Netball: Silver Ferns put spotlight on defence

By JULIE ASH

The national selectors have identified defence as an area needing attention before the next world championships.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken and fellow selectors Te Aroha Keenan, Adrianne Hayes and Annette Heffernan have spent the week at the national provincial championships at Mystery Creek.

After tonight's final they will name a New Zealand squad of 18, an academy side, an under-21 squad and an under-21 team to play Australia next month. An umpires squad will also be announced.

"Across the board there have been some really exciting games," Keenan said.

"Possibly more at the junior level we need taller defenders ... At the senior level I think all the positions are covered.

"But I think at junior level we have to look at what if Vilimaina Davu is not there in a few years, and who we have coming through. I believe defence is an area where we must do a bit of work."

With all 12 world championship Silver Ferns available for selection, just six positions remain in the squad.

Throw in last year's New Zealand squad members Victoria Edward, Joline Henry, Amigene Metcalfe and Jenny-May Coffin, and just two places remain.

"I suppose the bench mark is those Silver Ferns that came back from the world tournament and the standard of their play," Keenan said. "So if we were to look at individuals we would be comparing it to that.

"There is always going to be that gap to the next level, so it is what we do to bring them up to that next level that is important."

The Silver Ferns squad will meet for a camp early next year before their first international in March. An opponent is yet to be confirmed.



Keenan said: "If we are really planning for the future we need to be saying, 'What do we need to win a tournament in four years' time and who are the players'."

* Christchurch, Palmerston North and Hamilton will be the venues for the test series against Australia next year.

The tests will be at the Westpac Stadium in Christchurch on June 30, Manawatu Stadium on July 2 and Mystery Creek on July 5.

Dates and venues for a three-test series in Australia in October next year are yet to be confirmed.

The National Bank Cup will begin on April 17, with a final on June 18.

The provincial championships will be in Palmerston North from September 19 to 25.