2011 world netball championships

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6 ANNA STANLEY Former Silver Ferns captain relives the 2003 world championship triumph.

8-9 CAPTAIN COURAGEOUSCasey Williams looks forward to leading the Silver Ferns.

10 RECORD BREAKERCoach Ruth Aitken will break a long-term record at the world championships.

13-14 SILVER FERNS PROFILESWho’s who in Ruth Aitken’s team.

16-17 GAME SCHEDULEDates and times of all games.

18 MANAGEMENT PROFILESWho’s looking after the Silver Ferns.

21-22 PLAYERS TO WATCHWe profi le fi ve players who will be key performers at the world championships.

25 OUR FIRST LADY OF NETBALLDame Lois Muir reminisces over 48 years of involvement at world championships.

26-27 FACTS & FIGURESEverything you need to know about past world championships and the Silver Ferns record.

29-30 TEAM PROFILESThere are 16 teams competing in Singapore. Find out what their chances are of winning gold.

NETBALL

COPYRIGHT

MANAGING EDITOR Oliver Lee

EDITOR Peter White

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PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Bradley

PRODUCTION Mervyn Hurley

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Anna Stanley (nee Rowberry) led the Silver Ferns to their last world title. She looks forward to Singapore with confi dence.

HIGH HOPES TO REPEAT GLORY

I love it when the world championships roll around because it reminds me of those wonderful days in Jamaica in 2003 that always brings a smile to my face, and a real sense of pride in what our team achieved that year. We were a committed group of young women who put everything into our campaign to be world champions. No stone was left unturned in terms of our preparation, our communication as a team and our desire to be the best. I believe this was instigated from the coaching staff of Ruth Aitken and Leigh Gibbs and fi ltered down to the players.

The championships I will always remember for the Bob Marley songs that every day were blurting from the sound system, the heat, the pressure, and that fi nal against Australia. Who can forget Bubby (Temepara George) getting sent off! But more than anything that feeling you can’t describe to anyone who is not an athlete, of sharing an overwhelming sense of relief and elation that you have fi nally done it. That is why you play sport, for those moments, and I am so grateful that in my career I was lucky enough to have one of them.

It is amazing for me to think four of my players back in 2003 will compete in Singapore. Irene van Dyk, Temepara George, Anna Scarlett and Leana de Bruin are not just hanging in there but probably playing their best netball now. What that tells us is age is no barrier, nor is having children or having time off like Anna with beach volleyball, to continued success. They are all great athletes, who have shown a huge amount of discipline, matur-ity and dedication to the sport to still be playing at the top. We are lucky to have these women as role models in our game.

Irene is hugely important to us winning gold. She is an incredible player who can still turn defenders into a spin at the ripe old age of 38. Her height, her experience, her accuracy are all crucial elements to the Ferns success in Singapore. Irene is also very much a team player, who will give everything out on court and she is a very positive individual who makes other players feel good about themselves.

There is no doubt the Ferns are a gold medal chance. Our strengths have to be down the defence end where we have some serious height. De Bruin had a sensational ANZ champs year, captain Casey Williams is without doubt the best defend-er in the world at the moment, and throw in a Scarlett and a Henry – we are looking hot!

The Aussies will be likely fi nalists but England and Jamaica are just as much a threat. In fact the English are playing some great netball these days and they have some real quality shooters coming through. Watch out for Malawi though – they could be the bolters of the tournament. I believe with more exposure to top class netball Malawi could be a real threat in years to come

I wish the Silver Ferns all the very best to bring back that gold medal they so deserve. To play for your country is a huge honour but to play in a world championship is every athlete’s dream. I know the management team will have crossed every T and dotted every I in their preparation for Singapore.

Go girls!

NETBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011page 6

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Often in sport too much emphasis is placed on past performances, rather than focusing on the next major challenge ahead.

Last October the Silver Ferns beat arch rivals Australia after two periods of extra time to win gold at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Captain Casey Williams says while the victory was a huge psychological boost to everyone involved with the Silver Ferns, it is only a starting point to improve from.

“It’s all about the top two inches. The win will come up in preparation because you have to draw on those things and know you have been there and done that before. That helps make you push your body right to the limits of what is achievable. There will be no lack of motivation or desire from the girls, that’s for sure.”


GOLDEN MEMORY INSPIRES TEAMSilver Ferns captain Casey Williams will use Delhi success as a benchmark for her team. By Peter White

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Williams will captain the Silver Ferns for the fi rst time at a world championship and regards the position as the highest honour she could hope for.

“It is absolutely amazing. You feel so proud and honoured to do that and I never thought it would be me captaining the team. I am really looking forward to the challenge and excited to have some family and friends there too. To win would be amazing and I don’t really know how to put it into words.”

The Silvers Ferns are ranked No 1 in world netball ahead of the championships but the statistic Williams is focused on is the last time her team were crowned world champions – way back in 2003. She vividly remembers the pain of losing to Australia in the 2007 fi nal.

“It was tough to take. I was a lot younger and in a different role in the team but I hate losing. It was an experience many of us had not been through before so we can draw on that. But as I said this year is going to be completely different.”

The Silver Ferns will fi eld an experienced side with plenty of superstars across the court but as always, the focus will

inevitably fall on the sharp shooters up front putting the ball in the hoop.

Williams laughs at the suggestion tough as teak defenders like herself are often overshadowed by the attacking end of the court. She is just happy to have a world class pair

like Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia on her side.

“We can’t win if they don’t put the ball in the hoop and that is what they do better than any other pair. Irene is a great mentor to Maria and the other shooters. She is the ultimate player really, as she is fi t, strong, so experienced, is the best shooter in the world and is mentally tough.”

The Australians loom as potentially the Silver Ferns’ biggest threats but Williams

is wary of counting out any of the other top ranked teams.

“Any team at the world champs, on any given day, can beat any other team. So we need to ensure we plan for each game ahead individually, rather than looking too far ahead to play the likes of Jamaica and Australia.

“We are not going to get caught out by looking too far ahead and being under prepared.”

“We are not going

to get caught out by

looking too far ahead

and being under

prepared.”

NETBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 page 9

Long serving Silver Ferns coachcoach is poised to break aremarkable record by Peter White

which would have been a blueprint for success forever and ever.”

