Netball: Auckland weather baffles Diamonds newcomer

Former Mainlander Anna Scarlett can't get over Auckland's random weather. Picture / Richard Robinson

Auckland's nightmare traffic hasn't fazed Anna Scarlett, fitting into the Diamonds has been a breeze, but it's the City of Sails' "random weather" which has caused her the most grief since she moved north.

The Silver Ferns defender will don the blue and white of Auckland for the first time on Sunday in the Diamonds' opening match of the National Bank Cup against the Canterbury Flames at Trusts Stadium.

Having grown up in the tiny South Island town of Westport before heading to university in Dunedin, Scarlett moved to Auckland in January where she is completing the final stages of her physiotherapy degree.

She likes Auckland overall but said the Diamonds didn't warn her about the whole "four seasons in one day" weather.

"Today there was blue sky everywhere and I thought there was no way it was going to rain - a few minutes later it was raining. I have had to run out to the clothes line a fair few times since I have been here.

"At this time in my life it seemed a good move and a good place to be. I am not regretting it at all ... I am not sure how long I'll stay."

Scarlett is one of several Diamonds who have moved north from Otago - Anna Rowberry, Victoria Edward, Stephanie Bond, and Jo Morrison all played for the Rebels at some stage during their careers.

The move to Auckland reunites Scarlett with her long-time Otago teammate and friend Bond.

"I think Steph and I have a special bond," she laughs. "No pun intended."

While neither possesses the stature of, say, a Vilimaina Davu, the long, lean-limbed pair are extremely mobile and can disrupt any opposing attack.

Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins will be hoping the relationship solidifies quickly.

She doesn't have an abundance of defenders, with Rachel Rasmussen now five months pregnant and playing on a week-by-week basis, the withdrawal of Kathryn Harby-Williams, who is also pregnant, and the late change of heart by Jamaican Kasey Evering who was set to join the side.

But Hawkins will take some comfort from the fact that it is Scarlett and Bond she has on her team.

Scarlett, especially, is renowned for her determination and energy.

"I am looking forward to hopefully being able to change between the two inside circle positions [GK and GD] and even wing defence," Scarlett said.

"I think the defenders we have got have the talent and skill to play all three positions."

Blocking or jumping the shot has become part of Scarlett's game and she is keen to continue developing that in the competition.

The Silver Ferns are also investigating goal tending or jumping up by the 3.05m goal to block the ball - something Scarlett is keen to try.

She was a little way off from a standing jump.

"From a running jump, I'd probably have a bit more of a chance but there is a hell of a lot of timing in that."

Like most of the franchise teams, the Diamonds' build-up to the competition has been what Scarlett referred to as "a bit bitsy".

The Commonwealth Games meant the Silver Ferns were absent from most of the early training sessions and the Diamonds have had the added challenge of dealing with the late withdrawal of Harby-Williams and Jodi Te Huna through injury.

"We have had a few surprises and changes thrown in there," Scarlett said.

"They were early challenges but I think we have faced them and dealt with them really well. It is all good team-building."

Looking ahead to the competition Scarlett reckons she'd have a better chance of predicting Auckland's weather than this year's National Bank Cup winner.

"It is tough to pick an outstanding team. Each has their strengths, experience and youth. It should be a very interesting and fantastic competition."

* Anna Scarlett

Positions: GD, GK
Height: 1.87m
Born: Westport, April 15, 1983
Occupation: Student
Career highlights
2002-2006: Silver Ferns
2003: New Zealand under-21 team
National Bank Cup record
2006: Diamonds
2002-2006: Rebels

* * *

NATIONAL BANK CUP DRAW

Round one

Tomorrow: Magic v Sting in Hamilton 4pm*; Sunday: Rebels v Flyers, Dunedin, Force v Shakers, North Shore Diamonds v Flames, Auckland* all 1pm.

Round two, May 5-7

Saturday: Sting v Flyers, Invercargill*, Shakers v Magic, Wellington, both 4pm. Sunday: Flames v Force, Christchurch*, Diamonds v Rebels, Auckland, both 1pm.

Round three, May 12-14

Friday: Flames v Magic, Christchurch, Flyers v Shakers, Palmerston North, both 7.30pm. Saturday: Sting v Rebels, Invercargill 4pm. Sunday: Force v Diamonds, North Shore 1pm*

Round four, May 19-21

Friday: Magic v Flyers, Rotorua, 7.30pm. Saturday: Rebels v Flames, Dunedin, 4pm*. Sunday: Shakers v Diamonds, Wellington, Force v Sting, North Shore*, both 1pm.

Round five, May 26-28

Saturday: Flyers v Force, New Plymouth, Sting v Diamonds Invercargill*, both 4pm. Sunday: Flames v Shakers Christchurch*, Magic v Rebels, Hamilton, both 1pm

Round six, June 2-4

Friday: Flyers v Flames, Napier, 7.30pm. Saturday: Diamonds v Magic, Auckland, 4pm*. Sunday: Shakers v Sting, Wellington*, Force v Rebels, North Shore both 1pm.

Round seven, June 9-11

Saturday: Rebels v Shakers, Dunedin, Magic v Force, Tauranga, both 4pm. Sunday: Sting v Flames, Invercargill*, Flyers v Diamonds, Napier, both 1pm.

Semifinals, June 16-23

June 16: Semifinal one, first from round robin v second from round robin, 7.30pm*. June 18: Semifinal two, third from round robin v 4th from round robin, 1pm*. June 23: Semifinal three, loser semifinal one v winner semifinal two, 7.30pm*.

Final

June 30: Winner semifinal 1 v winner semifinal 3*

*Screening live on TV One.