Seven changes in Proteas netball team

There are seven new caps in the 12-member South African netball team that leaves on Sunday to take part in the Fastnet tournament in Liverpool.

“Several members of the team that went to the Commonwealth Games were unavailable for selection for various reasons, such as injuries, exams and other personal reasons,” explained national coach Carin Strauss.

“But this is an ideal time to blood some new players. The tournament is a different format, and although it is an IFNA (International Federation of Netball Associations) event, there are no ranking points at stake, which takes a lot of the pressure off the players.”

Strauss said the introduction of a number of younger players into the squad meant that there was a new energy in the squad.

“There’s a new vibe,” she said. “The new squad members are very excited to be here, and they are very coachable. They are not the country’s top players, but they are being given an opportunity to show us what they can do, and maybe even force their way into the regular team.”

Fastnet is the netball equivalent of Twenty20 cricket. Quarters are only six minutes long, shooters can score from inside or outside the goal circle, with goals scored from outside earning double points, and rolling substitutions are allowed throughout the match.

Each team can also select one quarter as a power play, when all goals scored are doubled.

“The format means that we can let them go on for a quarter or even less than a quarter and then take them off again, if they seem to be struggling,” said Strauss.

“They all know it’s going to be very hard work – the game is even faster than normal netball, but they are fit and should be able to last out.

“It is going to be very important to manage the power plays – I think they will be crucial to winning or losing. Scores in this form of netball will probably be very close. We also have to see how the other team responds, and it can be even more challenging if both team select the same quarter for their power plays.

“But we have some very mobile shooters, and that mobility is going to be critical.”

Strauss said some of the younger players might take some time adjusting to the noise and razzmatazz of Fastnet netball, and most would be playing in front of the biggest crowd they had encountered.

“Netball is very well supported in England,” she said. “This is a big venue, and that may come as something of a surprise to our players.”