Aitken is not forgetting the other contenders for the world title, such as England and Jamaica, but knows beating Australia is always the litmus test. She is confi dent today’s players are better prepared to do well against them since the advent of the ANZ Championship and annual test series.

“As a group today’s players are incredibly committed to each other and doing the best they can, so in that respect they are very similar to the 2003 winning team. But this group has the advantage of performing against the Australians so much more and has taken so much learning from that, particularly about their style of playing.

“Before the worlds in 2003, the Australians didn’t really want to play us and there was no regular test series with them, so today our players are in a much luckier position.”

Aitken will be giving it everything to be in the World Championships fi nal and she can add a second world title as coach, to go with the winner’s medal she won as a player in 1979. She sure deserves it.

Long serving Silver Ferns coachLong serving Silver Ferns coachLong serving Silver Ferns coach

WINNING IS THE ONLY GOAL

Ruth Aitken is the ultimate people person, always available for a chat, and usually seen with a sparkling smile on her face. But beneath that friendly visage, evident even in the heat of a test match, lurks a deadly desire for success on the world stage second to none.

Aitken has been in charge of the Silver Ferns since 2001 and at the world championships will go past Lois Muir’s record of 107 tests as coach of the national team. But this remarkable achievement will not bother her. She would love nothing more than to guide her team to another world title and is fully aware the nation’s expectations are greater this year than in the past.

“2011 is a big year for New Zealand sport and every time we take the court the fans do expect us to win,” says Aitken. “It has become a culture now if we don’t win then it is not good enough. We are happy with that and like most sportspeople say, the pressure you put on yourself is the most.

“As a group we want to do it – to win gold – and if we don’t do it we won’t have succeeded, no matter how hard we might have tried. I don’t see it in terms of anything long term but as an opportunity with this group of players to help mould them become the best in the world. It is hugely important for the now and that is just how I look at it.”

Always the master strategist, Aitken has been building for four years towards winning in Singapore. Last year’s Commonwealth Games golden performance was halfway to achieving an astonishing double.

“We have linked the importance of Commonwealth Games gold and world championships gold as an amazing achieve-ment. The key with this group of players is to get them consistent enough to win back-to-back pinnacle events, which basically has never been done before by the Silver Ferns.

“We have to keep growing as a team and therefore anything we did last year will probably not be good enough this year. The disappointment that came off that win over Australia was in the fourth quarter we were seven goals up, but we allowed them to come back and tie the game in the end. We should have put that game away and won by 10,


MEET THE SILVER FERNSCaptain CASEY WILLIAMS has won plaudits for her no-nonsense approach as captain both on

and off the court. Her attributes in the defensive circle speak volumes. Williams was selected in the national team in 2004 and made her test debut the following year against Barbados. She was part of the national under-21 team which won the World Youth Championships in 2005 and was part of the Silver Ferns team which won gold at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games. She was appointed captain in 2009 – becoming the 23rd Silver Ferns captain – and has taken her game to new levels, highlighted in the thrilling gold medal winning performance at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010. She was made an Offi cer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

One of the sweetest shots in the game belongs to MARIA TUTAIA who made her Silver Ferns debut in 2005, the same year she helped the national under-21 team to victory in the World Youth Championships. The goal attack is renowned for her smooth turn-and-shoot game from anywhere in the shooting circle. She dazzled fans at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi with a standout performance in netball’s longest ever test match, sinking the long-range goal which put the Silver Ferns on top of the Games’ podium. Tutaia started the ANZ Championship era wearing Waikato-BOP Magic colours but returned to her Auckland home to play for the Northern Mystics in 2010, where she formed a potent combination with Cathrine Latu.

After winning the 2005 World Youth Championships with the NZU21team, KATRINA GRANT progressed to NZA and was added to the Silver Ferns team in March 2008 following good performances as a training camp invitee. Katrina was named in the Silver Ferns team for the fi rst time in August 2008 to play Australia in the New World Netball Series. Since then Katrina has formed a great defensive com-bination with captain Casey Williams and was pivotal in the defeat of Australia in the Commonwealth Games fi nal in 2010. The 24-year-old goal defence came to prominence in the ANZ Championship with the Southern Steel but shifted to the Central Pulse where she has shown considerable leadership qualities as the team’s captain.

LIANA LEOTA (nee BARRETT-CHASE) made her test debut in 2008, playing at wing attack to help the Silver Ferns defeat Australia 46-41 in the 1st Test of the Holden Series. She then made the starting line-up for the 2nd Test in Brisbane, played at wing attack in all three tests of the 2009 New World Series against the World 7. In 2005 Leota was a member of the NZU21 team, alongside six of her Silver Ferns team mates, which won gold at the World Youth Championships in 2005. The 26-year-old Taihape born midfi elder has been a rock solid part of the Southern Steel since 2008, and last year she was named the Most Valuable Player in the ANZ Championship. She was co-captain of the Southern Steel in the 2011 campaign.

After a several seasons on the international beach volleyball circuit, ANNA SCARLETT decided to return to playing netball in 2010. Raised in the small settlement of Karamea on the South Island’s west coast, Scarlett fi rst made the Silver Ferns back in 2002, travelling to the Commonwealth Games with the team as a training player. She made her debut for the Silver Fern in 2002. She has played 53 times for the Ferns and was part of the teams that won the 2003 World Championships and 2006 Common-wealth Games gold medals. Scarlett now has another Commonwealth Games gold medal under her belt as she played an integral part in the Silver Ferns win over in Australia in Delhi, 2010.

Beginning her international career in South Africa where she earned 34 caps, LEANA DE BRUIN moved to NZ in 2001 and joined the Southern Sting. She made the Silver Ferns team a year later and solidifi ed her place in the team, being part of the victorious 2003 World Championship, plus the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medal winning teams. In 2011 de Bruin was fourth for intercepts out of all players in the ANZ Championship and sits at the top of the leader board for defl ections. Leana was named the best Goal Keeper in the 2011 ANZ Championship season and was selected in the ANZC All Star Team. Leana is one of the most respected defenders in world netball and will turn 34 during the world championships in Singapore.

