Netball exodus avoided by early trials

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 60

Netball exodus avoided by early trials

Early season trials for J the (Swiss Maid national-'? club! league! tearhs | in Auckland short circuits the ! potential problems ( with the exodus of talent ! to'-a limited! number of ]’ clubs, according! |to! | Yvonne Wiileringi] the player ‘ and coach (of the Collegiate team. J! ' |' The Canterbury Netball Association has become increasingly aware]of the N ’ - ■ ' ! ■ ji- i H'!

prpblem | with the strongest players flocking to St. Nicholas' and ( Sacred Heart, ] the Swiss ! Maid clubs from Canterbury. “We ](don’t have, the. problem' to the same extent in Auckland. The top Swiss Maid teams. trial .early arid players have a chance [to make, them. If thley don’t, then they are happy to go to a top club elsewhere.” I i , IL H ’

Willering, who j played for New Zealand for over i a decade, is the coach of the Young i International .squad arid the New Zealand under 21 team. She will be! playing .'during the Swiss Maid league at goal defence but) will bow out during the ; club season to allow new blood into the position. ] ' “We have j a new F goal defence who! is relatively - ; Nl H I

inexperienced,” she said. A 'squad of 10 players has been selected because Collegiate] will • lose Josephine! Rush I: and Robyn Manuel to Young International I and New Zealand under 21 commitments arid Rita Fatialofa ■and Joan Solia to the New Zealand team later this ’season. '! ■ ■ ■’ ' i jj Blit its loaded lineup, which finished third!!in ! . > ■ i- i ■

the league last year, will provide fierce competition for the Canterbury teams. ; “We have a fairly experienced ] lineup.] We have the same attacking players with the exception (of the addition of Rita !who has moved ] from Wellington.” | I ]| The Canterbury (Association is looking at (the possibility of adopting this system next season.: •i