Netball: Scramble on as squads selected

By JULIE ASH

Last-minute scrambling appears to be going on within the country's netball franchises as they prepare to announce their preliminary squads on Monday.

The eight National Bank Cup franchises have to submit a squad of up to 18 to Netball New Zealand by midday on Monday.

Most franchises will probably submit the names of only 12 to 16 players to allow themselves the opportunity to pick up players not named in other teams.

They then have until January 31 to name a squad of up to 12 before revealing their final 12 players on February 14.

The Auckland Waitakere Diamonds have been one of the more active on the market, signing Silver Fern Jodi Te Huna and promising defender Stephanie Bond.

However, the inclusion of Te Huna has come at the expense of Shelley Norris, who is understood to be close to joining the Flames.

The Diamonds are holding trials this weekend and although they have promising young shooters Bridgette Tapene and Maria Tutaia in their ranks, new coach Sue Hawkins will probably be keen to pin down another experienced shooter.

She may come in the form of ex-Silver Fern Carron Jerram, who has expressed interest in returning to the game.

"All positions are open," Hawkins said. "It depends who puts their hand up in the weekend."

After three seasons with the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, Leana du Plooy has opted for change, joining the Force.

The Force have retained all their key players from last year and will probably add promising young shooter Catherine Latu.

Having re-signed key players Donna Loffhagen, Lesley Nicol, Adine Harper, Tania Dalton and Anna Galvan, the Sting will once again be the side to beat.

They are chasing Australian Natalie Avellino, who played for them last year. However, her inclusion in the Australian side may persuade her to stay across the Ditch and play in the Commonwealth Bank trophy.

The Canterbury Flames and Capital Shakers have been forced to undergo major changes.

The Shakers thought they had retained Megan Hutton and Katie Ritchie for another season but the pair have back-tracked. Hutton is keen to go back to the Sting and Ritchie to the Otago Rebels.

The Flames are also severely depleted because of Te Huna's move to Auckland, the unavailability of Julie Seymour and Belinda Charteris and uncertainty over Belinda Colling's future.

However, Flames coach Margaret Foster is optimistic. "We have some people within our province who can fill the gaps.

"We have been consistently second for the four years I have coached the team and I think there comes a point where you just have to front up with what is in your province and start developing it."