Netball: Jets without Devine, but they must have belief

Promoted from Premier League 3 at the first time of asking last season, with defender Devine a key component in the successful campaign, Jets will have to cope without their leader for the home match against Thoroughbreds at Fort Regent.

Jets coach Linda Andrews

Although coach Linda Andrews accepts Devine’s absence is to the detriment of the squad, she is confident Jets have the players to manage without their skipper.

‘We’re without Lauren on Sunday because her mum is getting married,’ said Andrews.

‘Obviously it is a loss not to have her but we have the players to fill in.’

Having secured promotion in May, following a 37-36 defeat of Leyton in their final play-off match, Jets kicked off their pre-season preparations in early July.

After almost three full months of training, Andrews says the players are now raring to go – but she warns them not to make the same mistakes as they did last year.

‘We are really keen to get started now because we’ve had a long time off the court,’ she continued.

‘It’s exciting to be playing at this level, it’s a good level for us and we are all itching to go.

‘I expect a very competitive season … there are lots of experienced clubs in this league who have been at this level for a while.’

She added: ‘We have to start differently this season. We were cautious when we started Premier League 3 last year as we weren’t sure if we could cope.

Team Jets won promotion at the first time of asking last season.

‘This time that’s not going to be the case … of course we will respect our opposition but we must believe in ourselves. Having had a year in the Premier League, we must have more self-belief.

‘It’s tricky because we haven’t been able to put in pre-season matches to make sure we are playing at the right intensity but the girls have to be raring to go. I’ve no doubt that we will see that on Sunday … I’m sure they will be focussed and get on with it.’

Andrews has not yet decided who will lead the team in Devine’s absence.

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