Sarah Klau Retained in Australian Diamonds’ Constellation Cup Squad Following Assault Plea

Sarah Klau has secured her place in the Australian Diamonds’ Constellation Cup squad after recently pleading guilty to an assault charge.

Klau was included in the Diamonds’ 14-player squad named on Tuesday, less than a week after Netball Australia (NA) imposed sanctions on the goalkeeper for breaching its code of conduct.

The 31-year-old was handed a $5,000 fine and a two-game ban – suspended for 12 months – after the sport’s national governing body found she had failed to behave in a professional manner and engaged in conduct that brought the game into disrepute.

Klau fronted Sydney’s Downing Centre court earlier in September over a common assault charge on 7 June. She had kicked a security guard in the back outside a pub in Sydney’s eastern suburbs when she was denied entry due to being too intoxicated.

She pleaded guilty to one charge of common assault. No conviction was recorded and that matter was dismissed by the courts on 3 September.

The NSW Swifts player had reportedly attended a Sydney Swans AFL match, a day after an ongoing leg injury ruled her out of the remainder of the Super Netball season.

Klau, who represented Australia on 67 occasions since her debut in 2019, had failed to disclose the matter to NA before the Commonwealth Games in July, resulting in the sanctions, which also include completing additional education.

Diamonds vice-captain Kate Moloney said she had not spoken to Klau since the punishment was rendered by NA but had checked in with messages.

“Sarah has apologised to the group and is extremely remorseful for what’s happened,” Moloney said.

“Obviously, it’s not behaviour that we want to see from our Australian Diamonds.”

Sophie Dwyer also retained her place after the Commonwealth Games debutant missed her after-the-siren shot in a nightmare semi-final loss to Jamaica.

The Sydney Sirens shooter was left on the bench in Australia’s bronze-medal win over England in Glasgow.

The core of coach Stacey Marinkovich’s team remains the same from the Games, although Jo Weston was a notable absentee as her workload is managed.

Jessie Grenvold, Amy Parmenter, and Donnell Wallam return to the side after travelling to Glasgow as reserves.

Grenvold is yet to make her Diamonds debut after earning her first call-up in May following a breakout defensive season for the Melbourne Mavericks.

The Constellation Cup begins on October 18, with the Diamonds travelling to Auckland to take on the new Commonwealth Games champions.

Diamonds captain Liz Watson knows the Silver Ferns will be brimming with confidence and belief after winning gold in Glasgow.

“We haven’t had the best track record over in New Zealand, so we’ll have to start really strong,” Watson said.

Australia squad: Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Jessie Grenvold, Georgie Horjus, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price, Donnell Wallam, Liz Watson.

Source link