Brown ready to shine with Diamonds

West Coast Fever midcourter Shae Brown will leave nothing in the tank at this week’s Australian Diamonds camp.

A preliminary 18-strong World Cup squad has gathered in Canberra for the three-day camp, with five Fever players — Caitlin Bassett, Nat Medhurst, Ashleigh Brazill, April Letton and Khao Watts — in that group.

But Brown, one of five other players invited to join the camp, is determined to make an impression and challenge for one of the 12 spots in the final squad for the World Cup in August.

“I’m pretty excited and really grateful for the opportunity,” Brown said.

“I want to go over and support the girls from my team to show them off in a way.

“I’m going to give it a crack and go in there with everything I’ve got, but I really do want to support all my teammates.”

Having nearly given the game away two years ago, Brown is thankful she remained committed.

“It was a dream when I was younger to play with the Diamonds,” she said.

“But I’ve been 10 years playing at this level now so it was one of those ones where I had forgotten about Diamonds a few years ago and really was just focusing on Fever.

“To get the call from (coach) Lisa Alexander really awakened those feelings.

“I am so grateful that I have stuck it out. Every time I go to training there’s another good memory made.”

Brown said she would be hurting over the next two weeks as Fever wait to avenge their first loss of the season to Queensland Firebirds at Perth Arena last Friday.

“We haven’t had a loss yet this season, including pre-season,” she said.

“For us, this is going to be a chance to go back and see what we need to work on.

“I’m glad that some of these weakness have been revealed now, so we can go back to the track and work on those heading into what we hope will be finals.”

West Coast have the bye this weekend and then take on Melbourne Vixens away on May 17.

Fever still sit on top of the Australian conference with a record of eight wins, one loss and one draw, but are still yet to confirm a maiden finals appearance.

“I’m really glad we have this break now,” Brown said.

“Watch out, because I reckon next round we’re just going to come out firing.”