Silver Ferns selector draws on three decades of knowledge
Silver Ferns’ selector Leigh Gibbs has been fine tuning her selection radar as far back as the mid 1990s.
It will put her in good stead as anticipation builds towards Commonwealth Games selections.
The Silver Ferns’ selectors have a big few weeks ahead of them. As a result of Covid postponements, just 27 out of 45 regular season games have been completed so far in the ANZ Premiership.
The next 20 games including finals will be packed into the next four weeks and couldn’t be more important as players try and impress.
The selection panel is also made up of Adrianne Hayes, Gail Parata and of course Silver Ferns’ coach Dame Noeline Taurua, who ultimately has the final say. But over the years Gibbs has found that selectors generally come to the same conclusion.
“Because the conversations around players are ongoing and we are seeing them frequently and we have the data collection, I haven’t had that experience where there’s been ‘okay well the coach has the final say’ ultimately they do, but in my experience it’s been a really good process to get to where we all agree,” Gibbs said.
On the 15th June a Silver Ferns’ trial squad will be selected of up to 27 players — just under half the total number of contracted players in the ANZ Premiership.
From those trials the Games squad will be named, as well as the Silver Ferns and development squads, and a New Zealand A squad.
There might be an opportunity for three reserve players to head to the Commonwealth Games in the event of Covid or injury impacting the team.
“I think we’re waiting on getting clarification around that because in a Commonwealth Games setting there’s a restriction around how many players can be within the athletes village so there would be the 12 plus three in mind and I think that’s got to be absolutely signed off.”
Gibbs, who is also Netball New Zealand’s community coaching manager, said Covid disruptions were having an impact.
“The data is showing some of that [impact], however the beauty of the system now is that we’re seeing players over the long term so if they are taking a bit longer because of Covid or even returning from injury we know that we’ve got data and observation of them at other times.”
Gibbs believed there was a bigger pool of players putting their hand up. She said players were being substituted on and off the court far more these days and that had increased again this season as a result of Covid.
“If you did that as a coach and I’m thinking about my time with the Mainland Tactix (from 2012 to 2014) and you made changes it was probably looked upon not so favourably.
“However, because of necessity and potentially the value in having players be really comfortable coming on and hit the ground running, by bringing them in and giving them significant court time, that’s building experience and capability.
Asked which players had stood out to her this season, Gibbs was artful in not naming anyone.
“The other question that sometimes comes is ‘will there be any bolters?’ but I think because we’re seeing them so frequently and over a number of years now I believe that it’s hard to sort of identify one or two.
Just who might wear the centre bib in Birmingham is a big mystery. A lot of fans would love to see development squad member Kimiora Poi back in favour.
So what are the selectors wanting to see from Poi?
“She has wonderful wonderful conditioning and speed . . . I think in ALL midcourt positions, that ability to have variety.”
Gibbs became a selector again just over a year ago, having settled back in New Zealand.
After three decades of honing her craft there’s certain things that catch her eye quickly, but Gibbs is careful not to get tunnel vision.
“I’m really mindful of keeping an open mind.”