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Netballers
remain optimistic
Robert Bailey,Youthlink
Writer
Janet
Guy, coach of Jamaica's Under-21 netballers,
said despite the recent 3-0 series loss
to the Australia's Institute of Sports (AIS)
team, she is confident the team can do well
at next year's World Championships, which
will be held in the Cook Islands.
The
Australians won the first match 56-31, and
a couple of days later, they captured game
two 51-31. They then won the final game
53-39.
"I
think the girls have learnt that they need
to be fit. They have to be ready at all
times and they also need to be a lot smarter,"
said Guy. "I believe they have realised
that they also need to work on their concentration
and believe in each other and work together
as a unit," she said.
Enough
time
Guy
added that there was still enough time for
the players to work on their weak areas
and build on their strengths.
Said
she: "I think it was good exposure
for them because it is still early days
and they haven't reached the stage where
we would want them to peak in terms of their
fitness level."
Guy
pointed out that the team missed goal shooter
Romelda Aiken, who is currently plying her
trade for the Queensland Firebirds in the
ANZ Championships in Australia.
"Romelda
was sorely missed but we thought other players
would have stepped up based on basic netball
play, but they didn't really do much out
there," she said.
Simone
McKinnis, coach of Australia, said next
year's World Championships title race was
wide open and any of the top four teams
could win.
"I
think that New Zealand will be working hard
to maintain their crown," she said.
"However, I believe Jamaica have high
hopes and the talent to do well and it is
going to be a great competition and we are
looking forward to it," McKinnis explained.
McKinnis
added that she was satisfied with her team's
3-0 victory.
"I
am pretty pleased overall because we won
and that is what we came here to do and
I am happy for that," McKinnis said.
"We still have a lot more room for
improvement and this has been a fantastic
learning experience for the girls and we
can only get better from this kind of experience."
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Jamaica's
Under-21 player Christina Solmon (centre)
preparing to make a pass, while Australia's
Sam May (left) and Rachel Forbes (right)
look on during their recent three-match
series at the GC Foster College, recently.
- Photo by Nathaniel Stewart
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