Coach watching attacking line

Press, 12 August 1989, Page 26

Coach watching attacking line

Canterbury's attacking line will be under the close scrutiny of Leigh Gibbs at the Skellerup netball tournament in Timaru this week-end. Leigh Gibbs, ihe Canterbury coach, has confirmed that April leremia, a New Zealand player, will definitely be in the top lineup — the problem is where to play her most effectively. “April felt that she had lost a bit of her sharpness since having a holiday after the World Games,” said Mrs Gibbs. “But it won’t take long to get it back and I think they need the break after so much netball. Obviously April will be in the top lineup, it just depends on whether she will be strongest at goal attack or goal shoot.” leremia has been most impressive at goal shoot this season, but there is no obvious goal attack of the other three Canterbury shooters, Lee McKenzie, Anna Pilbrow and Liz Kazmierczak. “Lee is the strongest alternative at the moment,”

said Mrs Gibbs. Canterbury will play Mount Cook Districts, Otago and Southland this week-end and will be expected to have reasonably straight forward wins. Mount Cook Districts and Otago are in division one for the New Zealand tournament in Hamilton from August 28 until September 2, while Southland is in division two. Mrs Gibbs is happy with the provincial team’s preparation for the New Zealand tournament and the 40 minute games this week-end will give the side the chance to perfect a strong start, which it will need against the bigger unions at the tournament. “I am really pleased with the team and as well as looking at attacking combinations we will be starting to get our defensive plans together. Hopefully we will come away knowing we are capable of doing different things on defence,” Mrs Gibbs said.