Netball: Determined to make Diamonds sparkle

By DAVID LEGGATT

Question: How many times have the franchise with the biggest population base reached the national league final?

Answer: Well, there's no prize for getting it right. Never. Nil. Non. Nada.

Indeed, the Diamonds have done no better than reach the semifinals in the first two seasons, 1998 and '99, as the power in the National Bank Cup has resided in the south.

Just why the Auckland-based franchise have failed to flatter is probably down to a mix of reasons, none of which will particularly concern their new coach Joan Hodson.

The former Silver Ferns mid-courter in 38 tests, a 13-year Auckland representative and highly-respected umpire, has pulled on her tracksuit and can't wait for this weekend's opening round, when the Diamonds hit the road to face the Rebels in Dunedin.

As with the eight other coaches, Hodson will probably discover on Sunday just what the cup has in store for them. You can plan, speculate and pontificate to your heart's content, but until you see your team in competitive action that's all it is.

And the Rebels will be a good indicator for Hodson.

They met a fortnight ago in the Te Awamutu quadrangular tournament. The Rebels won by 25 goals, so just how her players front up this time holds plenty of interest for Hodson.

"That was a good measuring stick for me and it will be a test of what the girls learnt," she says.

The Diamonds lost to the Magic by 10 and beat the Western Flyers by five at the tournament, but there is optimism they will be more competitive than last year when they finished sixth.

International Victoria Edward comes in to add class in the mid-court, Silver Ferns captain Anna Rowberry is sure to be a key figure, there is a cluster of Academy and national under-21 squad members, but there are worries at the back.

"The defence is really wanting. A bit of height wouldn't go astray," Hodson says.

Her problem is that goal keep Katie Fay, who at 1.89m helps significantly in that department, is sidelined for up to four weeks.

There is good news and bad out of the draw for Hodson. After the Rebels, they meet the Force and the Shakers in Auckland.

It's a reasonable bet at least one of the four semifinalists will come from those three.

The Sting should be shoe-ins, the Flames won't be far behind, which leaves one spot. An easy lead-in it is not.

But the flipside is that the Diamonds then have the bye, a chance to regroup if things have gone badly, fine tune if it's working well. It also means the Diamonds skip one of the two doubleheaders in the programme.

"That suits us. I'm pretty pleased with the way it's all set out. It would be quite good if the lead-in was different, but that's what you get and that's what you've got to deal with."

Hodson says the goals are a mix of the old refrain about not looking beyond the next game and having an eye on the semifinals in May. Do the first part well and the second will follow.

So what persuaded Hodson to put the whistle in her pocket and park herself on the bench? If she'd had the choice, it would have been the other way round.

When she stopped playing for Collegiate in 1994 she had ambitions to take over as coach. Instead the job went to Jan Lundon, a baby arrived the next year and it just didn't work out.

So she turned to umpiring, and did it well enough to earn a reputation as New Zealand's best.

"I thought I knew the rules (as a player), but I got a wake-up call when I went umpiring. It was a different scene."

Then there's the bit about knowing all the tricks players attempt. As a former Silver Fern Hodson had seen them all.

So how will she cope sitting on the bench when the last few years have had her sprinting along the court making split-second decisions?

"I'd love to be a well-composed coach. I don't think I'll be ranting and raving."

Then ...

"That depends on the players, to be honest."

This could be fun.