Barely-tested Canterbury netballers under pressure

Press, 20 August 1982, Page 15

Barely-tested Canterbury netballers under pressure

By

SALLY LINDSAY

The Canterbury netball team will have its work cut out next, week defending its national title in the championships which start at Blenheim on Monday. Canterbury has won the New Zealand cup 23 times, but its reign at the top is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain without the top competition, needed to stay there. Canterbury cleaned up the South Island’s other top teams a fortnight ago at the annual Skellerup tournament.

The other teams could not get to within half of Canter- . bury’s scores and were struggling to stay in the game. But Canterbury has found it increasingly difficult over the past few seasons to keep its motivation, and was lucky last year not to be knocked out early in the nationals. The Canterbury coach, Cath Brown, said she is very disappointed at the standard of competition in the South

island. “When we’re winning . games against the other South Island teams by 30 goals and more, that’s not netball. “The opposition crumbles so quickly that it’s very difficult to keep on top and keep playing good netball. We have to set ourselves goals when we play the poorer teams, and that’s no good.”

Miss Brown said a fewyears ago Canterbury was pushed to beat Southland, but now that side is struggling to keep its position in the senior section at the nationals. To counter the lack of competition in the South Island, the Canterbury team went on a North Island tour for the first time this year. While the side faltered in its matches against Wellington and Auckland, it never lost a game. Miss Brown said she could not describe the benefits of the tour. “It was marvellous because it gave us an insight into the way the North Island teams play, and they’ll be our toughest competition in Blenheim.” Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua and Waikato have all been nipping at Canterbury’s heels over the past few seasons hoping to snatch the title. But Miss Brown said they will have to fight every inch of the way if they are to depose Canterbury.

“The trip made the girls see what they have to do to lift their play.

“It allowed us to have a look at the differences in style and we can now go on to play them with a pretty good idea of what they’re likely to do And the difference in style is where Miss Brown believes Canterbury has it all over its rivals.

Canterbury has traditionally played a slower game, putting a lot of emphasis on positional play. While a lot of people may criticise the side’s lack of imagination, Miss Brown says no one can claim that it is a losing style. “Our style needs very good timing, and the players need a good understanding of what everybody does. “It also means you can’t build around one of two players. Some teams have their stars, but I consider every player in our team is vital. I make use of them all, and that’s what’s important.” Canterbury also has the ability to win no matter its deficit.

In the match against Auckland during the North Island tour, Canterbury was trailing by 10 goals after the first quarter, but fought back to draw the game. Miss Brown says the side has traditionally' had that ability. “The girls don’t like being beaten, and have the

attitude that they are never beaten until the last whistle.” “If you don’t like being beaten, you make sure you have the skills to keep at the top, and that’s where a lot of sides are let down.”

Miss Brown has been the Canterbury coach for 13 years all -told', and says she never has trouble motivating the players. “Each year is a different sort of prospect, and I look at the nationals as a new goal to achieve with a different team.”

Miss Brown has complete faith in this year’s side to take the cup again. “The girls want to win, it’s a matter of pride, and the incentive is there. We have the ability to be New Zealand champions for a long time yet” Miss Brown attributes this to the depth of netball in Canterbury right through the grades. “There are plenty of young players coming up and the under-20s and 18s are both good sides and will provide plenty of top-line players in coming years.” This year, Canterbury will probably face its toughest competition yet. Waikato and Auckland have already shown they are determined to beat Canterbury and take the title.

Waikato has already toppled Canterbury, but Miss Brown does not believe the side will be able to pull it off again at the nationals. “Every game will be hard, and you cannot take any team lightly, as the side you might think is the weakest could be the one that upsets you. “While Waikato might have beaten us, I believe we’ll have the measure of them and they won’t win again.”