For more information visit www.mynetball.co.nz

MEET THE SILVER FERNS continued on page 14

Captain CASEY WILLIAMS

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MEET THECaptain CASEY WILLIAMS Captain CASEY WILLIAMS

and off the court. Her attributes in the defensive circle speak volumes. Williams was selected in the

MEET THEMEET THEMEET THEMEET THEMEET THECaptain CASEY WILLIAMS

MEET THEMEET THEMEET THECaptain CASEY WILLIAMS

and off the court. Her attributes in the defensive circle speak volumes. Williams was selected in the Captain CASEY WILLIAMS

and off the court. Her attributes in the defensive circle speak volumes. Williams was selected in the Captain CASEY WILLIAMS

and off the court. Her attributes in the defensive circle speak volumes. Williams was selected in the and off the court. Her attributes in the defensive circle speak volumes. Williams was selected in the national team in 2004 and made her test debut the following year against Barbados. She was part of

MEET THEMEET THECaptain CASEY WILLIAMS

and off the court. Her attributes in the defensive circle speak volumes. Williams was selected in the

MEET THECaptain CASEY WILLIAMS

and off the court. Her attributes in the defensive circle speak volumes. Williams was selected in the national team in 2004 and made her test debut the following year against Barbados. She was part of

MEET THECaptain CASEY WILLIAMS

and off the court. Her attributes in the defensive circle speak volumes. Williams was selected in the national team in 2004 and made her test debut the following year against Barbados. She was part of

MEET THE


After a one year break from the Silver Ferns, PAULA GRIFFIN is still its youngest member at 22 – young enough to captain the NZU21 team which finished second in the 2009 World Youth Championships. Griffin joined the Silver Ferns team in September 2006 and was called up to the team for the Silver Ferns tour to England in May 2007, followed two months later by her on-court debut against Jamaica. Griffin played for the Central Pulse in the 2010 ANZ Championship before she took a complete break from netball which meant she missed out on the Silver Ferns gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games. She signed with the Southern Steel this year and played every game, showing excellent shooting form to regain her Silver Ferns spot.

A member of the Youth Championship winning NZU21 team, attacker ANNA THOMPSON joined the Silver Ferns team in 2008. Prior to making the Silver Ferns she spent five years playing in the National Bank Cup and for NZA. During the four years of the ANZ Championship she has played for the Canterbury Tactix. Thompson was named in the Silver Ferns team for the 2009 New World Netball Series against the World 7, and made her debut in the 2nd Test of that Series on 26 August 2009. Thompson is a versatile player equally comfortable playing at wing attack or goal attack. She played a key role in the gold medal won by the FastNet Ferns in Liverpool in 2010.

As a teenager JOLINE HENRY was selected into Netball New Zealand’s high performance pro-gramme and has not looked back since. At 28-years-old and with 58 test caps behind her, Henry is one of the Silver Ferns’ veterans having been a regular in the black dress since 2003. Her career may have started in the shooting circle but the Wanganui-born netballer has flourished since moving into a defensive role. Her steely determination is matched by her exceptional aerial skills, speed and tight marking in the wing defence role. Henry is equally comfortable in the goal defence role and has been a crucial cog in the defensive line since moving to the Northern Mystics in 2010, helping the franchise to their first ever ANZ Championship final in 2011.

Another of the younger contingent to make the step-up from the 2005 World LAURA LANGMAN has the skills to cover all three midcourt positions – wing defence (where she debuted for the Silver Ferns in 2005 at the age of 19), centre and wing attack. Langman’s speed, agility and vision into the shooting circle make her a handful for any opponent. She was selected into the NZU21 side at just 16 and captained New Zealand to victory in the World Youth Championships in 2005. Langman has taken the court in every Silver Ferns test since making the team as a teenager. Her 70 test caps include two Common-wealth Games gold medals in 2006 and 2010. Langman was selected for the Waikato-BOP Magic team while still at school and has stayed loyal to them for the four years of the ANZ Championship era.

Since making her Silver Ferns debut in 2000, IRENE VAN DYK has steadily added to her already amazing bag of tricks in the shooting circle. Known for her accuracy under the post, van Dyk is New Zealand’s most capped netballer with 120 appearances. Van Dyk grew up on a farm just outside of Johannesburg but made New Zealand her home in 2000 and became a citizen of her adopted country in 2005. She helped the Silver Ferns to world championship glory in 2003 and to two Common-wealth Games crowns in 2006 and 2010. She was named Sportswoman of the Year at the 2004 Halberg Awards, and her services to the game were honoured in 2009 when she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Midcourt livewire TEMEPARA GEORGE is an integral part of the Silver Ferns and is vice-captain of the team in Singapore. The mother-of-two has played a key role in some of the Ferns’ most memorable victories including the world championship win in 2003 and two Commonwealth Games gold medal winning performances in 2006 and 2010. She took a hiatus from the game in 2007 but returned to the court for the Northern Mystics in the 2008 ANZ Championship and made a welcome return to international netball in 2009. Having made her first Silver Ferns team in 1996, her experience is a valued asset for the team heading into a world championship campaign. George was also instrumental in leading the Mystics to their maiden ANZ Championship grand final.

Meet the Silver FernS continued from page 13 For more information visit www.mynetball.co.nz


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Anna Thompson Paula Griffi n Charlotte Kight Camilla Lees Joline Henry Temepara George (VC) Irene van Dyk Katrina Grant Casey Williams (C) Anna Scarlett Maria Tutaia Laura Langman Leana de Bruin Cathrine Latu Liana Leota Wendy Frew Daneka Wipiiti

NNZ 0105_90x410mm_07.indd 1 14/06/11 4:32 PM

POOL A

Australia

Sri Lanka (Asia)

Northern Ireland(Europe)

Samoa (Oceania)

POOL B

New Zealand

Trinidad & Tobago(Americas & Caribbean)

Fiji (Oceania)

Wales (Europe)

POOL C

Jamaica

Singapore

South Africa (Africa)

Botswana (Africa)

POOL D

England

Malawi

Barbados(Americas & Caribbean)

Malaysia (Asia)

