Super Netball opportunities limited for new generation of shooters

Australia’s chances of developing a new generation of shooters is being stifled at the top level.

Emily Mannix of the Vixens, centre, started life as a goal shooter but has made her name in defence. Picture: Getty Images

The lack of Australian shooting talent getting exposure at the sport’s highest levels remains a source of anxiety as the third season of Super Netball rolls along, but there is no such problem at the defensive end.

In the opening round of the competition four Australians started at goal shooter, and five at goal keeper. But those numbers hide the true depths of the disparity.

Only one team started a shooting circle that featured two Australians under the age of 30. Four teams opened with young Australian defensive pairings at an average age of just under 24.

The Vixens, Swifts, Firebirds, Fever and Giants are all stacked with fast and frightening young defenders holding their own in the world’s most competitive netball league.

So why is Australia flush with emerging defenders at a time when so few shooters are getting a chance?

National coach Lisa Alexander has spoken often over the past three years about the limited opportunities for Australian shooters in a Super Netball competition that lacks a cap on international players.

But there are also some more fundamental factors at play, according to former Vixens and Diamonds defender Bianca Chatfield.

“I think quite often it’s hard to find defenders to start off with. From a young age coaches probably put a lot more time and effort into upskilling defenders because there’s not that many tall ones around,” she said.

There is also a cyclical nature to this story. Only a few years ago, Australian coaches were concerned about an absence of young defensive talent coming through the ranks, and invested in identifying and training the generation that are now on the court.

The retirements of Chatfield, Laura Geitz, Sharni Layton and Bec Bulley among others over the past three years opened the door for the next generation of defenders to bib up.

One of those young talents is Emily Mannix, who has formed a stout combination at Melbourne with her fellow Diamond Jo Weston.

Mannix was actually originally a goal shooter, but that recruitment drive a few years ago was the catalyst to her shifting positions.

“When I was coming through the ranks with Joey (Weston), there was literally no defenders. If the coaches saw that you were capable of playing down there you sort of just got chucked down there,” Mannix said.

As she rose through the ranks, Mannix noticed that many shooters were bailing out of the sport. The biggest factor seemed to be the mental pressure that came with the position.

“If they miss a goal everyone notices that. Most of the girls that gave up the dream or gave up netball were a lot of goalers just because there is that extra pressure.

“Maybe we’re losing some future Diamonds because of that added pressure that they’re feeling. If you look at who’s coming up, you can’t see a heap of tall Australian shooters coming through.”

Chatfield said another big challenge for goalers was dealing with the increased physical demands of playing at the top level.

“I find with shooters, quite often when they’re younger they dominate in that area because they’re generally taller and no one can out-rebound them, but as they start to get older and defenders get a bit tougher on them, then that’s when they have to put the real work in.”

Netball coaches, according to Alexander, are far more conservative when selecting shooters, and willing to ride out the rough patches that come with blooding young defenders.

“I think we are just prepared to give defenders more opportunities,” Alexander said.