Netball: The magnificent seven

Donna Loffhagen has been a loyal servant to the Sting.

Seven reasons why the Sting could make it seven titles in a row in Invercargill tonight:


1. Coach Robyn Broughton

Broughton has been at the helm of the franchise since its inception in 1998. Clearly there is something about her personality and coaching style that appeals to players, not only in the Sting side but also her little Verdon High School team, who continually punch above their weight in the national secondary schools competition.

Broughton, who was Yvonne Willering's assistant when she was Silver Ferns coach, tends not to chop and change players frequently and admits she is "not confrontational".

She makes her training sessions interesting and is very clever at creating drills. After analysing her side's performance on court, Broughton will turn up at training with a drill she has devised to eradicate what they are doing wrong and to encourage them to think about other options.

The Sting's ability to stay composed under pressure is a direct result of Broughton's coaching. She ends virtually every training session with a drill that forces her players to think under pressure, whether it be pretending they are three down with three minutes to play or one up with one minute to play.

Broughton knows how to get the best out of players and her cool, calm and caring demeanour is something many of the country's top players respond to.

2. Donna Loffhagen

Clearly one of the most talented female athletes in the country, Loffhagen's passion, athleticism and ability to sink shots from anywhere in the shooting circle has made her a key factor in the Sting's success.

Her combination with Tania Dalton is one of the most accurate in the competition - a great asset in a game where the only way to earn points is to get the ball through the hoop.

Although she wears her heart on her sleeve, Loffhagen, a foundation member of the side from 1998, has the ability to turn it on under pressure.

Extremely mobile, she contributes to her side on attack and is equally as effective on defence.

While Loffhagen and Dalton have not been as dominant as in recent years - possibly the result of Dalton still being hampered by the knee she had reconstructed last year and Loffhagen coming into the competition fresh from a hectic basketball season in Australia - the pair are very much on form now.

With the possibility that tonight could be their last game - Dalton is contemplating retirement and Loffhagen is keen to pursue a basketball contract in the United States - expect a faultless performance from the dynamic duo.

3. Smart recruitment

It started when they lured then-Silver Fern captain Bernice Mene down to the deep south in 1998.

Since then a host of current and former Silver Ferns, not to mention Australian Natalie Avellino, who went on to force her way back into the national side, have followed.

Recruiting top players is something the Sting have mastered. Among their best investments have been Mene, Adine Wilson, Lesley Nicol, Dalton and Avellino.

Wilson, in particular, has proved to be a key cog in the Sting wheel. Her absence for three-quarters of this year's competition almost had the Sting missing out on a place in the semfinals.

Cool, calm and clinical, Wilson's athleticism is unmatched in the competition. Her timely return may just see the Sting on the winner's podium again.

4. Their style of play

Their ability to remain composed in pressure situations and play error-free netball seems to be the Sting's ticket to success.

While that may come from experience and the considerable amount of time they have spent together as a group, it is a characteristic that is unrivalled.

Under pressure the Magic struggle, the Force fall apart, the Diamonds lose focus.

There is nothing flashy about the way the Sting play, but they do the basics exceptionally well and rarely make mistakes. They might not dazzle but they impress with their meticulous execution.

5. Physical and mental toughness

Lining up against the Sting, you can expect to come away with more than a few bruises. Relentless on defence on and off the ball, the southerners have no intention of giving their opponents an inch.

Once again, and possibly as a result of their experience, the Sting players are mentally tough. While they could all earn Oscar nominations for their dramatic impressions on court, their focus is on one thing and one thing only - winning.

6. Money

Since the introduction of the franchise competition eight years ago, the Sting have received plenty of financial support from the Southland community. That combined with the gate-takings they reap from the capacity crowds who rock up to Stadium Southland every time they play has made them a wealthy little franchise. They use the money wisely to entice quality players to their side.

7. Southland

The Sting can lay claims to having the loudest and most loyal netball fans in the country. When 5000 fans jammed into Stadium Southland launch into the Sting song - which consists of "Go Sting, Go Sting, Go Sting" - and get their thunder sticks going, how could you not play like your life depended on it.