The Australian Diamonds have installed Caitlin Bassett as their next permanent captain, and the Sunshine Coast sharpshooter is expected to lead at next year's Commonwealth Games even if former skipper Laura Geitz returns.
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Bassett was selected by her peers as the 24th Diamonds leader in time for next weekend's Quad Series opener in Brisbane against England.
She'll be assisted by vice captains Madi Robinson and Gabi Simpson, while defender Sharni Layton has retained her place in the leadership group despite sitting out of the sport indefinitely with exhaustion.
Former captain Geitz hasn't played competitive netball since stepping away to have her first baby, but has flagged a possible return in time for the Commonwealth Games.
"For me I feel particularly humbled because I've been chosen by my peers," Bassett told Fairfax Media.
"To think that my teammates actually want me to lead them is pretty inspiring and I'll definitely take confidence from that.
"I've had the pleasure of working under Nat von Bertouch, Laura Geitz and Clare McMeniman and what I take from them is that personability and being yourself, I think that's really important.
"Geitzy and Clare are amazing leaders and I can't go out there and pretend to be them I just have to go there and be myself and bring what I bring to that leadership position.
"The girls know me, they know how I behave and they know what they're going to get from me. They chose me for those behaviours so I have to keep living them."
The Diamonds select their captain via an open leadership vote which models the Leading Teams process.
Her appointment caps a remarkable 12 months during which she helped Australia retain the Constellation Cup against New Zealand, won a Quad series and then capped her move from Perth to the Sunshine Coast with a premiership in the inaugural Super Netball competition.
"She has earned her place," Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said of Bassett's appointment.
"She made a courageous decision to move across the country for her sport, undergoing massive change. Sunshine Coast Lightning has assisted in the further advancement of her professionalism over the past 12 months."
The upcoming Quad Series will be Bassett's first assignment as leader before the Constellation Cup, another Quad Series and finally the Commonwealth Games.
"I've been to one Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and had an absolutely amazing experience there, to think it's in my own backyard, two hours from the Sunshine Coast is amazing and to play in front of a home crowd and to have that vibe it just adds something extra special," Bassett said.
"We can't get too far ahead of ourselves, these next series the Quad Series and the Constellation Cup, they're going to be really important lead ups for the Commonwealth Games."
