Lead-in work key for Silver Ferns
Pre-tournament preparation combined with their execution during pool play will go a long way to determining the Silver Ferns fortunes at Netball World Cup 2023 to be hosted in Cape Town from July 28 - August 6.
As defending champions, there is an air of expectation hovering over the Silver Ferns ahead of the fast-approaching 16th edition of the World Cup and for coach Dame Noeline Taurua nailing the early work will be pivotal.
“I think there is pressure that goes along with whether you’re defending or not, but the messaging we’d like to put across is that we’re out there to win, like everybody else,” she said.
“We don’t believe we have ownership of that cup (title), and the cup now belongs to everybody.
“Every game’s going to be tough and that mentality to win every game is paramount. So, nothing is guaranteed at all.’’
Since the naming of the team, the crucial first phase is being put to the test during a concerted and intense 50-day build-up across several camps. No stone is being left unturned while the Silver Ferns prepare under pressure for the rigours of tournament play, including a range of scenarios that could crop up at the event.
From there, the first real examination of the Silver Ferns progress will come in pool play. With the 16 teams split across four pools, the Silver Ferns will meet Uganda, Trinidad and Tobago and Singapore in round robin play with the top three progressing to Preliminary Stage 2.
Uganda, one of the most improved teams on the world stage in recent years, and Trinidad and Tobago will give provide the Silver Ferns a decent challenge during the early stages.
“When we played Uganda in the Commonwealth Games, they certainly gave us a tickle. For our players, it was a different type of style and one we weren’t used to, so we got run to the wire,” Taurua said.
“Trinidad and Tobago are similar with their Caribbean style of being really tough on the ball, so our ability, once again, to withstand the physicality combined with our ability to contest will be important.
“For us, every game is really important to show that we are improving as we build, hopefully, towards the end.
“So, what we do, how we approach every game is really important and if we do that right, then by the time we get to the end, then we just play.”
Australia, Jamaica and England stand out as the Silver Ferns main obstacles in the race to the title but long shots South Africa, Malawi and Uganda, all playing on their home continent, can’t be under-estimated in what will be the most competitive World Cup to date.
“Australia are No 1 because they are the best and you can’t deny the consistency of their ability to perform under intense pressure,’’ Taurua said.
“What we’ve got to be mindful of is that everybody has the opportunity to put out a good performance each time they go out on court. You can’t pinpoint just one opposition.”
The Silver Ferns will play the opening match of the tournament at the Cape Town International Convention Centre against Trinidad and Tobago on July 28.
Chasing their own slice of history, the Silver Ferns have never won back-to-back World Cup titles.