Netball: Central Sports midcourter's thriving under tutelage of Aunty JJ in Super 8

Central Sports wing defence Jasmine Primmer leans on Otane Force wing attack Treyana Faulkner to thwart a new wave of attack. Photo/File

When it came to playing netball in Central Hawke's Bay from the time she was a youngster Jasmine Primmer didn't have a choice who to play for.

Primmer says her lineage dictated she play for Central Sports Vet Services HB rather than opt for powerhouses Otane Thirsty Whale.

"It's definitely my roots," says the 31-year-old Karamu High School PE teacher before Central Sports lock horns with NGHS Senior A from 6.15pm tonight in the opening round of the championship leg of the Super 8 netball competition at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale.

"Aunty JJ has always been my top coach and I've learned most of my netball from her," she says of Central Sports coach Jeanette Oliver Taylor who is the sister of her mother, Raewyn Primmer.

"In my eyes she's black and white and knows her business," she says, adding she is responsive to what the coach and goes out on a limb to fulfil any tasks set.

Primmer says there's nothing ambiguous about Taylor who is concise in what she wants from her troops in striving towards attaining goals.

The former Waipawa and Irongate Primary School pupil has been under the tutelage of Taylor since she was 13.

A former rugby winger at Heretaunga Intermediate, Primmer gravitated towards netball after it became obvious she stood to benefit immensely from the pool of knowledge within the family.

"Mongrel, as my aunty calls it," she says when asked if rugby gave her that mental fortitude on the court.

The camaraderie and sheer love of the game give her a great sense of fulfilment in the code.

A hustler, she relishes the role of midcourter and has no qualms about slipping on either the centre or wing defence bibs.

Collectiveness, she hastens to add, was instrumental in lifting Central to draw with defending champions Outkast Optimise Physio in the four-round shield segment of the season.

"As individuals we have some very skilled players and team unity is a pretty good mix."
Primmer says although they beat the Annemarie Kupa-coached newcomers NGHS in the shield round it doesn't mean they'll take them lightly tonight.

"We, by no means at all, go easy on them because I believe they are skilled players and deserve to be in the fray."

She doesn't think the Anna Cudby and Kirby Heath co-skippered Central Sports have mutated much in terms of what they brought to the court last season to what's in store this year.

"We're out there to do our job and plug away because each quarter is a new game so we kind of look at it that way in having each other's backs."

Primmer says regardless of who is the opposition, Central Sports are not in a habit of putting any team on the pedestal.

"Every team we face is a good team that we want to beat," says a player whose believes if one's not fit physically then mentally she'll also behind the eight ball.

She's nursing an injury on the arch of her foot but that doesn't mean Primmer won't be on the sideline cheering on Central Sports.

■ 6.15pm: HGHS Senior A v All In Elusive PGA 1.
Umpires: A Williams & J Varcoe.

■ 6.15pm: Outkast Optimise Physio v HHSOG Spicers Keas PGA 2.
Umpires: K Jones & K Ives.

■ 7.45pm: NGHS Senior A v Central Sports Vet Services HB PGA 1.
Umpires: H Lewis & N Corbett.

■ 7.45pm: Otane Thirsty Whale v HHSOG Proactive Huias PGA 2.
Umpires: T Gardiner & N Walker.

Reserve umpires: 6.15pm N Corbett, 7.45pm K Ives.