A LOCAL A1 netball coach says fitness and preparation will be crucial when the season starts.
The Riverland Netball Association season was due to begin its season last month, but due to the coronavirus, was forced to postpone until May 31.
Loxton coach Alison Uren said in the last couple of weeks, there has been more discussion about a return to netball.
Ms Uren said players were on notice and those who had kept up their fitness will get an A1 game when the season eventually gets under way.
“Those who looked like they were going to be playing A1s or looked like they were going to be playing in our top side (in trials a month ago) – it’s all going to come down to how fit and ready they are when we’re ready to take the courts,” she said.
“If a player has been working extremely hard and they’re fitter than someone who trialled well or was fitter at the end of basketball season, then that’s a position someone else may take.
“The fittest and strongest team will line up come game one, so if they haven’t put in the work then they won’t be rewarded with a spot on the court.
“It’s their own accountability – if they want to play A1, then the expectation is that you’re fit and ready, and have put in the work.
“That’s something I mentioned to them about three weeks ago – that the trial process would happen again, and we would look at everyone because we haven’t seen anyone for a few weeks and things can change so quickly.”
Ms Uren said she always encouraged her players to stay fit and healthy, which has become especially important given the current climate.
She also said players and coaches are staying in contact through a group chat to keep everyone up-to-date on training and future plans.
“We just have a group chat that all the girls in the squad are members of,” Ms Uren said.
“Everyone has just been posting different workouts and different things that they’ve been doing.
“A lot of the girls have joined the 50km MS (run) for May.
“We did it last year and we are doing it this year again, and I think we’re up to about $600 or $700 raised through the idea that we run 50km each, with some signing up to run and some to walk.
“We thought it was a good way to keep fit and raise money for a good cause.”
Ms Uren said she has no expectations for when or if the season starts, but she looks forward to it nonetheless.
“Obviously, we were all excited and looking forward to getting on the court, but netball doesn’t come before everyone’s health and wellbeing,” she said.
“So we’ve taken it as it has come, and are looking forward to things, hopefully, starting back up.
“We hope there is a little bit of time before we start, so we can all get together for the first time and we can have a look at everyone.
“We only had two trials before we had to isolate, so we haven’t really had a good look at our side enough to be able to have a bit of an internal trial and a bit of a match against ourselves before we take the court.
“But the message I’m just giving to my team is ‘be ready’ because in a week, it could be four weeks or so before we could take the court.”