WORLD NETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS GAME SCHEDULE

Date NZ Time Game Pool Team 1 Team 2 Score

Sun 3 July 11.00pm 1 C Singapore Botswana

Mon 4 July 3.00pm 2 C Jamaica South Africa

5.15pm 3 A Australia Samoa

5.15pm 4 B Trinidad & Tobago Wales

7.30pm 5 B New Zealand Fiji

7.30pm 6 A Sri Lanka Northern Ireland

9.45pm 7 D England Malawi

12.00am 8 D Barbados Malaysia

Tues 5 July 3.00pm 9 B Fiji Trinidad & Tobago

5.15pm 10 D England Barbados

5.15pm 11 A Samoa Sri Lanka

7.30pm 12 B New Zealand Wales

7.30pm 13 C Jamaica Botswana

9.45pm 14 A Australia Northern Ireland

12.00am 15 C Singapore South Africa

12.00am 16 D Malawi Malaysia

Wed 6 July 3.00pm 17 A Northern Ireland Samoa

5.15pm 18 B Fiji Wales

5.15pm 19 D Malawi Barbados

7.30pm 20 B New Zealand Trinidad & Tobago

7.30pm 21 D England Malaysia

9.45pm 22 C Singapore Jamaica

12.00am 23 A Australia Sri Lanka

12.00am 24 C South Africa Botswana

C Jamaica

3 A Australia

4 B Trinidad & Tobago

New Zealand

6 A Sri Lanka

7 D England

D Barbados

B Fiji

D England

A

Samoa

Wales

Northern Ireland

Trinidad & Tobago Wales

New Zealand Fiji

Sri Lanka Northern Ireland

Malawi

Malaysia

Trinidad & Tobago

Barbados

7.30pm

9.45pm

12.00am 8

3.00pm 9

5.15pm 10

5.15pm 11 A

7.30pm 12 B

7.30pm

Barbados

Trinidad & Tobago

England Barbados

Samoa Sri Lanka

New Zealand Wales

C Jamaica Botswana

Australia Northern Ireland

C Singapore South Africa

16 D Malawi

3.00pm 17 A Northern Ireland

Fiji

7.30pm

9.45pm

Botswana

Northern Ireland

South Africa

Malaysia

Northern Ireland Samoa

Wales

Barbados

Trinidad & Tobago

Malaysia

22 C Singapore Jamaica

23 A Australia

Trinidad & Tobago

Barbados

Australia

Trinidad & Tobago

New Zealand

Sri Lanka

Barbados

England

Samoa

B7.30pm

7.30pm

3

6

7

8

A

Botswana

Northern Ireland

South Africa

Northern Ireland

22

Wales

Northern Ireland

Tues 5 July

Trinidad & Tobago

Malaysia

Jamaica

24 C South Africa

Trinidad & Tobago

Malaysia

Jamaica

Sri Lanka

Trinidad & Tobago

Malaysia

Jamaica

Sri Lanka

South Africa2424 South Africa

2 C

5.15pm 3

Tues 5 July

Trinidad & Tobago

Jamaica

11.00pm 1 C Singapore Botswana

3.00pm 2 Jamaica South Africa

5.15pm Samoa

Trinidad & Tobago

Jamaica

Sri Lanka

24 South Africa Botswana

5.15pm

7.30pm

7.30pm

4

5 B

Sri Lanka

7.30pm 13

9.45pm 14

C

14 A Australia

15 C Singapore

12.00am

3.00pm

5.15pm 18 B Fiji

5.15pm 19 D Malawi

7.30pm 20 B

7.30pm 21

9.45pm

Northern Ireland

South Africa

Malaysia

Samoa

Wales

Malawi Barbados

New Zealand Trinidad & Tobago

D England Malaysia

Singapore

9.45pm

12.00am

12.00am

14

12.00am

12.00am

9.45pm

12.00am

Malawi

New Zealand

D

Wed 6 July

7.30pm

7.30pm

Wed 6 July

7.30pm

7.30pm

9.45pm

12.00am

Wed 6 July

9.45pm

12.00am

9.45pm

12.00am12.00am

5.15pm

5.15pm

7.30pm

Tues 5 July

Wed 6 July

5.15pm

5.15pm

Tues 5 July

Wed 6 JulyWed 6 July

9.45pm

12.00am

12.00am

Sri Lanka

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STORE TODAY, WHILE STOCKS LAST.

SILVER FERNS 2011

GET IN THE GAME

Anna Thompson Paula Griffi n Charlotte Kight Camilla Lees Joline Henry Temepara George (VC) Irene van Dyk Katrina Grant Casey Williams (C) Anna Scarlett Maria Tutaia Laura Langman Leana de Bruin Cathrine Latu Liana Leota Wendy Frew Daneka Wipiiti

