Big challenge ahead for standin skipper Gunson
ELLA Gunson is not exactly under the gun.
But the standin Black Sticks captain certainly has a big challenge ahead during the International Women’s TriNations which gets under way in Cromwell today.
The 28yearold is standing in for Stacey Michelsen and it is quite a job she has inherited.
The Northland defender was part of the leadership when she was first included in the team in 2009 but this will be her first stint as the boss.
And she gets under way at a time when expectations have never been higher.
The Black Sticks won Commonwealth Games gold with an emphatic 41 victory against Australia on the Gold Coast last month. That superb result has lifted both the profile and the public’s confidence in the team.
Gunson’s role is to make sure the team’s performance does not slip but also to help expand its game as it builds for the World Cup in England in a couple of months.
However, Australia and Japan will be tough opposition and Gunson has to achieve the
team’s goals with five players missing from the gold medal squad. No pressure.
‘‘We are very aware of that [the public’s expectations],’’ Gunson said.
‘‘We have certain goals for this tournament and we want to achieve those.
‘‘Our focus is on improving our game.
‘‘Of course we still do a lot of scouting on the other teams and we do put time and effort into that.
‘‘We are after wins down here as well.’’
One of the major aims will be to make sure the defence is up to its usual high standard. With key defenders Michelsen, Sam Charlton and Liz Thompson all missing the series, the Black Sticks have shed more than 550 games worth of international experience.
Gunson and Brooke Neal will have to pick up the majority of the slack and make sure the defence is still functioning as a unit.
‘‘It is a lot of experience but we’ve still got some very experienced and knowledgeable people back there and I just know we can build from that.
‘‘Communication will be a huge thing, though, because . . . we are missing a few.’’
Australia is in a similar position with four or five players missing for the series. And for the first time in a long time, the Black Sticks might take a psychological edge into the fixtures between the two teams.
‘‘Possibly,’’ she responded. ‘‘But we’ve lost games to them in the past but have been able to come out in the next game and beat them. The games are always very fierce and very competitive and they have a great team.
‘‘It is always a big grudge match whether you are missing some of your best players or not.’’
Japan will be wellorganised and competitive as well. The world No 12 team is certainly capable of beaten the Black Sticks, so the series shapes as an interesting one.
Gunson has played more than 180 games for the Black Sticks. She would have played more than 200 games by now but she had a stint out of the team in 2013 and 2014 when she took up an opportunity to attend Boston University.
‘‘That was after the London Olympics and I was keen to have a little bit of time away, I guess.’’
On her return Gunson, missed out on selection.
‘‘That was a shame but it did make me realise I really love it and I think that is what has allowed me to keep going a little bit longer.’’
The chance to lead the side was an unexpected surprise and ‘‘a huge honour’’. It has put a spring in her step and the atmosphere in Central Otago, since the team has arrived, has been inspiring, she added.