The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic have secured arguably one of the biggest signings in ANZ Premiership history, with Australian Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett joining the team for the 2021 season.
A winner of two Netball World Cups and one Commonwealth Games gold medal, Bassett will become the first Diamond to compete in the ANZ Premiership since the competition split to either side of the Tasman.
"It's an exciting challenge for me and I'm really looking forward to packing up and moving across," Bassett tells Newshub.
The introduction of the two-point 'super shot' in the Australian domestic competition this season has seen her become redundant for her Sydney-based Giants club, meaning the timing was right to make the move that's been rumoured since last month.
She even missed the Grand Final and was seen sitting in the stands, instead of with her teammates on the bench, with the Giants coaches preferring goal-shoots capable of making long distance shots.
Recently appointed Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich, who named Bassett in her 2020/21 squad, says she hoped to convince Bassett to stay in Australia, but her pleas were unsuccessful.
Magic were granted an exemption from the ANZ Premiership to sign Bassett, as fellow shooter Chiara Semple has previously represented England's U21 team at the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup.
"There's some attractiveness in terms of what she'll bring to the competition interest wise... and the ability to have our NZ defenders to play against her," says Netball NZ's Kate Agnew.
Magic head coach Amigene Metcalfe says she's thrilled to have the chance to work with the 1.96m shooter, who is regarded as one of the world's best.
"The entire team is really excited to have Caitlin join the Magic family," says Metcalfe. "She brings a lot of experience and knowledge of the game which will be extremely beneficial.
"Our wider netball community will also have the opportunity to see a superstar in action which will bring huge value to our sport."
Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty chief executive Rohan West said they're delighted to sign Bassett, as they look to improve on their two-win season in 2020.
"Caitlin is a huge signing for the Magic and we're excited by everything she'll add to our shooting circle," he says.
"As a club, we can see that the wealth of experience that Caitlin brings will benefit our young shooters coming through with the opportunity to learn from one of the best."
The Magic finished last in the 2020 ANZ Premiership season.