NNZ 0105_90x410mm_07.indd 1 14/06/11 4:32 PM

Thu 7 July 3.00pm 25 Play off 9:16 D3 A4

5.15pm 26 Play off 9:16 B3 C4

7.30pm 27 Play off 9:16 A3 D4

9.45pm 28 Play off 9:16 C3 B4

Fri 8 July 3.00pm 29 Play off 9:16 Loser G25 Loser G26

5.15pm 30 QF 1:8 D1 A2

5.15pm 31 Play off 9:16 Loser G27 Loser G28

7.30pm 32 QF 1:8 B1 C2

7.30pm 33 Play off 9:16 Winner G25 Winner G26

9.45pm 34 QF 1:8 A1 D2

12.00am 35 QF 1:8 C1 B2

12.00am 36 Play off 9:16 Winner G27 Winner G28

Sat 9 July 3.00pm 37 Play off for 11th/12th Loser G36 Loser G33

3.00pm 38 Play off for 15th/16th 9:16 Loser G31 Loser G29

5.15pm 39 Play off for 9th/10th Winner G36 Winner G33

5.15pm 40 Play off for 13th/14th 9:16 Winner G31 Winner G29

7.30pm 41 SF 1:8 Winner G32 Winner G30

9.45pm 42 SF 1:8 Winner G34 Winner G35

12.00am 43 SF 1:8 Loser G30 Loser G35

12.00am 44 SF 1:8 Loser G32 Loser G34

Sun 10 July 2.00pm 45 Play off for 7th/8th Loser G43 Loser G44

4.15pm 46 Play off for 5th/6th Winner G43 Winner G44

6.30pm 47 Play off for 3rd/4th Loser G42 Loser G41

8.45pm 48 Final for 1st/2nd Winner G42 Winner G41

5.15pm

5.15pm

7.30pm

9.45pm

Thu 7 July 3.00pm

5.15pm

Fri 8 July 3.00pm 29 Play off 9:16

5.15pm

5.15pm

A4

C4

D4

Loser G25

D1

Play off 9:16 Loser G27

QF 1:8 B1

Play off 9:16 Winner G25

9.45pm 34 QF 1:8 A1

12.00am 35 QF 1:8

12.00am 36 Play off 9:16

Thu 7 July 3.00pm 25 Play off 9:16 D3

5.15pm 26

7.30pm 27

9.45pm

Fri 8 July 3.00pm

Sat 9 July

WORLD NETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS GAME SCHEDULE

Date NZ Time Game Pool Team 1 Team 2 Score

COACH: Silver Ferns coach RUTH AITKEN has been in charge of the national side since 2001, during some of the most memorable games in the history of the sport. She was at the helm for the double extra-time Commonwealth Games fi nal thriller in Manchester in 2002 which the Ferns heartbreakingly lost to Australia. But she and her charges turned the tables in Melbourne in 2006 and repeated the feat in Delhi last year, when the Silver Ferns defended their title in what many now regard as the best game ever – New Zealand beating Australia in double extra-time and sudden death. Aitken’s mother Dorothy Fathers was an international umpire and Aitken represented New Zealand as a player at the 1979 world championships in Trinidad and Tobago. She was made Silver Ferns coach in 2001 and ever since has been one of New Zealand’s most successful international coaches, taking the Silver Ferns to the top of the podium at two Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010) and the 2003 world championships in Jamaica. She was made an Offi cer of the Order of Merit for services to netball in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

ASSISTANT COACH: WAIMARAMA TAUMAUNU’s reputation as a fi erce defender on court transferred over to her coaching resume. The former Silver Ferns captain has been well respected during her 20 years coaching at international level. The straight-talking Wai had stints as the National Performance Director for All England Netball (1998-2003), Assistant Coach for England (2003 world championships), NZA Team coach, and Silver Ferns Assistant Coach in 1997-98. She resumed the role with the Silver Ferns in May 2008 to work with Ruth Aitken and the duo led the national side to Commonwealth Games glory in 2010. Taumaunu represented New Zealand from 1981-91, including the 1987 world championship winning team. She captained the Silver Ferns from 1989 to 1991.

SPECIALIST COACH: LYN GUNSON has a rich history with New Zealand netball and stepped back into the Silver Ferns fold in 2009 where she has been a crucial cog in the development of the Silver Ferns attacking court. Gunson captained the national team for 11 years, guiding them to two World Games titles and one world championship crown. She was at the helm of the Ferns for three years, coaching them to 45 wins in 49 tests. Gunson also spent time coaching in England taking their national side to the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the world championships the following year.

MANAGER: Developing from her role in High Performance, ESTHER MOLLOY joined the Silver Ferns management team in 2009. As someone who has worked alongside the Silver Ferns management team for several years, Esther has proved to be an excellent addition to the team with her knowledge of the game.

DOCTOR: An affi nity with netball makes DR JUDE GOULDEN an ideal fi t within the Silver Ferns camp. Known by the team as ‘Dr Jude’, she fi rst travelled with the national side to Jamaica in 2002 and then the 2003 and 2007 world championship cam-paigns. Dr Goulden fi rst played netball as a youngster in Edinburgh before moving to New Zealand where she continued to don the netball skirt in Palmerston North.

PHYSIOTHERAPIST: SHARON KEARNEY is the offi cial Netball New Zealand medical co-ordinator and Silver Ferns physio-therapist. Kearney, who played senior club netball on Auckland’s North Shore while she studied physiotherapy, stepped into the Ferns camp in 1993 as the team physio and spent four years in the role. She continued her involvement at regional and national level and was re-appointed as Silver Ferns physiotherapist in 2002. Kearney has also travelled to three World Youth tournaments.

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FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAURA LANGMAN, NEW ZEALAND. POSITION: MIDCOURT. CAPS: 68

Laura Langman has one other personal goal at the world championships other than holding aloft the trophy – she wants to be a force to be reckoned with. Opposition teams may think the experienced 25-year-old is that already but Langman says she has not yet reached her goals as an international midcourter.

“I want to reconnect in that Silver Ferns environment and ideally stamp my mark in the centre role, as part of the midcourt combination. Both our attacking and defensive ends are renowned for having great dominance so I think it will be great if our midcourt could be well known in the same way.

“I’d like to be part of that from centre. I love how you get the best of both worlds essentially by being part of both the attacking and defensive ends, plus I love being able to run up and down the court. It suits my game and my personality to be involved as much as possible.”

Langman’s boundless energy and never-say-never attitude has inspired the Silver Ferns in countless test matches since her debut back in 2005. Now she wants to help inspire the team to knock over Australia consistently.

“I’ve always been a very competitive person and it is defi nitely intrinsic within me. Being involved with the Silver Ferns and winning (last year) in Delhi is addictive and I want to enjoy some more of that.

“Back-to-back victories over Australia would be great. We have been known for a long time now as a team to pull off the one-off game to win but they still retain that record of continuously beating us. It is time that we Kiwis change that momentum and I think we defi nitely have the personnel to do it at the world champs.”

MARIA TUTAIA, NEW ZEALAND. POSITION: GOAL ATTACK. CAPS: 57

The talented Maria Tutaia has carried a country’s expectations as ‘the next superstar’ on her shoulders ever since she made her Silver Ferns debut back in 2005 aged 18.

Her career has progressed well since then but undoubtedly peaked last year in Delhi, when from long range the goal attack landed her team’s last seven shots to win the fi nal in sudden death.

Tutaia is modest about her performance and is the fi rst to concede her team mates did not receive enough credit for the win, especially midcourt tyro Laura Langman.

But she has put all the hype well and truly behind her, has a new training regime and a fresh focus ahead of the biggest netball event of all.

