Aus netball eye Cup defence, bright future

While Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander has a close eye on the current crop of netball talent - she is also looking to a more diverse future for the sport.

Alexander and her fellow selectors will be monitoring the performance of players in the first five rounds of the Super Netball competition, before finalising Australia's World Cup squad in late May.

"You'd really love to pick the team the final moment before you leave but that's not possible," she told AAP.

"It is what it is, we'll just go on the form of the first five rounds, looking at them very carefully and closely."

A strong performance from the Vixens caught Alexander's eye during round one and she was impressed by the Thunderbirds, who ended their 27-game losing streak.

"The young players in particular really impressed me - Sasha Glasgow was very impressive for the Thunderbirds, she really anchored that end, and she has a really nice combination with Maria Folau," Alexander said.

"And, of course, Shamera Sterling was quite amazing in the way she was able to get the ball back."

Alexander was also "pleasantly surprised" by Diamonds captain Caitlin Basset.

The sharpshooter played for the second time since she injured her arm during a practice match in January.

"She'll just get better and better for the Giants the more she gets out," Alexander said.

While Alexander is firmly focused on the task ahead in Liverpool, she's also helping shape the next generation of netballers through the 2019 Australia Post One Netball Community Awards.

The awards recognise individuals, clubs and associations that are creating inclusive and welcoming netball environments.

Alexander admits more could be done to include young women from all backgrounds in the sport.

"I think we could always do better, particularly in our Indigenous community we certainly could make things easier for more Indigenous players to play netball - I know the AFL, for example, have been doing quite a good job," she said.

"It would also be nice to see more Sudanese, African communities playing netball, more of the Muslim community playing.

"The more that we can show netball is a sport for everybody - that everyone is included and it doesn't matter what race, religion or gender you are - the better."