KINGSTON - New national coach Ruth Aitken was more than happy with the first workout by the Silver Ferns in steamy conditions at the National Stadium in Kingston yesterday.
The Silver Ferns play their opening tour warm-up match against a Jamaican senior league side tomorrow and there were concerns that the
New Zealanders may not have had time to fully recover from their journey.
"It went well. I think the girls were dying to get on the court after all their travel," Aitken said.
"I thought the intensity was great and the focus was definitely there. They looked a lot better than I felt, which is probably just as well."
The Silver Ferns had two days in Christchurch before coming to Jamaica, their only time together since Aitken assumed the coaching role in November.
The team worked yesterday on their defence, where there were gaps because of retirements and players being unavailable for the tour.
"We paid close attention at getting those links on defence because I think that will have to be the key for us, team defence rather than relying just on individual brilliance. And making sure that everyone knows the calls," Aitken said.
The National Stadium is basic and generates plenty of heat.
"They [the players] certainly sweated a lot," Aitken said, "but they didn't find it too bad. That's all part of it. We're creating a great amount of interest which is excellent."
The team's arrival was the lead story in Tuesday's Gleaner newspaper. Netball has a strong following in Jamaica.
An intense 18 months lies ahead, with the Commonwealth Games looming in July-August before next year's world championships in Jamaica.
- NZPA
