St Margaret’s qualified for New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) courtesy of placing fifth at the South Island Secondary Schools competition. They will be in Pool C, with their opening game against St Peters Cambridge on Tuesday (8 October) at 9.30am. Live scoring will be available (Click here).

We caught up with Coach Helen Belcher ahead of a big week of netball for her team.

CNC: The netball season has been over for a few weeks now. What have you done to prepare for NZSS?

HB: The girls had a few days off to recover from SISS but have been back training since. We have mixed it up a bit with a gritty bike session at Koha Fitness and some practise games against Villa, CGHS and Ashburton.

SMC have an extra week of holidays so we have given the girls 10 days away from the team environment where they will be working on their own on a set programme. We will be reconvening for a 4-day block of training and fun just prior to leaving for Nelson.

CNC: Have any of your team experienced NZSS or a tournament like this before?

HB: There are only 3 of the team who attended in 2017, so a big learning curve and an eye-opener for most. 

A few of them have been involved with U17 and U19 tournaments this year but NZSS will be a different challenge again. We have brought in a couple of younger players to give them the opportunity to experience a National tournament. Everyone is really excited to be attending and really looking forward to the challenge.

CNC: What teams will you be facing in your opening pool games?

HB: We have ChCh Girls, St Peter's and St Mary's in our first round pool

CNC: Who do expect to be the hardest opposition (pool round) and why?

HB: Every game is going to be tough. We haven't managed to win against ChCh Girls so far this year and both St Peter's and St Mary's will bring speed and strength throughout the court.

CNC: What do you think will be the biggest challenge during the Tournament?

HB: Consistency is going to be our biggest challenge. We want to be able to put out a strong performance every game.

CNC: Describe your team in three words ...

HB: Fun, never give up and awesome!

Players: Lina Pale, Laura Mann, Caroline Wells, Trinity Mackley-Flutey, Emma Parker, Mia Allison, Liyah Faga-ieti, Georgia Reed, Karereatua Williams, Josie Seymour, Jess Milne, Ellie Withers.

Captain: Lina Pale
Coach: Helen Belcher
Co Coach: Julie Seymour
Manager: Jane Marshall

Article added: Friday 20 September 2019