Schedule challenges players and coaches

IF the Southern Steel’s draw seems a bit unusual this season, that is probably because it is.

Fewer home games — mostly on weeknights — doubleheaders and long breaks are all challenges facing teams in the ANZ Premiership.

For the netball fan at home, it as good as ever.

All games are televised and at the same time every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday.

That means it clashes with few other sports, theoretically maximising the viewing audience. However, that comes at a cost. Games at 7.40pm on Monday and Wednesday nights are not ideal for attracting a crowd.

For children — and therefore parents — it makes for a late night on a school night and many would choose not to go.

Indeed, the numbers back that up.

The Steel’s home crowd in its first Dunedin game — on a Wednesday night — was about 1500.

A further 1000 were expected for the next game at the Edgar Centre.

That will be on a Sunday afternoon against a rejuvenated Mainland Tactix side, and the South Beko League team will play a curtainraiser.

Meanwhile, just under 2000 turned out on Monday night in Invercargill, about 1000 below capacity.

The city hosts the other three remaining home games — one on a Sunday afternoon and two on Monday nights.

Again, not ideal for boosting numbers.

Having just six home games in a 15match season is unusual in itself.

That comes as a result of the three Super Sundays, in which all six teams play at the same venue on the same day.

It is a great concept for those wanting a feast of netball on a Sunday and also acts as a great spectacle for the host.

The flip side is everyone gives up home games.

On the court it creates the doubleheader situation, while the spacing between game days can also make for long breaks.

For the Steel, that means it twice plays two away games in two days — the only team to do that.

It also has three stretches where it has nine days between games, although it avoids the 10day break several teams experience.

That certainly makes it challenging for both the players and coaches.

On the one hand, they manage a high workload in a short space of time. On the other, they have to ensure they do not come back below pace after nine or 10 days off.

That becomes even more pronounced at playoff time.

If it finishes top, the Steel will get a direct route to the final, which is scheduled for two weeks after its last roundrobin game.

Even if it finishes second or third and has to play the qualifying final, there will still be a 10day gap between that and its last game.

It is another factor far from ideal, as far as building momentum goes.

However, it fits with the theme that success in this competition comes with overcoming the challenges the draw throws at you.

The South Beko League team plays its third game tomorrow, against Central in Invercargill.

Centre pass is at 11.10am.

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