Top netball players pass on skills

Kia Magic players coaching students at Tauranga Intermediate School. From left, Jo Trip, Samantha Sinclair and Casey Kopua. Photo: ANDREW WARNER

Silver Ferns and Kia Magic captain Casey Kopua may still be some way off getting back on the court, but she can at least now put her experience to good use.

Casey tore her patella tendon and dislocated her kneecap in the third test against Australia in October -- an injury some feared might have been career-threatening.

But she was on the court -- albeit passing on skills to young players at Tauranga Intermediate School -- last week with team-mates Jo Trip and Sam Sinclair.

After knee reconstruction and 14 weeks in a leg brace, she can at least now contribute to the Magic's season preparations and take part in some of the less arduous training sessions.

"I'm doing gym work and cycling and can join in with passing (drills)," she says.

"I can do a bit of coaching, but it's hard telling others what to do when I can't do it. But you do what you can to help."

As yet there is no date for a competitive comeback, but it seems unlikely she will skipper the Magic when they play two ANZ Championship games at ASB Stadium on March 9 and 15.

The Magic trio spent around half-an-hour with 20 Year 8 Tauranga Intermediate netball players from which the school's top two netball teams will be selected.