“WE’RE here to win.”
Those were the determined words of Jersey head coach Serena Kersten after her side dismantled Orkney 64-29 yesterday to make a winning start to the inaugural Island Invitational Netball Games in the Isle of Man.
The Caesareans were set to face another Scottish foe in the shape of Shetland this morning at 10am.
The contest was established to give islands an opportunity to compete against each other at netball, as the sport is not part of the Island Games.
Kersten highlighted the importance of the Invitational as a “showcase for netball”.
“Overall, the performance against Orkney was really pleasing.
“You have to try and find a way to win in these types of games and we managed that well.
“Most of the sides we face in this tournament are an unknown quantity, with the exception of Guernsey.
“It was always going to be a nervy start as we figured out Orkney and their style of play.
“But I think the girls adjusted well and really asserted from there on.
“Particularly in that first half we really took control of the contest and put some daylight between the sides.”
Kersten is a big believer in having confidence throughout the squad and underpinning the importance of depth in her team.
That trust rang true in the opening match, with every member of the side getting valuable minutes.
Kersten added: “I have so much confidence in this team throughout the squad.
“Games come thick and fast here in the Isle of Man and you cannot expect to come and run the same seven players throughout the week.
“If you try to do that, the team will be absolutely dead to the wall.
“My intention was to try and get everyone on the court and that’s the case for most games.
“Unfortunately, we were forced into a couple of changes through injury, so I didn’t quite get everyone the amount of minutes I would have liked to and equally some had to play more than I would have liked.
“But that is the nature of the game and you have to adapt to whatever is thrown at you on the day.
“We now have to focus our attention on Shetland, which we are also unfamiliar with, but I did do a little bit of homework on them during their match with Ynys Môn.”
Shetland also got off to a winning start, beating the Welsh side 60-49.
Following today’s tussle with Shetland, Jersey face Guernsey then Ynys Môn on Thursday and Friday, before their concluding match against hosts Isle of Man on Saturday.
Jersey: L Griffin, R Tonner, L Norman, A Chaytor, J Blampied, K Le Riche, L Devine. Substitutes: M Fitzgerald-Wilkins, M Luce, N Goddard, G Ruellen, L Dos Santos.
