Nationals News with Lenore Blades

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The NSW 19/U Team will be looking to emulate the feat of the NSW 17/U team by winning through to the Grand Final, when they take to the court against Western Australia tonight in the semi-final of the 19/U National Netball Championships.

View the full results from the 19/U National Netball Championships

Finishing the rounds undefeated, the NSW team will enter this match as favourites, but coach Lenore Blades says that finals netball is a different ball game.

“Everything goes out the window in semi-finals, especially because it’s not a second chance semi, you’re vying for a spot in the Grand Final,” Blades explained.

“We beat WA by nine goals in the rounds, but I think you have to disregard past match-ups. I’m expecting them to be quite tenacious and physical, but we just need to make sure we get in front and keep building on the lead.”

With the semi-final scheduled for 7:30pm tonight, the NSW 19/U Team took the opportunity to go and support the NSW 17/U Team in their semi-final against Queensland this morning. This also doubled as an opportunity for the team to get out and about and soak in the finals atmosphere.

“I’m conscious that the girls are not cramped up in a room all day, so we’re out and about, stretching legs and treating the day like any normal day,” Blades said.

“Consistency, building and cutting down on our errors have been our aims this week. I’m pleased with how we’ve been going, so we now just need to put it all together over each quarter tonight.

“If we keep doing the same things that we’ve been doing all week then I think we’ll do well."

Keep up-to-date with the news from inside the NSW 19/U Team camp