Netball know-how

Press, 9 May 1984, Page 40

Netball know-how

By

KAY FORRESTER

Jan Pickering, the tall Bumside goal shoot, is the only Canterbury representative in the New Zealand under 21 netball team which will play three tests against Young Australia this month. The only game of the eight-match tour by the Australians to be played in Christchurch is the third test on June 2. The game will be played indoors at noon at Cowles Stadium. The Young Australia side arrives in the country on May 17 and has a match against an Auckland under 21 side on May 19. The side will play Howick two days later and travel to Wanganui for a match against an invitation squad before travelling to Wellington for the first test on May 26. The second test is in Dunedin on May 29, and the only other match before the Christchurch test is a game in Timaru against South Canterbury on May 30. The Australian side has some experienced players in its line-up. The '.captain, Roselee Jencke, was a member of the Australian squad in 1982 and was in the Australian open team last year. It will not be her first

visit to Christchurch. She led the under 21 Australian Institute of Sport team which visited Canterbury last season. The institute side lost to Canterbury in its match last season, but played exciting, open netball. Three other members of the institute team are also in the national side. They are Keely Devery, Gillian Walsh and Debbie Johnson. As a member of the Burnside club team, Jan Pickering played against the visitors last season and should be familiar with the fast, flowing style of play the Australians are likely to display. Pickering was the only one of the three Canterbury trialists to reach the New Zealand side. Catherine de Ruiter, of Hagley, and Suzanne Camp, also of Bumside, were the other trialists. Pickering has been a regular face in Canterbury’s under age sides, first playing for the under 20 side in 1979. She has not missed selection in that side since and has pushed for full provincial honours most seasons. She was a member of the Southern squad of national

and provincial players to play the touring Australian team in 1982 and a member of the New Zealand under 21 side last year.

and provincial players to play the touring Australian team in 1982 and a member of the New Zealand under 21 side last year. A tour to Australia last year with the New Zealand Universities team gave the goal shoot another chance to see the Australian style of play. Pickering lists her positions on the court as goal attack and goal shoot, but she seems much happier under the post at goal shoot. She has filled that position for the Burnside senior team for the last few seasons. The New Zealand team for the test series is Rita Fatialofa, captain, Selina Matenga, Wellington, Tina Haslett, Barbara Webster, Julie Carter, Otago, Denise Felix, Gael Robinson, Theresa McCabe, Tracy Eyrl, North Shore, Pickering. The coach is Miss Marian Smith of North Shore. The Young Australian side is Jencke, Leanne Horwood, Diane Atkinson, Michelle den Dekker, Devery, Wendy Etherington, Julie Gibbs, Johnson, Walsh, Vicky Wilson. The coach is a former Australian player, Mrs Annette Simper.