Fire stars named to World Cup camp
JCU Townsville Fire stars Darcee Garbin and Tess Madgen are one step closer to realising their World Cup dream after earning selection to the Opals’ up-coming selection camp in Canberra.
Earlier today, the pair were named in an extended squad for the Chemist Warehouse Opals, with 20 players vying for 12 berths at next month’s showpiece tournament in Spain.
Garbin and Madgen will attend the week-long training camp at the AIS from August 10 to 17 before the final squad is announced ahead of the World Cup from September 22 to 30.
While Madgen narrowly missed selection at the 2014 World Cup in Turkey and the 2016 Rio Olympics, the dynamic playmaker made a successful return to Opals duties during last month at the Four Nations tournament in China.
Garbin also got her first taste at senior level at the same tournament as she helped lead the Opals to a 5-1 record.
“A year ago I would not have even imagined that I would be in a position to contend for a spot at the World Cup,” Garbin said.
“I’m happy to be in the squad but definitely hungry to get into camp and to see what I can do and hopefully make the team.”
Since shifting from Perth to Townsville, Garbin has played a key role in the Fire’s dynasty, helping the club to the 2015/16 and 2017/18 WNBL titles.
The power forward looked right at home in an Opals singlet as she top-scored against Argentina on debut before holding her own throughout the tournament.
With a handful of WNBA players missing the selection camp due to their U.S commitments including three-time Fire championship winner Cayla George, Garbin will be given further opportunity to press her claims.
“I haven’t been involved in a selection camp like this before,” Garbin said.
“You want everyone to do well, but you are competing for a spot when you are on the court.”
Head Coach Sandy Brondello will monitor the camp remotely due to her own WNBA coaching commitments with Phoenix, but remains excited about the Opals’ camp.
Former Fire coach Chris Lucas has been drafted into the camp to help assist in Brondello’s absence.
“With the World Cup less than two months away, every training session is vital in order to be in our best shape and improve on areas at both ends of the floor,” Brondello said.
“The coaches have highlighted a number of things to work on from the China tour and this selection camp gives us a great opportunity to do so.”
World Cup squad: Rebecca Allen, Steph Blicavs, Alex Bunton, Liz Cambage, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Kelsey Griffin, Alice Kunek, Tessa Lavey, Tess Madgen, Ezi Magbegor, Lauren Mansfield, Leilani Mitchell, Jenna O’Hea, Nicole Seekamp, Alanna Smith, Steph Talbot, Tahlia Tupaea and Sami Whitcomb.