Netball: Overseas imports spice national league

By Suzanne McFsdden

Netball has always wanted its own Super 12, and it has come that little bit closer with a handful of foreigners in the national league which kicks off tonight.

Four English internationals and one Australian player have been imported for the Coca-Cola Cup, with three of the Northern Hemisphere stars meeting each other on court in the Capital Shakers-Magic first-round clash.

A world rugby champion also makes her debut, while New Zealand's tallest, and youngest, national league player will be even loftier than last year.

The nominees for the best franchise team in the country are.-

The Force:

Hamilton policewoman Jenny-May Coffin has a new beat, driving to Auckland to train and play with the Northern Force.

The Silver Fern midcourter is their big gain, making half their team either past or present internationals. They also have a new coach in Alison Wieringa.

The Diamonds:

Rugby star Louisa Wall will make her Diamonds debut, back in netball after a six-year absence.

After a six-month rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction, pint-sized shooter Kylie Hall is back firing, having moved from the Cometz.

Cook Islands goal-shoot Angela Maoate - the most accurate shooter at the 1995 world champs - had a trial to get her place back in the Diamonds, but missed out.

The Cometz:

Only four players remain with last year's giant-slaying side.

Among the players they have picked up are former Silver Fern centre Temepara George, the Force's Pauline Marsh, and shooter Karen Gaddes, who was also asked to join the Magic team.

Last year's captain, new mum Gael Nagaiya, is assistant coach to Ruth Aitken.

The Magic

: One of four teams in the league with foreign imports, the Magic have adopted English midcourter Helen Lonsdale.

The Magic are now a merger of Waikato and Bay of Plenty, under the guiding hand of Lyn Gunson (formerly Parker).

New mother Monika Gabriel was convinced to return to help out in the shooting circle, where they have picked up former New Zealand player Tania Nicholson.

The Flyers

: The find of 1998, towering teenage shooting star Daneka Wipiiti, has grown even taller over the summer. The 16-year-old is now 1.92m (6ft 41/2in) - easily the tallest player in the league.

The Western team have lost their former New Zealand defender Lisa Wilson to injury, but have gained the experience of Yvette McCausland-Durie in the middle.

<>The Shakers: The Capital, a disappointing eighth last season, can boast more pluses than minuses this year.

Tanya Cox has recovered from a serious leg injury to captain the side, Julie Seymour and Debbie Matoe have moved back from their flirt with the Flames, and two English internationals, Olivia Murphy and Amanda Newton, have moved in.

The Flames

: Australian import Lisa Gregory made such an impression on the Canterbury team last year (she is now a Silver Fern contender), that they have pulled another player from across the Tasman.

Lailee Smith came to Christchurch three years ago on a coaching exchange programme, but this time the defender from North Sydney was invited to come back and play.