Hopes high for netball titles

The coaches heading into the schoolgirls' ISSA Senior netball finals are oozing confidence that they will depart the National Indoor Sports Centre with the respective trophies after today's matches.

The Rural Senior final pits Glenmuir against Manchester at 2:30 p.m. before Gaynstead tackle St Catherine in the Urban Area Senior final at 3:30 p.m. The day's action will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Glenmuir tackling Holmwood in the Rural Junior final, with St Hugh's battling Immaculate in the Urban Area Junior final at 12:30 p.m.

It has been three months of intense action, which includes some close matches and the coaches in the Senior finals are expecting it to continue today.

Glenmuir's coach Ryon Reid is confident that they can win the Rural title and create history. It is the first time they are contesting a Rural Senior final. In the semifinals, Glenmuir dismissed defending champions Holmwood at GC Foster College.

"It was a very good pre-season preparation for the girls as they really worked hard leading up to the competition. We are very confident of going all the way, despite expecting a great challenge from Manchester," said Reid.

Manchester's coach, Simone Smith, is also anticipating a tough battle but is hoping that their strategy will help them to come out on top, after losing in the final two seasons ago.

"I expect a close encounter and despite Glenmuir having some very tall players, we are hoping to counteract that with some swift playing. Once our girls limit the turnovers and score their centre passes we should come out on top," Smith said.

In the Urban Senior final, a very close battle is also expected after both Gaynstead and St Catherine had narrow semifinals wins over Jose Marti and St Hugh's, respectively. Both coaches are very optimistic about their chances.

"The final between St Catherine and us should be another battle. St Catherine arguably is the strongest team on paper, but the Falcons, however, are up for the challenge and this final will be an intense one. I am backing my team for the win," stated Dalton Hinds, coach of Gaynstead.

St Catherine's coach Phylis Thompson expects a close contest but believes that work done in preparation for the match will enable them to overcome Gaynstead.

"It should be a very close encounter and my girls are ready for the challenge. Leading up to the final, we have done a few additional technical works, and once the girls stick to the game plan, we should come out on top," Thompson said.