Silver Ferns' schedule aimed at Games

MAARTEN HOLL/Dominion Post

FITNESS TESTED: Liana Barrett-Chase should be part of the Silver Ferns' intense build-up to the Commonwealth Games next year.

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Netball New Zealand's (NNZ) management expects this year's intense international schedule to pay dividends for the Silver Ferns at the Commonwealth Games.

Chief executive Raelene Castle has confirmed the Silver Ferns would play five tests leading into the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.

Castle said it was a challenge to ensure the players had the right mix of intensity, rest and preparation leading into their Games title defence in India.

"We've been working on this plan for two years," she said.

In contrast, Australia head to Britain in February for two tests against Scotland and three against the world No3 England side, as well as the annual trans-Tasman series against the Ferns.

New Zealand's first international next year is in August, when the Ferns play two home tests against Jamaica. However, the players will attend an "intensive" 10-day camp in Brisbane in January. The players will then rejoin their teams for the 17-week ANZ Championship before hosting Jamaica and world champions Australia for two tests, with a third test to be played in Australia in September.

Castle said the organisation had been careful not to do the "same thing" as Australia, and felt a busy season this year had helped the Ferns prepare for the demands of the next two years, including the world championships in Singapore in 2011.

The Ferns played 11 tests this year, two more than other leading nations.

"This year we wanted to really push and build their resilience and replicate what it's going to be like by the time they get to a final at a Commonwealth Games to make sure they know what their body's going to feel like."

NNZ high-performance manager Tracey Fear said player feedback indicated it had been a physically and mentally tough season, but valuable ahead of "two big campaigns".

"Our intention was to overload them," Fear said. "And it was important to give as many players [as possible] world-class international experience."

The end-of-year tour was designed to "simulate" next year's Games campaign, with last month's final test against Jamaica in Kingston having the same timing as a Games final.

"Obviously, we would be after a different result next year," Fear said, referring to the 50-53 second-test loss to Jamaica.

Fear said adjusting to the hot conditions in New Delhi and Singapore would be a big factor.

"Yes, we may play in air-conditioned venues, but the change in climate still has its effects on players outside of game time."

- © Fairfax NZ News