Southby: ‘new caps are really exciting’
August 11, 2017
Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby says she is excited by the new caps in the Silver Ferns squad.
Southby announced her 16-player squad on Monday, with NZU21s shooter Monica Falkner and Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse midcourter Whitney Souness the only players yet to pull on the Black Dress.
It’s an opportunity they’ll both be in-line for with Souness named in the 12 for the Netball Quad Series and Falkner for the Taini Jamison Trophy.
“Both Monica and Whitney have played really well across the year and certainly challenged hard at trials,” Southby said.
“Whitney brings versatility in the midcourt; she’s got speed, vision, she’s adaptable and she is strong on her pass.
“Monica - we’ve watched her for a few years. She’s calm, turns and shoots, and she seems to relish that tight situation. I’m confident she has the makings of a great Silver Ferns shooter.”
With the Commonwealth Games just around the corner, Southby says they’ll need to build as much experience and confidence in the new squad as they can over the next couple of months.
“I don’t think you can ever replace experience, until they’ve had experience. The important thing for us is to give these players experience and that they build an understanding of what it takes to win on the world stage,” she said.
“We’ve got some older players in the group who have a lot of capability and a real enthusiasm. That’s the thing the young ones bring in – an energy and they just want to get out there and do it.
“Every game we play this year is an opportunity to build for the Commonwealth Games. We’re out there to win games but we have to make sure we have our process right so we put ourselves in the best possible position to win Gold.”
The Silver Ferns will open their 2017 international season against South Africa’s SPAR Proteas on Saturday 26 August at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre – full coverage will be provided live on SKY Sport.
PLUS, there are still great seats available to our home Test Matches against Australia and England – click here for more info.
Southby announced her 16-player squad on Monday, with NZU21s shooter Monica Falkner and Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse midcourter Whitney Souness the only players yet to pull on the Black Dress.
It’s an opportunity they’ll both be in-line for with Souness named in the 12 for the Netball Quad Series and Falkner for the Taini Jamison Trophy.
“Both Monica and Whitney have played really well across the year and certainly challenged hard at trials,” Southby said.
“Whitney brings versatility in the midcourt; she’s got speed, vision, she’s adaptable and she is strong on her pass.
“Monica - we’ve watched her for a few years. She’s calm, turns and shoots, and she seems to relish that tight situation. I’m confident she has the makings of a great Silver Ferns shooter.”
With the Commonwealth Games just around the corner, Southby says they’ll need to build as much experience and confidence in the new squad as they can over the next couple of months.
“I don’t think you can ever replace experience, until they’ve had experience. The important thing for us is to give these players experience and that they build an understanding of what it takes to win on the world stage,” she said.
“We’ve got some older players in the group who have a lot of capability and a real enthusiasm. That’s the thing the young ones bring in – an energy and they just want to get out there and do it.
“Every game we play this year is an opportunity to build for the Commonwealth Games. We’re out there to win games but we have to make sure we have our process right so we put ourselves in the best possible position to win Gold.”
The Silver Ferns will open their 2017 international season against South Africa’s SPAR Proteas on Saturday 26 August at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre – full coverage will be provided live on SKY Sport.
PLUS, there are still great seats available to our home Test Matches against Australia and England – click here for more info.