The Netball World Cup starts this Friday in Sydney. If you don't already know of Queensland's links to the tournament and its most successful team, we've got you covered.
Queenslander
Laura Geitz
Close to the most recognised face in Australian netball, Allora's Geitz will lead the Diamonds as they strive for an 11th world title. This is her first World Cup as captain, though she did lead the Aussie team to Commonwealth gold in Glasgow. One of the most successful captains in the ANZ Championships, Geitz will also be the side's defensive anchor, teaming up with the Swifts' Julie Corletto in the circle.
Adopted Queenslanders
Kim Ravaillion
The NSW-born Ravaillion was the first player to make the Diamonds before playing her first ANZ Championship game. She was signed up by the Firebirds for her domestic debut after that and has become a pivotal mid courter for the side, playing centre all season. Ravaillion's strength in both attack and defence is crucial for the side.
Bec Bulley
A Victorian-turned-Adelaide Thunderbird-turned-Queensland Firebird, Bec Bulley played a key defensive role in the Firebirds' championship win this season off the bench. Arguably the surprise selection of the World Cup squad, given her role with the Firebirds, but she believes her limited ANZ court time could work to her advantage during the 10-day tournament.
Nat Medhurst
Medhurst is another with a Queensland link, having partnered with Romelda Aiken in the shooting circle during their undefeated 2011 championship win. Medhurst was named the ANZ Championship MVP in that year. Victorian-born, Medhurst started her senior netball career with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, before a five-season stint with the Firebirds ended with a switch to the West Coast fever in 2013.
Queensland links behind enemy lines
Romelda Aiken
The growth of the Trans-Tasman competition has brought a number of imports to Australia and Romelda Aiken was arguably the trail-blazer. Among the most prolific ANZ Championship shooters, the Firebirds veteran will be a major threat for her usual teammates in the World Cup. Playing for Jamaica's Sunshine Girls, the combination between her and usual captain Laura Geitz could be one of the best of the tournament.
Vicki Wilson
She captained Australia and Queensland and also coached the Firebirds in the late noughties. Since 2013, she has been an assistant coach with the New Zealand Silver Ferns. The Kiwis will be hoping to buck a recent trend of Aussie wins in big matches, after losing the Commonwealth Games and World Championships in recent years.
Diamonds squad
Caitlin Bassett (WA/West Coast Fever)
Erin Bell (NSW/Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Rebecca Bulley (VIC/Queensland Firebirds)
Julie Corletto (VIC/NSW Swifts)
Laura Geitz (QLD/Queensland Firebirds)
Kimberlee Green (NSW/NSW Swifts)
Paige Hadley (NSW/NSW Swifts)
Renae Hallinan (VIC/Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Sharni Layton (VIC/NSW Swifts)
Natalie Medhurst (SA/West Coast Fever)
Kim Ravaillion (NSW/Queensland Firebirds)
Caitlin Thwaites (VIC/NSW Swifts).
Diamonds facts
Australia has won the most netball world titles (10), twice more than the next best, New Zealand's Silver Ferns (4).
Australia has hosted the tournament twice previously, in Perth (1967) and Sydney (1991).
A win in the 2015 World Cup would be Australia's equal-longest winning streak, after winning three championships in a row between 1991 and 1999.
Liz Ellis is the most-capped Diamonds player, with 122 caps.
She and Vicki Wilson are the two most experienced Diamonds World Cup campaigners, with four each.
