The Australian FastNet Diamonds finished a disappointing fourth at the recent World Netball Series in England.
However, the up-and-coming netballers showed their strength and skill, considering this was the same position that our best netballers finished in last year.
Coach Norma Plummer was unable to send her more experienced side due to a forced break after the recent Commonwealth Games.
Our World Number One Ranking Threatened
With an agonising loss to New Zealand in the recent gold medal playoff at the Commonwealth Games and now the fourth ranking at the World Netball Series, it begs the question is Australia still ranked number one in the world. The Kiwis also won the World Netball Series and are starting to dominate the Australian netballers.
Yet in the ANZ Championship, Australian teams are clearly on top with a New Zealand side yet to win the title. In the inaugural year, the NSW Swifts were victorious then the Melbourne Vixens in 2009 and the Adelaide Thunderbirds this year.
So why are the Aussies losing ever so slightly in matches against the Kiwis? We have some of the world's best netballers living in this country, most notably is the Australian Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon, who is an absolute superstar.
Yes, the Kiwis have more experience than our current Diamonds team and they have Irene van Dyk, a real veteran of the sport, but the Aussies have a lot more depth than the Silver Ferns.
But, maybe this is our problem. It wasn't until the last moment before the final Australian Diamonds team was selected for the Commonwealth Games. Granted it would be a very difficult decision to choose the final squad, but maybe our players needed more of an opportunity to play together and get to know each other's games before coming up against New Zealand in major titles like the Commonwealth Games.
Silver Ferns Receive More Support Than the Diamonds
It must also be taken into consideration that the Silver Ferns and Kiwi netballers in general receive a hell of a lot more support than their Australian counterparts. In New Zealand, netballers are close second behind footballers in terms of support. Yet, here in Australia, netball continues to struggle to receive the recognition it deserves. It is a lot better than what it used to be but still maybe if Australia got behind their players more, we may see our netballers step up that little bit more and once again be a real dominant force on the world netball side. They sure deserve it.
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