New blood in netball side

Press, 25 May 1984, Page 15

New blood in netball side

By

KAY FORRESTER

Canterbury s new netball coach, Kay O’Reilly, has rung the changes for the provincial side to play in the Queen’s Birthday weekend South Island squad tournament.

Only four of last year’s Canterbury side have won places in the tournament team. Two of last year’s specialist goal shooters have missed selection, bowing out to the 1983 under 20 shooters, Stephanie Stokes and Jan Pickering. Pickering, especially, has been pressing for full provincial honours for the last few seasons.

The experienced players, Ann Davidson and Geane Hohipuha, are the two passed over by the selectors. Diana Sullivan, the regular goal attack for the Canterbury side in the last few seasons, has secured her position again. Other young players, who formed the nucleus of last year’s under 20 team, coached by Mrs O'Reilly, have also made the step up with the coach. Suzanne Camp and Catberine de Ruiter, in the attack and defence respectively, have earned their chance on present form. Both had trials

for the under 21 New Zealand team earlier this year.

Another to reach the senior side after several years in the under 20 team is Jenniferr Readman. Unlucky not to win a place last year, Readman missed representing Canterbury as she was too old for the under 20 side. Sandra Heffernan’s absence has given her the opportunity she deserves.

Other faces missing from

the side are Heffernan, who is overseas, Diane Brown and Nicky Lay. Brown has won selection in the under 20 side to play in the South Island tournament and Lay is a trialist for the Canterbury B team. The experienced centre court combination of Leigh Gibbs and Lynne McLennan is back, and Waimarama Taumaunu will again lead the defence. With four seasoned

players, Gibbs, Taumaunu, McLennan and Sullivan, Mrs O’Reilly can well afford to bring up young players such as Pickering, Camp and de Ruiter. The promotion of such players may be the key to Canterbury’s climb back to the top of New Zealand netball.

Canterbury Country, the province’s second first grade side, has also lost some experienced players. Sue Graham, Carolyn Dalzell and Rosalie Doyle were unavailable for selection for the team, which will have its first outing for the Queen’s Birthday tournament.

The side has gained Maxine Munro, who played for Country before moving to Canterbury. Munro had a season away from netball last year and the Country side will benefit from her international, national and provincial experience.

Maxine Loffhagen, Annette Blomquist and Rosie Oliver are experienced players who have returned to the side. Barring injury problems, Loffhagen will be a strength in the attack and Oliver and Blomquist in the defence.

Returning from last year’s team are Leanne Peter, Deana Cooper and Kathy Munro. New faces are Trish Coleman and Debbie Joblin, from last year’s under 20 side, and Raelyn White.

The team has the potential to do well in spite of losing experienced players.