Tall Ferns head coach Kennedy Kereama has named 19 players to attend trials for the Tall Ferns basketball team to China later this month, with the players assembling in Christchurch for a four day trial beginning on Saturday August 9.

 

The trial and upcoming four nation tournament in China presents an opportunity for a number of new and emerging players to make their mark in the international game. The unavailability through injury, club, university or work commitments of a number of regular Tall Ferns opens the door for others to force their way into coach Kereama’s side on the back of the Women’s Basketball Championship (WBC).

“The timing has not been ideal for a number of players and this will be a side missing a number of experienced players, many of whom were involved in the Oceania Series last year”, said Kereama. “However, the flip side of that is the opportunity that presents to other players.

“It doesn’t matter who the player is or how much experience they may have, my expectations and standards are the same. There will be a large number of players coming out of the WBC into this group and we have always viewed the WBC as a launching pad into the Tall Ferns programme, it is an important step on the pathway and it is up to the players to prove they are worthy of ongoing selection.”

Kereama commented on some typical strengths and areas to work on within the current group.

“Irrespective of the players we have unavailable I think we still have good depth in the two and three positions. Traditionally this has been a strength of the game here in New Zealand, we have always produced good swing players.

“Our biggest challenges might be in the forward positions and in the point guard area, we are light on experience and players who know what is required to play at international level in those positions.”

Kereama will name a roster of 12 players at the end of the trial to then prepare (again in Christchurch) with a five-day camp before departing for the Four Nation Tournament in China from August 20.

The list named to trial includes four of the just crowned WBC champions Harbour Breeze with Anna Lacey, Brooke Blair, Morgan Roberts and Deana Franklin given their chance on the back of a great final tournament in Wellington. Roberts will be monitored closely after coming off in the final on Saturday with an ankle injury, it is hoped the forward can recover in time to take some part in the trial.

Hawkes Bay's and Colgate University representative Josie Stockill has be named in the Tall Fern trials in Christchurch next Saturday.
Josie was a key meeber of the Hawkes Bay national championship winning Under 15 and 17 womens teams. She has been at Colgate University a 1st division NCAA (USA) school for the past 2 years on a basketball scholarship

There are first time call-ups for Jess Tuki (Waikato), Tash Lenden (Waikato) and Junior Tall Fern Maia Wilson (Waitakere). At 6’1” Tuki offers Kereama an option in the forwards position, the former Silver Fern recently played for the Northern Mystics in the ANZ Championship and while a newcomer to this level of basketball, has that international netball experience to call upon.

Kereama says there is a chance that other players may yet also be invited to attend the trials and join the 19 on the list released today.
Players selected to trial for the Tall Ferns
Assemble in Christchurch Saturday August 9

POINT/COMBO GUARDS
Krystal Leger-Walker (Waikato Wizards)
Shea Crotty (Canterbury Wildcats)
Anna Lacey (Harbour Breeze)
Tash Lenden (Waikato Wizards)
Brooke Blair (Harbour Breeze)

SHOOTING GUARDS/ SMALL FORWARDS
Kate Fielding (Perth)
Samara Gallaher (Melbourne)
Morgan Roberts (Harbour Breeze)
Erin Rooney – (Canterbury Wildcats)
Stella Beck (Capital Flyers)
Dru Toleafoa (Sydney)
Toni Edmondson (West Coast Waves)
Hayley Gray (Canterbury Wildcats)

FORWARDS/CENTRES
Deana Franklin (Harbour Breeze)
Jessica Bygate (Nelson Sparks)
Josie Stockhill (Napier)
Jessica Tuki (Waikato Wildcats)
Natasha Hall (Waitakere Lady Rangers)
Maia Wilson (Waitakere Lady Rangers)