Netball: Some high goals to achieve

By JULIE ASH

England coach Lyn Gunson has a list of things she would like to see her side achieve when they line up against the Silver Ferns next week.

While a series win tops that list, seeing how her team performs tactically, how they adapt to different environments and people, and how they cope under pressure are all things Gunson would like to see ticked off before July's world championships in Jamaica.

England arrived in New Zealand yesterday morning fresh from a 46-28 win over Samoa in Apia.

"It was a really good experience for the team for a number of reasons," Gunson said of the match.

"We were playing outside, which is of course different to what they are used to and it was quite hot.

"We played two different teams in each half of the game against Samoa and essentially the Samoan team has a lot of New Zealand players in it so it was a good game before the test series in New Zealand."

The three-test series against the Silver Ferns starts on Monday night in Christchurch.

The second test is in Wellington on Wednesday and the third in Auckland on Friday.

It was just four months ago the two sides met in England. The New Zealanders won all three games (52-36, 61-40 and 64-45) but the series did show the English had improved under the guidance of Gunson and her fellow former Silver Fern, Waimarama Taumaunu, who is assistant coach.

"The English team doesn't have a lot of international competition and its own in-house structure doesn't develop the level of tactical understanding that the English players will need to compete well at the world championships," Gunson said.

"This year we have been trying to increase our tactical understanding of the game.

"The support work for that is fitness and the development of cohesiveness as a team.

"The essential thing that has been missing for the English is games that go down to the wire."

To alleviate the problem England had thrown themselves into a series of internationals, against Australia late last year, the Silver Ferns in February this year, Jamaica last month and Samoa.

"Because it is a relatively young and inexperienced team - some have been in the team before but haven't necessarily played a lot - we have tried to give them as much international experience as possible.

"Also when you are in New Zealand or Australia you always have to travel - getting used to different environments, different people and being able to adapt and be flexible is also part of their growing and learning which is partially why we are here as well."

"In every outing so far the players, individually and as a group, have improved and that is all I can ask of them."

With that international experience under their belt the team would go into next week's series a lot wiser.

"The last time we played New Zealand we learnt about tactical play and when teams get under pressure what they will and won't do.

"England hasn't often been in the situation where they are holding onto a team going into the last quarter so it was a new experience and a lot was gained from it."

Even so, Gunson still rates the Silver Ferns highly.

"The Silver Ferns team remains strong. It has been strong for some time now and it is certainly helped by the shooting power of Irene [van Dyk].

"When you can put the ball away like that at 90 per cent then you are always going to be a difficult team to beat."

Heading into the world championships England are ranked third behind Australia and New Zealand - a position which Gunson said was going to be "extremely difficult" on which to improve.

"I think it is going to a very close tournament, probably the toughest tournament ever in my view, partially because of how the draw has been reshaped.

"People can't hide in either side of the draw.

"They have to play across the draw.

"It is a true tournament and a real winner will emerge and it will be extremely tough to get to that position," she said.

The former Silver Fern coach has been in charge of the English side for the past nine months and said so far she was enjoying it.

"From my perspective coaching a group of people who are working extremely hard to try and do the best for their country ...

"I have a lot of respect for that so I am prepared to work very hard for them and try and help them achieve their goal."