Introduction
In the below entry I take a look at a variety of Netball related stories.
November Netball Notes
Canterbury Tactix 2012 playing roster filled
The Canterbury Tactix have filled their 2012 roster with two top athletes; one local and a second import.
England defender Stacey Francis will be announced next week as the Tactix second import after their application to bend the rules was granted by ANZ Championships organisers TTNL.
Former Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and Northern Mystics midcourter Keshia Grant is the final piece of the Tactix 2012 puzzle.
Since starting in the sport as a 14-year-old, Francis’ rise has been a quick one. She first played in the English Superleague as a 17-year-old, played in the English under-17, under-19 and under-21 teams and now, as a 23-year-old, has played 20 tests for England including both games against the Silver Ferns earlier this month.
She prefers goal defender, but can play goal keep and wing defence too and said travelling around the world to a city still finding its feet after the February 22 earthquake, did not faze her.
An interesting move from the Canterbury Tactix.
Just how good a player is Stacey Francis?
Well you have to bear in mind that Francis will be coached by Leigh Gibbs a defensive coach. So it looks like a case of selecting Francis on potential more then anything else. If the Tactix can retain Francis for several seasons she could well develop into a very good player. Keshia Grant is a mid court player but I would think that the same would apply to her. Only time will tell if the Tactix can retain these two players and how much improvement they will show.
Complete 2012 ANZ Championship Squad
Complete Squads
Teams gains and losses
There isn’t a lot left for me to comment on. The most noticeable absentee from any of the squads is Natasha Chokljat. Why Chokljat has chosen to sit out next season I really have no idea. That only leaves the Southern Steel picking Jodi Brown and Demelza McCloud in there squad. Neither of those two players are going to offer a great deal in the future. McCloud is one of the games great characters off the court. But that won’t help her team win games.
Sharelle McMahon Podcast
My regular reader Brownie tipped me off to this podcast. For about the first ten minutes Shazza talks about her netball career and if she will turn out for the Australian Diamonds again e.t.c
New Zealand FastNet Ferns Squad named
Shooters
Irene van Dyk
Cathrine Latu
Anna Thompson
Maria Tutaia
Mid Court
Shannon Francois
Camilla Lees
Defenders
Kayla Cullen
Katrina Grant
Anna Scarlett
Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick
Jess Tuki
As farcical as I find FastNet to be, it is great to know that Katrina Grant will be making her come back from injury.
Why not have Ellen Halpenny in the squad?
Irene van Dyk will captain the side.
