Vixens dominate national selection

Exciting midcourter Hannah Mundy has earned her first national selection at age 22, alongside established Diamonds Kiera Austin, Sophie Garbin, Jo Weston and Vixens captain Kate Moloney.

Mundy has been playing consistent minutes in recent weeks, sitting fifth in the league for goal assists despite missing the first two rounds with injury.

The squad features 18 athletes, and two invitees have also been announced as part of Netball Australia’s commitment to grow squad depth. Invitees will join the squad at all training camps over the next 12 months in an opportunity to showcase their skills and capabilities within the Diamonds environment.

In-form defender and Vixens vice captain Emily Mannix returns to the Diamonds fold as an invitee, after debuting in the green and gold in 2017.

The 30-year-old has been in stunning form in SSN, spending time both in her traditional position of goal keeper and pushing out to goal defence as the team covers the void left by stalwart wing defence Kate Eddy, sidelined with a leg injury.

Mannix sits third in the league for both intercepts and gains, behind only Thunderbirds teammates Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey.

Six athletes selected in the national squad is a remarkable achievement for head coach Simone McKinnis’ side, reward for an unwavering commitment to nurturing local talent and investing in the Victorian pathway.

“We’re incredibly proud to have so many of our athletes selected in the Diamonds squad,” said General Manager High Performance & Pathways, Megan Simpson.

“We know how hard our athletes work on and off the court, and it’s pleasing to see their efforts rewarded with recognition in the national program.

“Netball Victoria’s priority is the growth and performance of our pathway, and our Vixens athletes becoming Diamonds is the ultimate marker of success for our program.

“It’s also a great reflection of the quality of our system and our support staff – the team that enables our athletes to perform at their best each week.

“Kiera, Sophie, Kate, Jo, Hannah and Emily each play such an important role in our team, and our whole Vixens family will be cheering them on every step of the way when they move into the Diamonds environment at the end of the SSN season.”

2024-25 ORIGIN AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS SQUAD

Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever/Western Australia)
Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens/New South Wales)
Courtney Bruce (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Western Australia)
Sophie Dwyer (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
Ash Ervin (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
Sophie Garbin (Melbourne Vixens/Western Australia)
Matilda Garrett (Adelaide Thunderbirds/Victoria)
Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts/New South Wales)
Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds/South Australia)
Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts/South Australia)
Cara Koenen (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
Hannah Mundy (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
Amy Parmenter (Melbourne Mavericks/New South Wales)
Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
Donnell Wallam (Queensland Firebirds/Western Australia)
Liz Watson (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Victoria)
Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)

ORIGIN AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS INVITEES

Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds/South Australia)
Emily Mannix (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)