Netball: Silver Ferns selectors face tough decisions

By JULIE ASH

Today will be a nervous one for the country's top netballers.

In less than 24 hours Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken will name a team of 12 to represent New Zealand at the world championships in Jamaica.

Twenty players took part in three trial games at the weekend, but tomorrow just 12 will be named to play England in a three-test series in June and then compete in the world championships in July.

"I have been really impressed with the depth, the intensity and the range of options I have got to choose from," Aitken said.

"What we have to do as a selection panel is look at the three big challenges we have in England, Jamaica and Australia and make sure that we have players that can cope with those range of styles."

While it is unlikely Aitken will change the defensive lineup of Vilimaina Davu, Sheryl Clarke, Anna Scarlett and Leana du Plooy that beat England earlier this year, it is in the midcourt and shooting circle where her toughest decisions lie.

"I think the four defenders who went away to England made very good progress ... the defence area is very healthy, but we haven't got the same dilemmas as in the midcourt and the shooting circle."

With Anna Rowberry a shoo in, Aitken has to decide on two midcourt players out of Adine Harper, Amigene Metcalfe, Temepara Clark and Jenny-May Coffin.

"They each have got different strengths," Aitken said. "Amigene is a very fluid player and I think her feed is a real strength for her. Temepara and Jenny-May tend to be more explosive through the midcourt, but they all have got great skills."

Harper had an outstanding trial playing in the midcourt and shooting circle.

"It is difficult because she is not a shooter in her team, the Sting. For her to come from not being a shooter to taking on that role so strongly was very good."

While Irene van Dyk and Belinda Colling are certainties in the shooting circle, the decision on who will back them up is still wide open.

Angela Mitchell was not convincing in the tour to England and has had a fairly average start to the national league. Her biggest threat is likely to come from Flames shooter Jodi Te Huna.

Sting shooter, the incredibly accurate Tania Dalton, was invited to trial, but could take part in only one full session after falling heavily on her hip.

Although often wobbly on her feet, Dalton has consistently been one of the top shooters in the national league in recent years. That accuracy may just secure her a spot.

The wing defence position is also of interest. If Aitken chooses to go with four shooters, four in the midcourt and four defence - it will mean either Victoria Edward or Lesley Nicol will miss out.

"Certainly both of them bring different things to the game," Aitken said. "Victoria's speed is quite outstanding, but Lesley's experience and nous and her ability to get stronger as games get tighter is a real strength."

Aitken said the players' performances in past international matches, the national league and the trials will all be taken into consideration by the selection panel of Annette Heffernan, Adrianne Hayes and Te Aroha Keenan.

"I think that we have the makings of a great team, but there is still a long way to go. We know Jamaica are going to be hard, Australia will always be there and England are on the rise. I have got some hard decisions to make. I'll be disappointing some wonderful players, but that is a downside of my job."

Possible team

* Irene van Dyk (Bay of Plenty/Waikato Magic), Tania Dalton (Southern Sting), Angela Mitchell (Otago Rebels), Belinda Colling (Flames), Adine Harper (Sting), Jenny-May Coffin (Magic), Anna Rowberry (Auckland Diamonds), Lesley Nicol (Sting), Sheryl Clarke (Northern Force), Anna Scarlett (Otago Rebels), Leana du Plooy (Magic) and Vilimaina Davu (Flames).