Former GIANTS Netball shooter and dual premiership player with the Sunshine Coast Lightning Caitlin Bassett has announced she will be leaving the Super Netball league for the ANZ Premiership in 2021.
After two years with the club, the GIANTS have released Bassett from her three-year contract after confirmation the Origin Australian Diamonds Captain is not in the coach’s preferred starting seven.
In the first three years of the Super Netball league, Bassett was one of the league's most dominant shooters, leading the Grand Final winning Lightning in scoring in both 2017 and 2018 and being named the 2018 Grand Final MVP.
But Bassett struggled for consistent court time behind shooters Jo Harten and Kiera Austin during the 2020 season, prompting the decision for her and the club to part ways.
GIANTS Netball Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald said: “Caitlin and I had some open and honest discussions at the back half of the season and we both agree that the time is right for her to explore other opportunities.”
“Caitlin has made an enormous contribution to netball in this country and I think she’ll thoroughly enjoy the environment of Magic and netball in New Zealand. We thank Caitlin for her contribution to growing GIANTS Netball and wish her all the best in the next chapter of her career.”
Bassett made the decision to play in the ANZ Premiership to ensure that she continued to progress on court and develop her game, and she remains committed to the Origin Diamonds program.
“I’ve had great conversations with key people within the Diamonds programs and we all agree that court time is essential for my development,” she said.
“My intention is to be a key part of our Birmingham Commonwealth Games team in 2022, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the squad while playing for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic next year.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to head to New Zealand and join the Magic. To experience the game in another country and play alongside and against some of the world’s best netballers is a really exciting challenge and valuable experience for me.
“I’ve spoken with coach Amigene Metcalfe and I’m really excited by her vision for the club and the role I can play in developing the team. We have a team capable of playing finals, and I can’t wait to meet everyone and start playing in front of a Kiwi crowd.
“I’m sad to say goodbye to the GIANTS, and I’d like to thank my teammates, the coaching staff, corporate partners and all of the fans for their continued support, and I wish them all of the best for next season.”
