Australian Netball Diamonds coach Norma Plummer has today named a 22-player national squad that boasts enviable depth and versatility as she prepares for the 2009 International program and beyond.

With an even blend of youth and experience, the 2009/10 Diamonds squad includes six fresh faces alongside athletes of the calibre of vice captain Natalie von Bertouch and captain Sharelle McMahon, who is back to career best form.

“I am really pleased with the squad and it is vital for us to have such depth,” Plummer explained.

“There have been some disappointments, but with the strength of the competition the selection panel had to select on current form and who we believed really deserved to make the squad.”

ANZ Championship Grand Finalists Melbourne Vixens and the Adelaide Thunderbirds have six representatives each in the squad, while the dramatically improved West Coast Fever has five of its players included.

Emily Beaton (Thunderbirds), Shae Bolton (Fever), Johannah Curran (Fever), Chelsey Nash (Vixens) and Joanne Sutton (Thunderbirds) are all first time inclusions, while Madison Browne (Fever) returns after a year out of the squad.

“Once again it is about making everyone very aware that times are changing and there are new faces coming in. If players want to make the Commonwealth Games or World Championships they have to take on board the competition within the group to make selection,” Plummer explained.

“It is healthy from a coach’s point of view and I think some of the senior players would be more aware of that than the younger players who are coming in and have nothing to lose.”

With nine Test matches and the World Netball Series to be played in 2009, Plummer and her selectors looked particularly closely at the centre court positions.

“We have seven players in this squad across the mid court and have stacked this area more than before. We really believe there are a few players on a par there and that wing attack position in particular is up for grabs.”

The shooting positions will also be hotly contested with seven talented shooters selected, all except McMahon who was injured, made an Australian team in 2008.

Despite an outstanding season with the Melbourne Vixens, champion centre Natasha Chokljat did not apply for international duties, nor did another former Australian representative Laura von Bertouch, while Rebecca Bulley, Kimberley Purcell, Vanessa Ware and Clare McMeniman have been omitted from the 2008/09 squad.