By JULIE ASH
Improving their ranking is the aim of the Hong Kong side heading into next month's world championships in Jamaica.
And with a sprinkling of New Zealanders in the side, chances are they may just achieve their goal.
Ranked 24th going into the event, the Hong Kong side includes former
Aucklanders Holly Cormack and Kiri Edwards and former New Zealand squash player and Thames Valley resident Sally Disher.
The team is coached by Grace Solomon, formerly from Hawkes Bay and managed by former Aucklander Patrick Ah Kuoi. The vice president of the Hong Kong netball association is former Wellingtonian Neil Cormick.
According to the world championships website, 1000 people play netball in Hong Kong. Currently there is a school league, club league and mixed league.
To be eligible for the national side, players must have competed in the club league for two years.
"The standard of play here is nowhere near on par with New Zealand or Australia but there are some good girls around in the top club teams," said Cormack.
She said the team has limited international fixtures but does take part in the Asian championships which are held every two years.
"But as our coach keeps saying the world championships will be a different kettle of fish."
With the world championships now less than two weeks away, the Hong Kong squad left for Singapore on Wednesday where they are forced to spend 10 days in quarantine as a precaution against the deadly Sars virus.
While there, they will play a series of matches against the Singapore side, who are ranked 12th in the world.
"There is lots of training planned," said Ah Kuoi. "It is a great opportunity for uninterrupted preparation."
Only the top eight teams are automatically placed in pools. The others have to play preliminary matches.
Hong Kong's first hit out is against Scotland on July 10 and while they're not expecting wonders they want to make the most of their chance.
"Our goal going into the tournament is to improve on our ranking," Cormack said. "It is going to be tough but the team was selected in February and we have had plenty of time to prepare."
