Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett has quit Suncorp Super Netball, announcing she was leaving Australia's domestic competition to take up a deal in New Zealand.
The extraordinary news comes at the end of a frustrating season for the champion goal shooter after she lost her place in the regular starting line-up for the Giants.
That has led to her decision to leave the Sydney-based club to take up an offer with the Waikato Bay of Plenty, which plays in New Zealand's ANZ Championship.
Bassett has taken up a one-season deal for 2021, but has the option of a second year.
It's a seismic decision that has rocked the national team, with Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich saying she was "disappointed".
Bassett was recently named in the Diamonds squad to take on New Zealand in a Constellation Cup series in early 2021.
"While we are disappointed that Caitlin has decided to leave our domestic competition, we acknowledge and value her contribution to the league over many years and respect her decision to move to the New Zealand competition," Marinkovich said.
"Caitlin is a valued member of the Origin Diamonds squad and we look forward to working with her and the rest of the group as we prepare for the resumption of international competition in 2021."
