Netball by Erin Smith and Kara Sonter 2nd May 2021 9:33 AM
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Subscriber only There are plenty of big names in the Hart Sapphire Series competition this year - we take a look at the top performers for each position. Netball Queensland s High Performance Manager helped compile the list of the top players to watch in this year s series. Goal Shooter Annabelle Lawrie have all re-signed with the Sunshine Coast Lightning as training partners ahead of 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season. Annabelle Lawrie - USC Thunder At just 20-years-old Gold Coast talent Annabelle Lawrie has already made her mark on the netball court.
Dream team: Who rates highest in the Sapphire Series dailymercury.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymercury.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The Thunderbirds finished last year in seventh.
The biggest surprise to come out of the Thunderbirds camp in the offseason was that co-captain and former Aussie Diamond and English Rose Chelsea Pitman was not offered a new contract. Another key loss for the Thunderbirds is the return of the doctor Layla Guscoth to England to re-join Team Bath Netball, be closer to family and friends and to further her medical career. Adelaide also did not re-sign the experienced Kate Shimmin.
The Sunshine Coast goal shooter was announced a part of the Australian Development Squad in 2019 and then elevated to the extended Diamonds squad at the end of last year.
Koenen isn’t the only one vying for a spot in the green and gold, with goal attack Steph Wood already a member of the squad.
The Diamonds squad will travel to Christchurch on February 15 where they will quarantine for 14 days.
Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich is looking forward to her first tour with the team.
“While the environment surrounding this tournament is unique, our team are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that our squad will be as prepared as they possibly can be to take on the Silver Ferns coming out of two weeks quarantine,” she said.