Local goal shoots shining: Wilson
Northern Mystics coach Helene Wilson says it’s clear how New Zealand netball is benefiting from having just three import players in this year’s ANZ Premiership.
Ama Agbeze at the Stars, the Tactix’s Kate Beveridge and Lenize Potgieter from the Magic are the only import players in this year’s competition.
The lack of some international stars may have taken the gloss off the Premiership, but Wilson says the benefits for the sport in this country are becoming evident, something which will benefit the Silver Ferns.
‘‘There are comments about the standard of the shooting this year,’’ said Wilson, whose Mystics team plays the Steel in Auckland tonight.
‘‘But the reality was that for the last 10 years we only had two New Zealand goal shoots playing in the ANZ Championship.
‘‘Now we’re rebuilding quality shooters for New Zealand. In almost every team, there are two New Zealand shooters playing, which is really exciting.
‘‘So now we’re going to build depth and competition in terms of performance and find out who’s going to be the best.
‘‘That’s got to be a good thing, because it makes the players accountable to the standard that’s required.’’
For the Mystics this season, Wilson has been bringing on Jamie Hume, who last year sat behind Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and Te Paea Selby-Rickit at the Steel.
Other young goal shoots that have gained good experience this year are Aliyah Dunn from the Pulse and the Steel’s Jennifer O’Connell.
Wilson feels the Premiership, which is into its second season after the breakaway from the Australian teams, is more competitive this year. Even the Stars, who had been struggling, picked up their first win of the year on Monday, with a 56-53 win over the Tactix on Monday night.
‘‘The Pulse are a couple of games out in front of everyone else, but the next four teams are incredibly competitive and every game counts this year,’’ Wilson said.
‘‘Last year the Steel were so far out in front, that if you could pick up any points against them it was a bonus.
‘‘So this it’s more competitive and that’s a good thing, because the players are learning what it’s like to put a quality performance out there for 60 minutes and the impact of their skill execution and ability to play out a game.
‘‘In the long term, that’s going to reap dividends and considering we’ve got so many young players in the Premiership this year, it’s great for New Zealand netball.’’