Aussies take on Fiji

The Australian netball squad has entered into the final training camp before the Commonwealth Games and with only eight days before the final squad of 12 players is announced, each player involved is looking to ensure they don’t miss out on selection.

At the AIS since last Sunday, Coach Norma Plummer and her squad are now into a fourth day of training, before playing practice matches against Fiji over the next three days.

Plummer and her coaching counterpart, Megan Simpson will use the two matches to try different combinations on court before the final Commonwealth Games squads are selected.

Fiji has sent a squad of 19 players to train in Canberra prior to the Commonwealth Games and Simpson is looking to utilize the strength of Australian netball which she was part of during her time as Netball Australia’s Director of Coaching.

Simpson believes that having her squad take on the Australian team and other teams including the Victorian Men’s team will lead to a good preparation leading into the Commonwealth Games.

“I have been in the role for two months now and our aim in Melbourne is to gain some valuable experience as a team and to see where we are placed against other countries,” Simpson told the Netball Australia website.

By being in Canberra and playing against such quality opposition, Simpson believes it will be a good opportunity to plan for next year’s World Championships.

“This will help us in our preparation for the World Netball Championships, which will be held in Fiji next July,” said Simpson.

“This week in Canberra we will work on our match fitness, put into practice basic skills, try different combinations and give each player an opportunity for selection,” continued Simpson.

Fiji National Team Match Schedule

Wednesday 25 January:
Fiji vs NSWIS - 6:00pm, Anne Clarke Centre, Lidcombe - Open Session

Thursday 26 January:
Fiji vs Australia - 11:00am, Frank Stewart Training Hall, AIS - Open Session
Fiji vs Victoria Men's - 6:00pm, Frank Stewart Training Hall, AIS - Open Session

Friday 27 January:
Fiji vs Australia - Closed Session

Sunday 29 January:
Fiji vs Parramatta/Auburn - 9:00am, Anne Clarke Centre, Lidcombe - Open Session
Fiji vs Sydney Storm - 3:30pm, Anne Clarke Centre, Lidcombe - Open Session

Monday 30 January:
Fiji vs Sydney Storm - 9:00am, Anne Clarke Centre, Lidcombe - Open Session

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