A daunting initiation for some, new head coach Ngarama Milner-Olsen is embracing the double-header start for Central Manawa to get their 2023 Synergy Hair National Netball League (NNL) campaign underway this weekend.
An assistant coach with the team last season, the former Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse midcourter has now stepped into the hot seat for the defending champions. With eight of her 12-strong squad having previous NNL experience, Milner-Olsen also has a sprinkling of fresh faces, leaving her with a well-balanced mix.
"It’s really important for us to ensure that we continue to build on the development of those players and keep them in the framework for the next tier,’’ she said.
"It’s also exciting to have new faces. Like any environment, when something’s new, there’s lots of learning and there will be some teething moments, but hey, that’s what the challenge is all about.
"If everything’s the same all the time, then that’s when the fire starts to go out, so it’s really important to keep that fire burning.’’
Milner-Olsen is happy with the progress made during the pre-season and a double-header this early – on Saturday (TSB Arena) and Sunday (Ākau Tangi Sports Centre), in Wellington – holds no concerns about the ability of her players to back-up from a short turnaround.
"We’ve completed a great off-season, the players know what’s expected, what this environment’s like and we’ve made some really good shifts which we’re happy with,’’ she said.
"They are raring to go and that’s what you want from them, fighting at the bit, you want them ready to unleash. I think they’re ready, there’s going to be some insight as to how well or otherwise our pre-season has gone. But 10 weeks in, we’ve still got some growth to happen and you want to contain that a bit so you’re peaking at the right time.
"It’s the first time in the environment for some, so there will be huge nerves along with my own nerves in my first time as head coach but that’s what competition is, that’s what challenge is and we’re here to do a job.’’
Experienced midcourter Jazz Scott will captain Manawa this season.
Originally from Bath in south west England, Scott is in her third year with Manawa after arriving in New Zealand nearly five years ago. She spent the first two years cooling her heels while fulfilling the overseas player requirements which were in place at the time.
Now looking to make New Zealand her permanent home, Scott forged her resume for Team Bath in the UK’s Super League where she spent six years while rubbing shoulders with England internationals Serena Guthrie, Pamela Cookey, Ebony Beckford-Chambers and Layla Guscott.
"Jazz comes with huge experience, not only in New Zealand but also in England and embodies what a high performance athlete should be,’’ Milner-Olsen said. ``She lives and breathes it and it’s really important for us to role model that to our future netballers.’’
Fellow former Pulse team-mate Cushla Lichtwark, and fresh out of winning the title with Manawa last season, seasoned campaigner Renee Matoe, join the ranks as assistant coaches.
2023 Central Manawa team:
Shooters: Kiana Pelesio, Kelston Reynolds, Emma May Murray-Fifita, Phoenix Schwalger
Midcourters: Jazz Scott, Latonya Lole, Salote Taufa, Atareta McCausland-Durie,
Defenders: Madison Thomas, Charity Polu, Zalika Clarke, Rachel Price