Netball: Coach is facing tough choices

Bay of Plenty coach Mary-Jane Araroa is a step closer to finalising her squad for the upcoming national provincial championships but is still anticipating a few sleepless nights in the next week ahead of Bay's re-entry back to the top.
Bay of Plenty - with Araroa playing traffic conductor by using 16 players and an extended bench - finished a two-day pre-season hitout at Tauranga's QEII Youth Centre yesterday with a 66 per cent winning record.
They saw off Western 58-54 on Saturday after leading by seven goals at halftime but split yesterday's games, going down 56-44 to Auckland-Waitakere in the morning game before holding off a fast-finishing Waikato 46-45, only clawing back the winning goal in the final minute.
Waikato downed Auckland-Waitakere 57-45, with Western beating a Bay Invitation team 54-47 before thrashing Auckland-Waitakere 72-52.
Araroa, who last year did a fantastic job coaching Bay of Plenty out of the second division in the national championships, said using 16 players across three high-level games had helped solidify her final 12, although there were still several tough decisions to make in the next week.
Players who trialled for Bay of Plenty Gold at the weekend were Erena Mikaere, Juliana Naoupu, Arahi Wall, Jodi Tod, Amy Christophers, Tanya Lund, Halana Leith, Samantha Sinclair, Simmon Howe, Ursula Pritchard, Laura McDonald, Harley Smith, Jane Bingham, Lyddia Moke, Melissa Ruru and Candyce Edwards.
"I'd say after this weekend I've probably got nine players of my final 12 sorted in my mind's eye. I'm quite happy with those nine at this stage but there's still some decisions to be made with six or seven in the mix.
"We're heavy in midcourt but with the type of game plan we have I'm going to need as much variety as possible with certain horses for different courses."
Araroa said the closeness of yesterday's game against Waikato and the loss to Auckland-Waitakere reflected how many changes she was making each quarter.
There was also a trial aspect to Bay of Plenty's trainings, which Araroa said had become ultra-competitive ahead of the final player cull.
"A couple of trainings we've been able to run some basic set plays to take on board how different players deal with structured play and do the fundamentals - placement of the pass, turn and catch and putting shots away, that sort of thing.
"It's quite competitive and that helped create and maintain a high level of intensity this weekend."
Having four of the squad - former Silver Fern Jody Tod, Erena Mikaere, Arahi Wall and new Silver Fern Juliana Naoupu - involved in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic had helped lift the level of professionalism as well, she said.
"They know what's required beyond this level and depth-wise we've seen huge development this year. A lot of the young girls have pushed some of the older players out and are nipping at the heels, helping keep things nice and honest.
"Mind you, we set the bar high last year and the bar's raised again. We're up with the big girls now and there won't be any second chances."
Bay of Plenty's opening game in division one of the national championships is against Canterbury at Tauranga's new $41 million TECT indoor arena on Saturday, September 3.
Weekend scores:
Saturday: Bay of Plenty Gold 58 Western 54, Western 54 Bay of Plenty Invitation 47, Waikato 57 Auckland-Waitakere 45.
Sunday: Western 72 Auckland-Waitakere 52, Auckland-Waitakere 56 Bay of Plenty Gold 44, Bay of Plenty Gold 46 Waikato 45.