Opportunity for triallists to shine is now
August 15, 2016
Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby has some hard decisions to make over the next few days – due to announce her first team on Wednesday.
The Silver Ferns triallists entered camp this morning in Auckland and will be eager to put their best foot forward with the lure of wearing the Black Dress in the Netball Quad Series and New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy on the line.
Southby and the national selectors have been keen observers during the ANZ Championship and Beko Netball League, keeping their eyes on current and future prospects.
“There have been some players who have stood up and I think that’s really exciting and then there are some players who haven’t had the best of seasons and now they’ve got the opportunity at trials to show what they can do in the Silver Ferns environment,” Southby said.
“The Beko Netball League has been a vital addition to our calendar. I look forward to it continuing to build and help prepare our future talent so they’re ready to be knocking on the door of the ANZ Netball Elite League.”
GET TICKETS: Netball Quad Series – blockbuster double header at Vector Arena, Saturday 27 August.
Southby says the shooting end is a priority, with the need to build depth at that end of the court.
“There are some young players who have been given the opportunity to see where they’re at and learn,” she said.
“The reality is we are only ever one injury away or a retirement away and one of these younger players could be the next port of call.
“It’s exposing them now so that when they do get the call they’re ready.”
Southby admits there’ll be some tough decisions to make this week, as they narrow down to the 12 players who will represent the Silver Ferns in the Netball Quad Series.
“There is real competition in the midcourt – we’ve got some tough decisions to make and that’s a great place to be as a coach,” she said.
“Defensively, we’re in a transition period with some players who have been performing for the Silver Ferns for a number of years and a number of younger ones who are starting to push - that is great for competition in the squad.
“There are also some real opportunities in the shooting end and that excites me because we’ve got some players who have shown in the last six months to a year what they’re capable of.”
GET TICKETS: Netball Quad Series v SPAR Proteas, Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, Wednesday 31 August.
Southby points to the growing number of opportunities in the programme over the next 12 months for players to gain experience on the international stage with the Silver Ferns, NZA, FAST5 Ferns and NZ U21 team as vital.
“There are plenty of opportunities for some of those fringe players to really experience what it’s like to play international Netball, to tour and be part of our environment,” Southby said.
“This next six months for me is to get clarity around who the people are, where the gaps are and what work we have to do.
“And we have to do that quickly because the reality is that the Commonwealth Games are under two years away.”
The Silver Ferns triallists entered camp this morning in Auckland and will be eager to put their best foot forward with the lure of wearing the Black Dress in the Netball Quad Series and New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy on the line.
Southby and the national selectors have been keen observers during the ANZ Championship and Beko Netball League, keeping their eyes on current and future prospects.
“There have been some players who have stood up and I think that’s really exciting and then there are some players who haven’t had the best of seasons and now they’ve got the opportunity at trials to show what they can do in the Silver Ferns environment,” Southby said.
“The Beko Netball League has been a vital addition to our calendar. I look forward to it continuing to build and help prepare our future talent so they’re ready to be knocking on the door of the ANZ Netball Elite League.”
GET TICKETS: Netball Quad Series – blockbuster double header at Vector Arena, Saturday 27 August.
Southby says the shooting end is a priority, with the need to build depth at that end of the court.
“There are some young players who have been given the opportunity to see where they’re at and learn,” she said.
“The reality is we are only ever one injury away or a retirement away and one of these younger players could be the next port of call.
“It’s exposing them now so that when they do get the call they’re ready.”
Southby admits there’ll be some tough decisions to make this week, as they narrow down to the 12 players who will represent the Silver Ferns in the Netball Quad Series.
“There is real competition in the midcourt – we’ve got some tough decisions to make and that’s a great place to be as a coach,” she said.
“Defensively, we’re in a transition period with some players who have been performing for the Silver Ferns for a number of years and a number of younger ones who are starting to push - that is great for competition in the squad.
“There are also some real opportunities in the shooting end and that excites me because we’ve got some players who have shown in the last six months to a year what they’re capable of.”
GET TICKETS: Netball Quad Series v SPAR Proteas, Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, Wednesday 31 August.
Southby points to the growing number of opportunities in the programme over the next 12 months for players to gain experience on the international stage with the Silver Ferns, NZA, FAST5 Ferns and NZ U21 team as vital.
“There are plenty of opportunities for some of those fringe players to really experience what it’s like to play international Netball, to tour and be part of our environment,” Southby said.
“This next six months for me is to get clarity around who the people are, where the gaps are and what work we have to do.
“And we have to do that quickly because the reality is that the Commonwealth Games are under two years away.”