New Blood
Tagged in: Tall Ferns
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Five new caps, including teenage Harbour centre Rebecca Dew (16), have been included in the NZ Tall Ferns team to Japan later this month.
As the Kiwi women begin their build-up towards the Beijing Olympics, the touring squad contains just one survivor from Athens in 2004 – pint-sized point guard Angela Marino. Veteran forwards Donna Wilkins (netball) and Aneka Kerr (injury) were unavailable for selection.
ìDue largely to the absences of Donna and Aneka, who would normally be in the programme, weíre looking at this as a development opportunity with a view to our China trip in June,î says Tall Fern coach Mike McHugh.
ìWe need to see how some of the younger players fare at international level and the best way is to throw them in the deep end.î
The water will be deepest for Dew (1.90m), who was uncovered as a national team prospect during the 2006 All-NZ Camp. Born in Florida with American parents, she has gained New Zealand citizenship, so can play as a fully fledged Kiwi.
ìLike Jess McCormack in 2005, Rebecca is a player of the future,î says McHugh. ìI want to see how she handles herself at that level.î
Harbour centre Karlene Kingi will also get a chance after impressive performances in the Womenís Basketball League and at last monthís national camp in Christchurch.
Otago guard Suzie Bates will become a double international, having already represented her country in cricket, while Natalie Purcell and Aroha Jennings join the roster after furthering their careers in the US college system.
Purcell finished at Southeast Missouri State University in 2006, while Jennings was named Offensive MVP for University of Memphis last season and will return to the Tigers later this year.
ìThis trip will also see the ongoing development of players like Micaela Cocks, Jess McCormack, Lisa Wallbutton and Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe, who need to step up to a new level.
ìMore senior players have moved on, so we must look for leadership from that next group of players.î
The full squad for Japan is Ö
Suzie Bates (Otago), Micaela Cocks (University of Oregon, US), Rebecca Dew (Harbour), Aroha Jennings (University of Memphis, US), Karlene Kingi (Harbour), Angela Marino (Perth Lynx, Australia), Jess McCormack (Auckland), Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (Bulleen Boomers, Australia), Charmian Purcell (Harbour), Natalie Purcell, Lisa Wallbutton (Auckland), Noni Wharemate (Harbour)
