HB senior netball team for this season's nationals. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
FORMER Silver Fern Katarina Cooper will play for Hawke's Bay at the national netball tournament which begins in Wellington later this month.
Pak 'N Save Hastings Hawke's Bay team manager and HBN operations manager Tina Arlidge was thrilled to secure the services of the former Central Pulse and Southern Steel midcourter.
Cooper, 29, is happy to play anywhere for the Bay, but coach Charissa Barham is likely to start her at wing attack.
"It was a like a reunion for me when I had my first training with the Bay," Otaki-based Cooper said.
"Becky [Kupa]was the No 1 midcourter when we played in the New Zealand under-21s together and I played with Charissa in the Flyers way back."
Cooper, who played one test for the Silver Ferns, played for the Bay in a pre-season tournament in Palmerston North last weekend when they lost to Manawatu and beat Wanganui. Today they will tackle another pre-season tournament in Morrinsville, where they will take on Thames Valley and Hamilton City.
"We're still to finalise our top seven and that's one of our aims this weekend. We're hoping to have another crack against Manawatu next weekend and some games against men's teams and these will be beneficial as the nationals get closer," Cooper said.
"I've always enjoyed national tournaments and one of the aims with the Bay is to help get some of our younger players recognised."
A mother-of-two, Cooper, has ended her ANZ Championship career.
"You know when your body has had enough. I would like to get into coaching regularly now ... I might end up coaching the Silver Ferns one day," she quipped.
While staying in the Bay and staying with Barham, Cooper is conducting coaching clinics at schools. These have given her the coaching bug.
The 18-team nationals begin on September 28 and continue until October 2. Hawke's Bay will take on Dunedin, Wanganui, Hutt Valley and North Harbour in pool play where they will aim for a top-three finish before moving into crossover play.
This is the first Hawke's Bay senior team to be fielded since the amalgamation of the Napier, Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay centres in December 2012.
"This could be the last national competition in this format with new changes Netball New Zealand are currently proposing so it's great to be involved," Arlidge said.
Barham echoed Arlidge's delight.
"I am excited to be coaching black and white. Hawke's Bay Netball have worked hard to increase opportunities and pathways for players and with the launch of an under-19 team also this year this gives the players the exposure they need. In the past both myself and player Rhiarna Ferris have travelled to coach and play, which takes its toll. There is a sense of loyalty and excitement about playing and coaching at home."
"We have a great blend of experience and youth, and with the addition of Katarina [Cooper] to the team with her ANZ and Silver Fern experience this has given the team a great boost. Combined with strong local-born and bred players like Briar Chalmers, Rhiarna Ferris, Becky Kupa, Candis Timms, Nichola Heremaia and Hanna Russell along with some young talent for the future in Olivia Macaulay, Brona Turley, Emma Vennell and ex-Tactix training squad player Kirby Heath it is a nice mix to pull together," Barham added.
-HB team: Briar Chalmers, Katarina Cooper, Rhiarna Ferris, Kirby Heath, Nichola Heremaia, Becky Kupa, Olivia Macaulay, Hanna Russell, Candis Timms, Brona Turley, Emma Vennell.