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Wales are ready for the Kiwi challenge at the Commonwealth Games.
Newly-appointed coach Julie Hoornweg, an Australian with vast experience, has transformed the fortunes of Cardiff-based Superleague club Celtic Dragons – and now her focus is on the Welsh team.
New Zealand are ranked number two in the World rankings, just behind Australia, and pose a massive test for the Wales team.
The passion, enthusiasm and knowhow of Hoornweg has been a major influence in the Welsh preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Wales start against New Zealand, while they also play Scotland, England, Uganda and Malawi.
Hoornweg loves netball and that comes across when she says of her Welsh adventure: “I’m loving it.
“The players all want to learn and get better. Their attitude is first class.
“It’s a fantastic feeling.”
Silver Fern Development Squad player and Northern Mystics defender Michaela Sokolich-Beatson is the new cap for the New Zealand team in their Games squad.
She is joined by Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who has been recalled into the New Zealand team after taking two years out to start a family.
There are only three players included from the Kiwi 2014 squad in Glasgow when they won the silver medal and coach Janine Southby said: “We are really pleased to be able to name a new cap in Michaela, who had a strong ANZ Premiership season with the Mystics and her addition means we have cover for both GD and WD.
“Ameliaranne brings another layer of experience to our attacking end and her flair at both GA and GS leaves us with plenty of options up front. She has performed well for the FAST5 Ferns and is ready to return to the top level.”
Sokolich-Beatson’s call-up comes after an outstanding season for both the Mystics and New Zealand’s under-21 team who won the Netball World Youth Cup crown in Botswana.
New Zealand have won five Commonwealth Games medals since 1998, including three silver medals and two gold. They last won gold in Delhi, India during 2010 when they defeated Australia in the final.
Wales are in Pool B of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Netball competition. Their scheduled matches are as follows, all times shown are UK:
Friday April 6: 4am Wales v New Zealand
Saturday April 7: 9.30am Wales v Scotland
Monday April 9: 4am Wales v England
Tuesday April 10: 11.30am Wales v Uganda
Wednesday April 11: 10am Wales v Malawi
Following the pool matches Wales will play a medal/classification match against their positional counterpart from Pool A.
Commonwealth Games netball groups:
Pool A: Australia, Jamaica, South Africa, Barbados, Fiji, Northern Ireland.
Pool B: New Zealand, England, Malawi, Wales, Scotland, Uganda.
World netball rankings: 1 Australia; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Jamaica; 5 South Africa; 6 Malawi; 7 Uganda; 8 Northern Ireland; 9 Scotland; 10 Wales; 11 Barbados; 12 Fiji.
Welsh netball squad at the Commonwealth Games: Fern Davies, Suzy Drane (capt), Bethan Dyke, Kyra Jones, Nia Jones, Chelsea Lewis, Sarah Llewelyn, Kelly Morgan, Cara Lea Moseley, Georgia Rowe, Leila Thomas, Amanda Varey.
New Zealand netball squad: Katrina Grant (capt), Maria Folau, Kayla Cullen, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Shannon Francois, Kelly Jury, Grace Kara, Bailey Mes, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Samantha Sinclair.