“For me I have increased the amount of shooting sessions I do. I used to shoot three to four times a week, but now have lifted that to six times. It has been hugely benefi cial for me.”

Tutaia has formed a world class combination with goal shoot Irene van Dyk that is the envy of every international netball coach.

“I still see Irene van Dyk as a mentor. It is every young girl’s dream in this country to be playing alongside her. We instinctively know what each other is going to do and that comes with many years playing together. We don’t really have a plan. We play to each other’s strengths and try to focus on that. When we play against a top line defensive team, we will come up with strategies to combat them but generally we play it by ear.

“But we can’t do the job without the midcourt. They are the ones who bring the ball down and if they don’t do that, we can’t put the ball through the hoop.”

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH continued on page 22

Who will take out the coveted MVP of the tournament award? We profi le fi ve likely contenders.


NATALIE VON BERTOUCH, AUSTRALIA. POSITION: CENTRE. CAPS: 61

New Australian Diamonds captain Natalie von Bertouch has no doubts she is up to the task. The 28-year-old centre takes over from the injured Sharelle McMahon but has plenty of top line experience behind her.

“I’m not at all worried. Sharelle has had lots of injuries over the years so I have stepped up and been acting captain a number of times. I am pretty confident I know what to do and just pretty excited.”

The Australians are also without dynamic wing attack Lauren Nourse but von Bertouch has faith in a very strong squad to cover.

“To lose those two is a huge blow but over the years we have had fantastic players out with injury many times and we have always had confidence in the squad. We know whoever is out there we can win.”

Von Bertouch regards losing to the Silver Ferns in Delhi last year as her darkest day in netball. Nothing but revenge in Singapore will do.

“We were so disappointed with losing so we can’t wait to get back and turn that result around at the world champs. It was a loss that really hurt us and did take us a while to get over. We hate losing to New Zealand at any time.”

JOANNE HARTEN, ENGLAND. POSITION: GOAL SHOOT. CAPS: 11

England have never won the world championships and since the first event in 1963 have only once finished in the top two placings. However, over the last few years the gap between themselves and the top two teams New Zealand and Australia has definitely been closing.

This year they were very competitive against the Silver Ferns and Jamaica, despite losing both series, and there are optimistic noises coming from their camp ahead of Singapore.

Goal shoot Joanne Harten is one of the rising breed of young English players set to make a mark at the championships. The 22-year-old made her debut in New Zealand at the 2007 world champs but really came to the fore last year as England beat Jamaica to take home the bronze medal from the Commonwealth Games.

Harten played a full part in England’s 2-1 loss to Jamaica in a highly competitive series in April. England missed key defenders Sonia McKloma and Geva Mentor, who were involved in the ANZ Championship, but Harten’s combination with Pamela Cookey and Rachel Dunn was one of England’s highlights to take from the series and fuel the optimism ahead of the world championships.

ROMELDA AIKEN, JAMAICA. POSITION: GOAL SHOOT. CAPS: 40Fresh from a standout campaign with the unbeaten Firebirds in the ANZ Cham-

pionship, Romelda Aiken is in the best form of her career. The 1.96m tall goal shoot was head and shoulders above the best Australasian defenders during the Firebirds triumphant campaign. The 22-year-old Jamaican has added strength and a more robust attitude during her four seasons playing in Australia. She looms as a potential match winner in Singapore but says there is a lot more room for improvement in her game and she is striving to get it right in the big match-ups to come.

“I need to understand the game a lot more and make sure I nail the close shots I have missed. To be physically ready for the games has been a big learning for me as some-times the defenders really come at you.”

Aiken was impressed with how the new players went in Jamaica’s 2-1 series victory over the higher ranked England team in April.

“We have had to blood some new girls in the team. One of our promising youngsters is shooter Anna-Kay Griffiths who played well against New Zealand and Australia last year. We are still working hard and Jill McIntosh is in Jamaica training the girls for world champs so we will see how we go.”

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH continued from page 21


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New Zealand’s First Lady of netball looks back at golden moments at the world championships. By Peter White

SUCCESS FROM ADVERSITY

The 1979 win was forged against a backdrop of diffi culty today’s players would fi nd hard to believe. The games were played outside during the rainy season in Trinidad and Tobago, with long, frustrating delays as a result.

“Our shooters would look up and get water in their eye sockets. We played on a tennis court-type surface so the courts got very, very slippery to play on. The day we were playing Barbados we arrived at 2pm, but didn’t get on court until 11pm. We only had the food we brought with us for after the match.

“The crowd got upset and hostile when we won the tournament. Their scorers and timekeepers spat on us, our team bus was rocked and we needed police protection back to our hotel. It was all pretty dramatic.”

No such dramas in Glasgow in 1987 when the Silver Ferns were in a class of their own, despite playing 12 games in just 13 days. Muir rates them a great team, led by Leigh Gibbs and featuring the likes of Tracey Fear, Sandra Edge, Rita Fatialofa, Julie Townsend and Wai Taumaunu.

“I was fortunate fi ve players had played in the fi nal loss to Australia in Singapore four years earlier, so they knew what it was like to be close but not to make it. This experienced group had a high work rate and set very high standards. We shared the knowledge so well among the group, which I think fast tracked some of the younger players to understand better what was going to happen to them.

“They wanted to make each other look good out there. They were at peace with themselves and no opposition got within 10 points of this team. We restricted Australia to just six goals a quarter which was almost as good as winning a world championship!”

Muir’s passion for the Silver Ferns and the sport has never wavered. As a coach she found it exciting to see players grow in front of her eyes to reach new levels on and off the court.

“Every time you wear the silver fern you are expected to never play at less than your best, which is not possible. It is how you handle the pressure that marks you as a true champion. It is all about quality sweat then you will get the rewards.”

Talking to Dame Lois Muir about the world netball championships is one of the great privileges in New Zealand sport, for no one has her range of experience at the marquee event.

She has missed just two since she was vice captain of the Silver Ferns at the inaugural tournament in 1963. From 1975 to 1987 she coached the Ferns at four consecutive tourna-ments, a record not matched by any other coach, including two titles won in 1979 and 1987.

Muir has attended every world championships since 1991 and will lead a tour party of 42 fortunate fans to Singapore. She will be in attendance when Ruth Aitken passes her New Zealand record of 107 games in charge.

