Training sessions just hours before running on court promises to be the only chance Tasmanian Magpies netballers have to collectively prepare for games together.
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That appears the harsh reality for the new Australian Netball League club that will continue training out of two camps – Melbourne and Hobart – to best perfect their game-style and tactics on matchday over one hour for every morning of each week.
But Tasmanian coach Jon Fletcher refuses to accept logistics will upset his rookie side’s preparation ahead of the rejuvenated ANL season.
“I’m excited but it is still a little bit of unknown territory because as we are putting the team together, we haven’t had a full squad training with our Melbourne players yet,” Fletcher said.
The Collingwood-aligned club will be one of three ANL debutants – along with the Canberra Giants and the Territory Lightning – that will partner new Suncorp Super Netball teams in different states or territories.
Seven of the state Magpies are made up of homegrown Tasmanians while a supplementary list of Collingwood netballers form the remaining 12 spots on the club’s list.
Fletcher believes an intensive training camp set down in Melbourne for February 3-5 will alleviate fears the two groups of players won’t gel.
“That will gives us a better gauge and what we need to do,” he said.
“The aim will be each week when we go away that we’ll do a training run in the morning of the first game on a Saturday when we’ll get together for an hour or so, and try to keep building all that we’ve done at the camp.
“It’s a bit difficult, but it’s a good challenge for us.”
He felt Netball Tasmania’s best talent were far better off than they were under the past Tassie Spirit moniker.
Fletcher was also in charge of the state’s last attempt at the ANL in 2015, which the side battled against better resourced rivals.
“The girls are still bringing good skills to the table, so it’s not like we are teaching them how to play the game,” Fletcher said. “In both groups, they are quality players and we’re working to enable the group around them.”
Fletcher said the transition would finally deliver on the state’s ambitious plans.
“I am certainly excited about the new concept that each team is linking to a Super Netball team and certainly the opportunity for Tasmanian netballers to have a lot more defined pathway to get towards playing in the next level,” he said.