Netball: Ferns get in groove for shot at Games

Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby is expecting an extra edge from the squad. Photo / Photosport

The Commonwealth Games will loom large when New Zealand's top netballers assemble for a five-day camp starting in Auckland tomorrow.

A 16-strong Silver Ferns squad will be joined by 10 development players with April's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games taking centre stage.

The Silver Ferns will play a Quad Series against England and South Africa in late January.

The team for the Commonwealth Games will be named shortly after that, the team then playing a lead-in series against Jamaica, Malawi and Fiji for the Taini Jamison Trophy in March.

Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby is expecting an extra edge during the week as she puts the players through their paces, particularly after their 4-0 loss to Australia in October's Constellation Cup series.

"We realise we didn't perform like we needed to in the Constellation Cup and it has certainly opened the door for everyone to put their hand up and say, 'I want to be there and you've got to take me'.

"There will be game play during the week and it's also about what you bring off the court as well. It's looking at the whole picture."

The Silver Ferns played 15 games in 2017, winning eight and losing seven. They picked up two comprehensive victories over minnows Wales, and also did the double against South Africa, but struggled against the premier netball nations.

They won three out of their five contests against England, and struggled the most against Australia, winning just one of their six meetings — a shock 57-47 victory in Invercargill which gave them a surprise Quad Series title.

The Silver Ferns team to travel to England and South Africa for the Netball Quad Series will be named on December 18.

Silver Ferns: Gina Crampton, Kayla Cullen, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Monica Falkner, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Bailey Mes, Grace Rasmussen, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Samantha Sinclair, Whitney Souness, Maria Tutaia, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson.

Development squad: Ellie Bird, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Abby Erwood, Jamie Hume, Claire Kersten, Tiana Metuarau, Erikana Pedersen, Storm Purvis, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Zoe Walker.

- NZN