Caitlin 'CBASS' Bassett is one of international netball's biggest names and one of the most inspirational leaders in women’s sport.
Caitlin was a relatively late arrival to netball, first taking to the court at age 11 when her primary school teacher suggested she had potential, given she stood 183cm (6 foot) tall by Grade 6.
Bassett spent countless hours developing her attacking and defensive skills as she played in the backyard with her older sister. Starting out as a defender, she summoned up the courage to ask her coach for the chance to try out as Goal Shooter and the rest is history.
At age 14, Bassett made her first State team and made a vow to herself that she would make it as a professional netballer. Progressing through the junior ranks, she was selected for the Perth Orioles while still in Year 12 and debuted against Australian captain Liz Ellis at the tender age of 16 in what was a baptism of fire.
Caitlin has since gone on to win a long list of accolades, including two World Cups (2011 & 2015), a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal (2014) and two Suncorp Super Netball Championships (2017-18), whilst also being named International and World’s Best Netballer of the year in 2015 and the first Shooter to win the Liz Ellis Diamond Award.
A proud Australian, she has been Captain of the Diamonds since 2017 and in 2019 became just the fifth Australian to play 100 Tests.
Her performances under the brightest lights have earned her the reputation of being a big-game performer, scoring the winning goal in extra time of the 2011 World Championship Final and being named MVP in the 2018 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.
After 15 years of professional netball in Australia, Caitlin felt it was time for a fresh challenge and is making the move to New Zealand, where she will play for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the New Zealand ANZ Premiership domestic competition for the 2021 season, while still being a part of the Australian Diamonds national program.
Caitlin is known for her ability to get the best out of herself and her teammates on the netball court.
She is a passionate anti-bullying role model and as a self-proclaimed crazy animal lover, has a keen interest in animal protection and welfare.
She is also a die-hard coffee fan!
Bassett is close to finishing her Broadcast and Journalism degree, whilst building her media credentials and experience with regular panel appearances on Channel 9 and Fox Sports.
Active in the corporate world, Caitlin is an ambassador for Asics, Nissan, Hart Sports, Woolworths and Assistance Dogs Australia.
I feel particularly humbled because I’ve been chosen to lead by my peers and to think that my teammates actually want me to lead them is pretty inspiring and I definitely take confidence from that.
