'We want trophies': The Diamonds coach embracing pressure in pursuit of history

The Australian netball team, known as the Diamonds, faces immense pressure to win, a standard upheld for decades. Coach Stacey Marinkovich understands this weight as she leads the squad into the upcoming Commonwealth Games campaign.

This team is striving for a historic achievement: defending both the Commonwealth Games and World Cup titles in successive major tournaments. Marinkovich acknowledges the immense challenge, especially with a compressed preparation window, while the international competition intensifies.

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I think this is the most intense, most competitive international netball has been. For us, we've got our feet firmly on the ground because we have lost to an England in the past, and a Jamaica and a New Zealand. So it's actually understanding that on any given day, if you don't turn up, you're in trouble.

"I think this is the most intense, most competitive international netball has been," Marinkovich stated. She highlighted past losses to England, Jamaica, and New Zealand, underscoring the need for consistent performance. "For us, we've got our feet firmly on the ground because we have lost to an England in the past, and a Jamaica and a New Zealand. So it's actually understanding that on any given day, if you don't turn up, you're in trouble."

Marinkovich, who grew up loving the game and idolizing Australian greats, now carries the responsibility of protecting Australia's netball legacy. She often speaks of evolution, collaboration, and connection, principles shaped by her lifelong involvement in the sport. The coach's ambition and drive, noted by her father since childhood, are now directed towards overcoming significant coaching challenges, such as molding a national team into a championship outfit with limited time together.

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When she was young, in her first couple of training sessions, she asked about joining the Australian team. She's always had that ambition and drive, more so than any other kid I've known.