“I’m excited for Ruth,” Muir says. “It’s such hard work now with all the media pressure and intensity she is under. Records are made to be broken. I love to see them go.”

Aitken was a goal shoot in the champion team of 1979. Muir remembers she was willing to listen, never got fl ustered and set high standards.

“Ruth is level headed and communicates very well as a coach. It’s her hallmark really.”


Lois Muir and Julie Carter – image supplied by Netball NZ

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NZ’s PROUD RECORD

page 26

Australia and New Zealand fans are used to fi nals netball

■ The Silver Ferns have won four titles – three outright and one tied.

■ New Zealand is the only country to have hosted the World Championship/Tournament on three occasions – Auckland 1975, Christchurch 1999 and Auckland 2007.

■ The Silver Ferns have played 112 World Championship matches for a record of 101 wins, 10 losses and one draw – a 90% win record.

■ The Silver Ferns lost two games at the 1995 World Championship in Birmingham – the only time they have lost two matches at a World Championship. Eight of their 10 losses at World Championships have been to arch rivals Australia; the other two to England and South Africa.

■ The Silver Ferns only draw at the World Championships was against Australia in 1975 in Auckland.

■ Thirteen Silver Ferns have played at three World Championships – Margaret Forsyth, Leigh Gibbs,

NZ’s PROUD RECORD For more information visit www.mynetball.co.nz

page 27

Lyn Gunson, Joan Harnett, Margaret Matenga, Anna Rowberry, Lesley Rumball, Julie Seymour, Tracy Shortland, Wai Taumaunu, Yvonne Willering, Adine Wilson and Sandra Edge.

■ Leana de Bruin (who played for South Africa in 1999) and Irene van Dyk (who played for South Africa in 1995 and 1999) will play at their third World Championships in Singapore for the Silver Ferns.

■ Dame Lois Muir coached the Silver Ferns to four World Tournaments/Championships (1975, 1979, 1983 & 1987) which is more than any other New Zealand coach. Taini Jamison (1967, 1971) and Ruth Aitken (2003, 2007) have both coached the Silver Ferns at two World Championships and Aitken will lead the side for the third time in Singapore.

■ Lyn Gunson is the only player to captain the Silver Ferns at two World Championships (1979, 1983).

■ Anna Thompson, Liana Leota & Katrina Grant are the only players in this year’s Silver Ferns team yet to play at a World Championship.

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Australia’s motivation to win in 2011 may be greater than any other time, after losing their No 1 ranking and the gold medal to the Silver Ferns in Delhi last year. Injured captain Sharelle McMahon and midcourt star Lauren Nourse will be missed but the Diamonds have great depth, and will be a huge obstacle for the Silver Ferns to get past to win gold.

Current World Ranking: 2Website: www.netball.asn.au Captain: Natalie von BertouchWorld Championship Record:1963: 1 1967: 2 1971: 1 1975: 11979: 1 1983: 1 1987: 2 1991: 11995: 1 1999: 1 2003: 2 2007: 1

AUSTRALIA

Goal shoot Noleen Lennon has captained Northern Ireland to unprecedented success over the last 18 months, including winning the prestigious, cross-continental Nations Cup in Singapore last year against mostly higher ranked teams. During that period Northern Ireland’s ranking has improved from 19th to 12th, and under the astute coaching of former player Elaine Rice they will contest their fi rst world fi nals since 1999.

Current World Ranking: 12Website: www.netballni.org Captain: Noleen LennonWorld Championship Record:1963: 11 1971: 8 1975: 9 1979: 17 1983: 7 1987: 10 1991: 12 1995: 18 1999: 16

NORTHERN IRELAND

Samoan coach and former Silver Fern Linda Vagana is realistic about their chances with such an inexperienced team competing in Singapore. She was hopeful of picking up to seven players from the ANZ Championships but in the end none were available. Much will depend on veteran Waikato-BOP Magic midcourter Francis Solia and goal keep Monique Vaai, who returned to international netball last year after an absence of fi ve years.

Current World Ranking: 9Website: www.samoanetball.ws Captain: Frances SoliaWorld Championship Record:1991: 8 1995: 9 1999: 9 2003: 6 2007: 8

SAMOA

The Silver Ferns are the No 1 ranked team in the world ahead of the tournament. Last year’s victory over Australia in Delhi will be the starting point for their campaign, and there is a rich vein of experience throughout a squad full of superstars. Shooters Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia will attract headlines but the outstanding defenders, led by captain Casey Williams, may hold the key to victory.

Current World Ranking: 1Website: www.mynetball.co.nzCaptain: Casey WiliamsWorld Championship Record:1963: 2 1967: 1 1971: 2 1975: 31979: 1 1983: 1 1987: 1 1991: 21995: 3 1999: 2 2003: 1 2007: 2

NEW ZEALAND

Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso Girls are ranked eighth in the world and have a proud history at the world championships, sharing the title in 1979. Australian coach Karen Worland had plenty to think about after her team lost 3-0 to Jamaica in April but there were positive signs, especially the speed and accuracy through the mid court and some towering height in defence.

Current World Ranking: 8Website: www.netball.org Captain: Janelle BarkerWorld Championship Record:1963: 4 1967: 5 1971: 4 1975: 41979: 1 1983: 3 1987: 2 1995: 6 1999: 8 2003: 10 2007: 11

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Three new caps will form a new-look Fijian side captained by veteran defender Matila Waqanidrola, with the assistance of goal shoot Seruwaia Vonolagi. Waqanidrola, Mere Rabuka and Simone Nalatu are the only players with world championships experience. Wellington-based Jacinta Lal and Wales-based Maria Lutua are two promising players but the ever-popular Fijians will miss accurate shooter Matelita Shaw Tadulala.

Current World Ranking: 5Website: www.netball.org Captain: Matila WaqanidrolaWorld Championship Record:1975: 8 1987: 8 1991: 11 1999: 6 2003: 8 2007: 9

FIJI

It is 20 years since Wales had a top 10 fi nish at the world championships but the pre-cocious talent of 17-year-old goal shoot Chelsea Lewis has swelled confi dence in the valleys this year. The 1.88cm student made a real impact in helping Wales win the Six Nations Cup in Singapore last December. Wales are coached by New Zealander and former Fiji coach Melissa Walker.

