N.Z. experience has measure of Australians

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 36

N.Z. experience has measure of Australians

By

SALLY LINDSAY

The current netball series between New Zealand and Australia could assume more importance than just a question of national pride. New Zealand and Australia are joint holders of the world netball title; along with Trinidad-Tobago, and this series is being seen as more than friendly rivalry.

Although'New Zealand is one up in the three-test series, the coaches of both sides are intent on building up teams to contest the world championships in Singapore next year. Since the 1979 world championships. New Zealand has beaten Australia on its home ground in a three-way tournament with England, and also whitewashed England when it toured here last year. ' New Zealand, traditionally the stronger of the two countries at netball, still has the nucleus of the side which was victorious in 1979, but Australia is rebuilding.

New Zealand's experience, and controlled netball, has held it at the top, and the coach. Lois Muir, is hoping this will be enough to win the world title outright.

"New Zealand has the strength and depth of players and the netball scene is looking good." Mrs Muir said that although the team she has together for the current series is good, there are plenty of players knocking at the door, looking for a place. "There are a lot of good players out there, and there will be a lot who have improved by the time the trials are held for • a New Zealand team next year. ■ “New Zealand has a lot of young players and is using its money wisely to bring

them up to nip at the heels of those at the top. We're getting good competitive trials and this is keeping the standard high."

Mrs ■ Muir has been accused of being an unadventurous coach, but she counters This, pointing out that New Zealand is at the top. She . says while New Zealand may not be adventurous in its play, it plays a wellcontrolled game, and is a winning side.

“While other countries may play a faster game, use one-handed ball control and have more style, New Zealand still comes out on top.

“We do control the game more, and direct the play more, but it suits us. and hasn't stopped us winning.” Mrs Muir cannot see New Zealand's style of netball changing, but the tactics may differ from game to game.

"Why change a winning style? We are one of the top netball countries, and will be at the top of the next world championships." Mrs Muir said that while New Zealand has the high standard, it takes a lot of time, money and coaching to remain at the top, and more public support is needed. “I don't think netball has sold itself well, and one of the problems is the lack of comfortable spectator seating. If the public go away from a game and tell their friends they’ve been seated

in comfort, then were living." Mrs Muir feels if the game was taken inside, this would also help to make it more of a spectator's sport. She says while television is doing a good job. there is not .the atmosphere and the excitement of the court play. "The game is played so fast, television sometimes has trouble keeping up with it.

“We have to present the game well, seat the public in comfort, and get revenue back into it.

"Keeping a team at the top constantly costs money, and this is why we have to move more of the important games inside.” Only one of the games in the current series between Australia will be played inside. This is the second test at Palmerston North this evening. Mrs Muir said this was a pity, because , the New Zealand winter is too severe and probably scares away a lot of spectators from the outside games. She said Australian netball has the facilities for inside games, and this is with the country's better climate, ‘And Mrs Muir believes Australian netball will be. a force with which to be reckoned, within the next few years. “They have the Australian Institute of Sport, where 21 players can go .and study netball ■ .

"Australia also has the playing numbers and with

the institute it will strengthen the country’s netball in the long-term.” Australia’s coach, a former New Zealand netball captain, Pam Barham, agrees. “We're rebuilding at the moment after a lot of retirements last season, but. the team is shaping up well." Mrs Barham says the institute has only provided one player so far. but she is hoping it will become a valuable training ground in years to come. Mrs Barham said she has her work cut out before the world championships next year, as she has only one player from the 1979 championships. “The players I have are relatively inexperienced, but they’re all good, and should become world beaters.

“Playing New Zealand is good experience, and although the side is tough, we’re learning valuable lessons.” Mrs Barham says while the two countries' style of play is different, she doesn't see this changing. "Man-to-man marking is the Australian style of play and this won’t change: well just improve our tenacity on this type of defence. “I’m hoping the side will be able to mould itself to meet any kind of play at the world championships next year,” Mrs Barham said. She also believes variety of pass in a game is important. “My team met New Zealand’s zonal defence for the first time on Saturday, and it gave them a fright, but I don’t think the long passing we tried should change.” The Australian coach said when the breaks were on, Australia’s longer passing down the court proved its worth. Mrs Barham said netball in Australia is growing and will provide plenty of scope for improvement in the next few years. “I’m expecting any encounters with New’ Zealand in future to be a lot closer, including the next two tests. "We’ve had the chance to see New Zealand play and now feel more confident the scores in future games will be a lot closer." But Mrs Muir sees New Zealand staying at the top for a while yet,. hopefully right until the world championships next year. Meanwhile. New Zealand will tour England and Wales in November, as a further warm-up for