By JULIE ASH
The same 12 players who beat Barbados hold New Zealand's netball hopes at the Commonwealth Games.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee and Netball New Zealand yesterday named the team that beat Barbados in a series 3-0 to compete in the Games in Manchester, starting on July 25.
Silver Ferns
coach Ruth Aitken said the decision to stick with the same team was not clear cut.
"Even though the series win against Barbados was convincing we had to go back and make sure there were no doubts," she said.
It is only the second time that netball has been included on the official Games programme.
In 1998 New Zealand finished second behind Australia.
Six members of that team - Donna Loffhagen, Belinda Colling, Julie Seymour, Anna Rowberry, Lesley Nicol and Linda Vagana - have been included in the Manchester team.
Vagana said the Games were an amazing experience.
"There are are so many great athletes walking around you feel so small," Vagana said.
Pooled alongside England, Sri Lanka, Wales and Canada, the Silver Ferns toughest opposition will come in the semifinals, where they will meet either Jamaica or Australia.
But they cannot underestimate England, who are coached by former New Zealand coach Lynn Gunson, assisted by former Silver Fern Wai Taumaunu.
The Silver Ferns regroup on Monday for matches against the New Zealand A team, which feature former Silver Ferns Adine Harper, Lorna Suafoa, Victoria Edward, Angela Evans, Tania Dalton and Temepara Clarke.
"The matches against the New Zealand A team should be a big step up," said Aitken. "There will be a lot of pressure on the Silver Ferns.
"I would like to get our turnover rate down a bit and I am wanting them to try things things. We have to use our speed but with control."
Silver Ferns: Irene van Dyk (Wellington), Daneka Wipiiti (North Harbour), Donna Loffhagen (Southland), Belinda Colling (Canterbury), Julie Seymour (capt, Canterbury), Anna Rowberry (Auckland), Jenny-May Coffin (Waikato), Lesley Nicol (Otago), Sheryl Clarke (North Harbour), Anna Veronese (Canterbury), Linda Vagana (North Harbour), Vilimaina Davu (Canterbury).
