Julie Corletto joins the Sky Sports Netball commentary team
Tuesday 5 January 2016 06:07, UK
World and Commonwealth gold medalist Julie Corletto will join the Sky Sports Netball commentary team for two of the England v Australia Test matches in January and in the Superleague season in 2016.
The Diamonds legend will be court-side to give her view on the young and exciting Australia team visiting this month and analyse Tracey Neville's latest crop of England stars during Sky Sports' inaugural Netball Month.
Julie will also be a regular pundit throughout the Netball Superleague season. We caught up with the 52-time capped international ahead of her Sky Sports debut.
What's it like to be living in the UK now but not playing in the Test Series?
To be honest, I'm excited that I get to see the Aussie Diamonds girls in action whilst I'm living over here in the UK. Not playing in a Test Series is something that I've experienced in the past with injuries that I have had throughout my career. Although I debuted for the Diamonds in 2007, I never played over in the UK until the Commonwealth Games last year as the previous UK trip I had been ruled out with injuries unfortunately.
You ended your career on a high winning the World Cup with Australia. Just how good was that squad and the current crop of players?
It was an incredible way to finish my career, winning the World Cup on home soil in front of my family, friends and so many passionate fans. That was such a special group of girls to be a part of, and something I will remember forever. In fact, I have so many great memories from my time in the Diamonds... it's the friendships you make along the way that make it so special. It's an amazing feeling every time you pull on the Green and Gold Dress and any time you do, you are willing to do anything for the girls standing next to you. We are sisters and always will be.
Which Diamonds players should netball fans be looking out for in this three-match Series?
I think the Diamonds coming through to keep an eye on would have to be the six players in the squad of 12 that are aged 25 and under. It's exciting for Australian Netball having such depth coming through at a young age. Paige Hadley and April Brandley (nee Letton) have both been members of the Diamonds on previous occasions in 2013 and for Hadley at the World Cup in 2015.
It was great to see the inclusion of Gabi Simpson, someone who I have had my eye on for a long time now alongside Jo Weston and Grettel Tippett, who all debuted for the Diamonds in the 2015 Constellation Cup. And for the January UK tour, keep an eye on the new Diamond coming through in Liz Watson... she has a bright future ahead of her.
What do you make of the England side you played last year and the squad that will play in January? Have you seen a strong improvement in the English game over the years?
I have noticed a strong improvement in the English game over the past couple of years now. A game that I remember fondly is the game from the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, when we only won by one goal. That was such a tough game, I think it was a great game for Netball in general and had many people talking about our great sport. I think it's fantastic to see the youth coming through from both England and Australia.
England have seven girls taking a break from the World Netball Cup team so therefore have quite a new line-up. And Australia are similar, having only six girls in the team that competed in the World Netball Cup. I'm excited to see both teams in action and the new generation of players coming through.
