Seven players in NZ but five still to arrive
WELLINGTON: Seven members of the Jamaican netball team have arrived in New Zealand for the test series against the Silver Ferns but there is no guarantee the other five members will arrive in time for tomorrow’s first test.
Seven travelweary members of the team, including standin captain Shimona Nelson, touched down in Auckland yesterday morning.
Visa issues meant the threetest series against the Silver Ferns had to be postponed and reduced to two tests.
Netball New Zealand said yesterday the remainder were due to touch down today.
But Jamaica coach Connie Francis said getting flights to
New Zealand was proving difficult and she was ‘‘hopeful’’ the remaining five players would get here in time.
Francis said it had been an anxious time.
‘‘And the cancellation of different flights because right now we are hoping that we can get those five players who are left back home, the five youngsters to come in and help the seven that are here,’’ Francis said.
The first group took the direct flight from New York to
Auckland but they left Jamaica in two groups because of flight availability.
‘‘So we met up in New York. We had two people who left early Saturday morning Jamaica time, and we met in New York.
‘‘We are still waiting on five. It’s all because of the uncertainty with flights. It’s very difficult to get flights.
‘‘So we’re looking to reroute the others. Hopefully we can get them in through Germany, Singapore and here, hopefully.’’
Despite the struggles Francis said it felt good to arrive in New Zealand.
‘‘It’s a long time since I’ve been here in this capacity. The last time was the 2007 World Cup so to come back here our team will only benefit from this experience.
‘‘It is what it is, it comes down to the mental capacity. This tour has a lot of hiccups so can we be resilient especially with a young team to really go out there and put on a good show.’’
Jamaica thrashed the Silver Ferns at the recent Commonwealth Games, where the Sunshine Girls came away with a historic silver medal.
‘‘I know they [Silver Ferns] will be coming all guns blazing for us but it’s unfortunate that it’s only three players from the Comm Games because of school commitments and injuries.’’ — RNZ