Current World Ranking: 14Website: www.welshnetball.co.uk Captains: Suzy Drane, Sara HaleWorld Championship Record:1963: 10 1971: 7 1975: 6 1979: 6 1983: 8 1991: 7 1995: 17 1999: 14 2003: 14 2007: 12

WALES

The Singapore event will be the Lankans fi rst appearance at the world championships since 1999. Political squabbles have hurt the team hard, with only fi ve of the 12 players who help-ed their team win the 2009 Asian Championships available for selection. But they do have some experienced players, including captain and accurate goal shoot Shashika Samara-singhe, who has represented Sri Lanka since 2000, and wing defence Gayathri Lankathilaka.

Current World Ranking: 15Website: www.netball.org Captain: Shashika SamarasingheWorld Championship Record:1963: 9 1983: 14 1987: 16 1991: 15 1995: 19 1999: 21

POOL B

International Profi les continued on page 30

INTERNATIONAL TEAM PROFILESProfi les of the 16 teams competing at the 2011 World Netball Championship. The teams qualifi ed for the fi nals by

the following criteria: the top fi ve from Auckland 2007, the top two teams from Africa, America and the Caribbean, Asia, Europe and Oceania, plus host country Singapore.

POOL A


SRI LANKA

Oberon Pitterson returns as coach after fi ve years away to join Australian technical director Jill McIntosh. The Sunshine Girls have looked sharp in 2011, winning their fi rst series over England since 1998 and drawing with Australia. They are serious title conten-ders, with six players back from winning bronze in Auckland in 2007 including new captain Nadine Bryan, Althea Byfi eld, Sasher-Gaye Henry and superstar shooter Romelda Aiken.

Current World Ranking: 4Website: http://jamaicanetball.org.jm Captain: Nadine BryanWorld Championship Record:1963: 5 1967: 6 1971: 4 1975: 51979: 5 1983: 5 1987: 5 1991: 51995: 5 1999: 4 2003: 3 2007: 3

JAMAICA

South Africa are ranked sixth in the world and defi nitely a team to watch. They have a new coach in Elize Kotze, who has a superb record in domestic netball, and have plenty of on-court leadership in captain Amanda Mynhardt and wing attack/centre Nthabiseng Moabi. Kotze has made it clear a top four fi nish is their goal in Singapore after they fi nished in sixth spot in Auckland in 2007.

Current World Ranking: 6Website: www.netball-sa.co.za Captain: Amanda MynhardtWorld Championship Record:1963: 6 1967: 3 1995: 2 1999: 5 2003: 5 2007: 6

SOUTH AFRICA

Botswana’s two highly competitive performances against South Africa, in the tri-series they hosted in May, were a huge boost ahead of the world championships. Botswana’s attack was impressive, especially from goal attack and captain Portia Rasekhumba who took out the player of the tournament award. Botswana are hopeful of improving on their 10th placing at their only other appearance at the worlds in 2007.

Current World Ranking: 18Website: www.netball.org Captain: Portia RasekhumbaWorld Championship Record:2007: 10

BOTSWANA

Perennial under-achievers England could be a serious threat, according to former Silver Ferns captain Anna Stanley. Certainly they have shown some promising signs in recent series against the Silver Ferns and Jamaica. Their trio of shooters Pam Cookey, Joanne Harten and Rachel Dunn are quality, plus they have experienced defenders in Sonia Mkloma and Geva Mentor. But their ability to win against the ‘big two’ remains in doubt.

Current World Ranking: 3Website: www.englandnetball.co.ukCaptains: Karen Atkinson, Sonia MklomaWorld Championship Record:1963: 3 1967: 4 1971: 3 1975: 21979: 4 1983: 4 1987: 4 1991: 41995: 4 1999: 3 2003: 4 2007: 4

ENGLAND

The Queens were a huge favourite of the fans at the 2007 championships in Auckland with their entertaining playing style and post-match dancing. Lethal shooter Mwawi Kumwenda played club netball in Melbourne this year and is highly rated but the retired trio of Mary Waya, Peace Chawinga-Kalua and Esther Nkhoma will be sorely missed.

Current World Ranking: 7Website: www.netball.org Captain: Grace MwafulirwaWorld Championship Record:1995: 8 1999: 11 2007: 5

MALAWI

Coach Alwyn Babb returns after resigning his post last year citing confl ict with Barbados’ newly-elected president. Player power helped get him back, after he led the Bajans to seventh in Delhi last year, including defeating arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago. It was their best performance at a Commonwealth Games. Recalled Goal keep Shonette Azore will add stability to the defensive line.

Current World Ranking: 10Website: www.netball.org Captain: Laurel BrowneWorld Championship Record:1979: 8 1987: 6 1991: 11 1999: 10 2003: 7 2007: 13

BARBADOS

Malaysia were 16th at the 2007 world championships but have dropped back to 23rd in the world. Captain Aruna Santhappan has 30 caps and is a reliable goal shoot, while Siti Sri Dalimah, Puah Pei San and Norhayati Saaidun also played in Auckland in 2007. Their future strength is in their youth, with seven players winning gold at the Asian junior championship in Delhi last year.

Current World Ranking: 14Website: www.netball.org Captains: Aruna SanthappanWorld Championship Record:1983: 11 1987: 17 1991: 19 1995: 26 1999: 19 2007: 16

MALAYSIA

Singapore have a strong Kiwi infl uence with coach Cath Carpenter and analyst Annette Pearce reigniting their Pulse connection. They have a tough draw up against physically stronger opponents in Jamaica, South Africa and Botswana but did perform well in the recent tri-series against their African foes. They are targeting a move up the rankings to 12th.

Current World Ranking: 19Website: www.netball.org.sg Captain: Jean NgWorld Championship Record:1967: 8 1975: 10 1983: 10 1991: 101999: 12 2007: 15

SINGAPORE

POOL D

POOL C

Website:

World Championship Record:

Website:


Website:

World Championship Record:2007:

Website:


International Profi les continued from page 29 For more information visit www.netball.org


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