Makoura's coach says mental focus paramount

Makoura College are intent on taking the battle to Harcourts in Netball Wairarapa's premier one grand final at the Colombo Road courts in Masterton on Saturday.

A positive mindset is seen by coach Dayle Clarkson as an absolute must if Makoura College are to upset the defending champions - and she is confident her players will pass that test.

"Self-belief is important, they (Harcourts) are a very experienced unit and they will be looking to rattle us, mentally and physically," Clarkson said.

"If we let them get into our heads, we will be no show, if we stay composed there is no question we can win, none at all."

For all of the Makoura squad, this will be their very first premier one final and Clarkson is optimistic the nervous tension which goes with the big occasion won't adversely affect their performance.

"They are a close-knit lot who bond really well with each other and, hopefully, that will help them turn their nervous energy into something positive as well," she said. "And obviously they don't have the pressure of being favourites and I guess that's a help too."

Clarkson is not anticipating any surprises from Harcourts from a tactical viewpoint. She expects them to play their usual free-flowing style of netball and believes that will suit a Makoura College squad which themselves like to keep moving the ball at pace.

"It will all come down to error rate, on what effect the defensive ends have on the game.

"We have to focus on accuracy, of making sure we hit our targets.

"We know they will be in our faces and we have to cope with that, we simply can't afford to keep giving possession away."

The full Harcourts squad is: Kata Matapuku, Ana Garnet, Maddison Tufuga, Renee Hemara, Darien Walker, Bailey Pederson, Te Kapua Haira, Ngakita Matapuku, Kelly Highmarsh, Wikitoria Davidson.