Netball: Senio looking for court time

New Silver Fern Anna Senio is hoping for court time against Australia to press her claims to the goal attack bib in the New Zealand netball team.

Senio, 24, is in line to make her debut for the Silver Ferns in Sydney on June 29 in the first of two tests between the transtasman rivals this year.

"I really hope I get a start and, if I do, I'm going to take it with both hands," she said.

"I definitely want to push for that goal attack spot now that I've got my foot in the door."

Senio's call-up yesterday is reward for a fine National Bank Cup campaign with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, whom she has helped to top spot at the end of the competition's round-robin phase.

The Magic supply five members of the 12-strong squad, including goal shoot certainty Irene van Dyk.

Senio, who is in her second season with the Magic, credited the continuing development of her combination with van Dyk as being a key reason for her elevation to the Silver Ferns.

So, too, had a different attitude, which included the belief that she could take the step up from New Zealand A to test level.

Senio got the phone call from coach Ruth Aitken on Monday that was she going to be included in the squad.

It added to an already busy day for her, husband Kevin and three-year-old daughter Grace, who were moving house from Hamilton to Mt Maunganui.

Also on Monday, Kevin was named in next week's All Black rugby trial, although the halfback's name was later withdrawn because the clash with Bay of Plenty's fixture against the Lions.

"It was pretty full-on day for us and I was in the car," Senio said.

"I was in shock. I had to ask Ruth a couple of times whether it was me she wanted. I was really stoked.

"I rang Kevin straight away and he was over the moon. He was named as All Black triallist, so we're both walking on clouds at the moment."

Senio is one of three uncapped players, along with Magic defender Casey Williams and Diamond shooter Maria Tutaia.

Williams, 19, and Tutaia, 18, were part of the squad involved in the 3-0 home win over England in March, but did not get court time.

Aitken said Senio had impressed with her ability to work in tandem with van Dyk, which was an advantage given the limited build-up time to the test.

She said the decision to go for four shooters, rather than the recent trend of three, was done with the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March and the 2007 world championship in mind.

"We're really looking to the Commonwealth Games and the world championships, where you have eight or nine games in a row and you really do need four strong shooters," she said.

"We need to ensure that that's happening now."

Aitken said she was treating the test as a one-off, rather than as the first leg of a two-match series ending with the return contest in Auckland in October.

She said she would be heading to Sydney with a dual purpose.

"Every time you go out there on court against Australia, winning is very important and that will be at the forefront of our minds.

"But as a coach, I'm still looking at building for the Commonwealth Games. I want to have my cake and eat it too. I want success now and success next year."

- NZPA