By Sophie Taylor
“The old girls, as Stacey refers to us as.”
For longtime Diamonds defenders Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston, the beginning of their international netball journey together feels like a whole world away.
With both players set to participate in their third Commonwealth Games together this year in Glasgow, their rock-solid connection in the defensive end will be a familiar sight for fans and spectators alike.
The duo first joined forces in the green and gold back in 2017.
“I'm very lucky because I feel like every time I don't get a ball, I just go, oh, Courtney's got that,” Weston said.
“I feel like the only reason I get any ball is because you work so hard out in front of me!” Bruce laughed.
Bruce touched on how the pair have grown up together, from “babies” at their debut Commonwealth Games in 2018 to the “experienced heads” now.
“The growth that we've both had from then to now, we were like the little Jessies (Grenvold, Diamonds invitee) that were thrown into what felt like the ring of fire, to now feeling like the real experienced heads,” she said.
“There’s been a lot of highs and a lot of lows, but it’s such a fun journey which started a long time ago for the two of us.”
While the duo made their Diamonds debuts in 2015 (Weston) and 2017 (Bruce) respectively, their defensive combination dates back to their teen years; talent identified within the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
Part of their time at the AIS encompassed the 2013 Netball World Youth Cup, which, fittingly, was held in Glasgow.
“We've been to Glasgow together before… silver medal though, don’t want to talk about that,” Weston laughed.
“It's actually quite cool to feel like our relationship has been developed from those years.
“We've never really had the chance to play at the same domestic club together, so it's been really nice that we've got to spend so much time (at Diamonds together).”
Bruce and Weston have experienced multiple gold medals together.
To Bruce and Weston, their longevity – both individually and as a combination – isn’t something they really focus on.
“You probably don't realise how long you've been in the program until some of the Diamonds fans remind you, which is actually a really nice thing,” Bruce explained, touching on interactions with the public at the Fan Farewell in Melbourne last week.
“For them to be like, ‘Hey, you're going to your third Commonwealth Games’, and I'm like, ‘Oh, I haven't actually thought about that’… it was a nice moment and a nice feeling to have.”
Weston agreed, explaining how the pride of representing her country at a pinnacle event is something that stays with her through every test and tournament.
“The time's gone by very quickly, but it's a huge honour every time,” she said.
“I feel like it's a real testament to our longevity being some of the fossils or veterans of the team.
“We've had a lot of shared memories, some elation, some disappointment as well, but it's been a really fun journey to share together and welcome other people on too.”
Both self-confessed foodies, Bruce and Weston admit some of their favourite tour moments have been spent away from the court.
“Joey and I love good food and good drinks,” Bruce said.
“Finding anywhere delicious to eat and just sit down and catch up, getting to explore a new city together has always been really enjoyable.”
“And enabling each other with shopping or beauty recommendations… as soon as one person finds a long pair of pants you best believe we’re all on it and matching,” Weston added.
That sense of connection off the court has helped build a partnership that extends further than their friendship.
The team has been building over the past few years, with a new cohort of Diamonds making their way into the squad and head coach Stacey Marinkovich adamant that every debutant in between has helped to build towards this pinnacle event.
That’s something both Bruce and Weston strongly believe in, and are focused on first and foremost their connections within the squad.
“We've probably lost a little bit of experience in a sense from the last Comm Games, we had Steph Fretwell and Ash Brazill, Gretel Bueta… some of those older heads, but I guess we've just filled those spots,” Bruce said.
Weston agreed.
“This group is super connected,” she said.
“You look at the people that are debuting at a Commonwealth Games, someone like Jamie-Lee Price or Sophie Garbin, two people that have been a part of our squad for such a long period of time.
The Diamonds Commonwealth Games preparation began well before they team was named in June.
“Even though it feels like it's going to be their first experience, because they've been a part of what Stacey and we've all been building for a long time, it doesn't really feel like anything’s changed.”
While neither player has ever lacked in skill, it’s other areas of their respective games that have seen growth throughout their playing careers.
“I’ve grown in confidence in my playing ability more than anything,” Bruce said.
“I've always trusted my instincts out on the court and backed myself in but just having that confidence to step up in high pressure moments and help lead the younger girls through the program.”
Weston said that spending so many years in the program has given her a lot of perspective.
“I've always been ultra-competitive, but being able to channel that in the most productive manner for the team has probably been one of my biggest growths,” she said.
“My ability to move on from things rather than fixate and be able to look outside of myself has been another big development.”
“We were so lucky that we had so many experienced heads when we first came in that imparted a lot of wisdom on us, and I feel like that's now my role to do for the young ones coming through,” Bruce finished.
Now in Glasgow and raring to go ahead of the Diamonds’ first match against Tonga on Saturday, both Bruce and Weston are excited for what’s to come.
“Once you get given all the uniform and you switch into being the Australian Commonwealth Games netball team, that’s a really cool moment,” Weston said.
Bruce agreed, with the community feel of being in the Australian team and amongst other athletes an exciting opportunity that was missed at the Covid-affected 2022 Games.
“It's always exciting when you actually get over there, when you get given the kit, and then you get to unpack it and unbox it and try everything on, and that really starts to get you in the feels of, ‘Oh my God, we're doing this, another Commonwealth Games’,” she said.
“It's not going to be a village like 2018, but there's going to be more of a sense of community than 2022.
“Being around other sports and teams is going to be a really fun experience.”
