THE CENTER COURT COURIER Day 6: July 16, 2016

GAME SCHEDULE

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TIME DRAW

10:00 South Africa vs Uganda

12:00 University of Worcester vs Trinidad & Tobago

14:15 Australia vs Jamaica

16:15 Namibia vs USA

And the countdown is on. Today the semi-finals, tomorrow

the finals. Each team is making its individual mark on the

court and soon, we’ll have the ultimate match-off. South

Africa opened up the day with Worcester putting up a great

fight but ultimately, South Africa took the win at 71 to 30.

Namibia and Australia played the next round, with Namibia

folding to Australia at 61 to 44. Uganda then defeated

Trinidad & Tobago, ending with a score of 33 to 50. Jamaica

maintained their winning streak for their game against the

U.S., scoring 98 to 9. A tough day, for sure, but today will

really determine the finalists.

Courtside with VICKI WILSON Day Two Highlights

It’s been a tough day of competition on day three of the FISU World University Netball Championships. We caught up with Vicki Wilson for her perspective on today’s play. South Africa vs the University of Worcester South Africa would have to be ranked the number one team here. They are very strong all over the court. I was really pleased with Worcester putting on one of their best games, scoring 30 goals against South Africa , it was wonderful to see. In the second quarter, a 13 – 9 quarter, they made a number of changes, and got a lot of their players out on the court. Really a terrific experience for the team. But South Africa are a well oiled machine. They moved the ball nicely and attacked defensively and were smothering in whatever they did.

Namibia vs Australia This game was a really open style of play and cleanly contested. I thought the Uni-Roos played very much a traditional Australian style of play: fast in attack and a good use of the long ball. Cara Koenen as the goal shooter was heavily involved in their attacking play. Defensively, Kristen Oxenford really shot out and gained a lot of intercepts for the Uni-Roos. Namibia started strongly but fell away. The first quarter score of 15 – 13 was an awesome start for them. It was that second quarter and third quarter where they lost 11 – 18 and 5 – 17. They would probably be a little bit disappointed in that, as they fought in the last quarter to bring it back to a 13-all. Trinidad & Tobago vs Uganda. Uganda were very, very patient with the ball and really made Trinidad work defensively. Uganda jumped out of the blocks really well, 5 – 14 in the first quarter. But Trinidad made changes and were able to come back in the second quarter, although that second half proved to be Trinidad’s undoing. They just couldn’t seem to penetrate that attacking wall of Uganda. Uganda used a lot of low balls around the circle edge and Trinidad did not have any answers for that because they are used to playing against teams who use an real aerial game. Trinidad were denied opportunities. When they got the ball up the goal end they were certain to score but they just did not get enough ball defensively. USA v. Jamaica I am so proud of the USA girls to score 9 goals against Jamaica. They forced Jamaica into some errors, but Jamaica were very slick. Jamaica is a team with five international players, and what a wonderful experience it was to see eleven of their twelve players out on the court for the USA and for the USA to score in one quarter. Five goals is just an incredible feat, they should be so pleased. And what pleased me the most was their attitude and effort, they kept fighting for every ball and defensively I think they did some good stuff back in the circle so well done to them. But Jamaica, very fast, very creative in what they did, and I cannot wait to see their game, I think they will be in the final against South Africa.

CLARE MC CABE Technical Director

RUTH MEEME

Captain of Uganda

Center Court Courier: You just played against the Australian team, how do you feel? Ruth: I feel great because I felt it was a com-petitive game. That country is so good in net-ball, so we came out strong - that’s why we managed to win that game. Center Court Courier: How did you get into netball? Ruth: I was inspired by a player named Harriet Apako. She passed away last year after the World Cup. I loved her and she inspired me.

Center Court Courier: What does it mean to be a captain? Ruth: I give confidence to my players and have the experience in international games. I pro-mote to them to keep playing even when they get tired. Center Court Courier: How would you describe your team style of play? Ruth: We actually don’t have a stable style of play, we make mix our styles, we have a line, we have a zig zag, we have every style depending on

what the other team brings, we bring different. Center Court Courier: What’s one of the biggest challenges playing netball in your country and in the USA? Ruth: Facilitations first and funds are the big-gest problems that were facing. Our talent is on ground in our country. The games are very com-petitive, all the teams are good and maybe some others are bit more ready than us, but we’ll get better as the games goes on.

By Mischa Clarke

Having played Netball for 25 years, Ruth Meeme, Captain of Uganda’s team, plays with the focus and tries to be the best captain she can be for her team. Currently attending Nkumba University, Ruth loves the game of netball with passion. Inspired by a player that was part of the contingent Ugandan Netball Federation, Ruth pursued netball. Pleased with how his players have displayed their skills on court, the Uganda coach expressed pride. “I’m very happy, we’re improving day by day” he says as his team wins a second time in the FISU World University Netball Championships on day 2 of competition.

The competitors move across the gym at Fernandez Family Center with astounding agility, darting in and out of reach of the opposing team. Then a long shot to a fellow player goes a little too long, and from one of the four corners of the game, another player – albeit off the court – gets the ball. Meet Natalia Josephs, Johanna Hamilton, Jada King, Angel Stoddard, Odecsia Stoddard, and Sophia Vieira. They are this championship’s young ball catchers and they ensure that the game progresses quickly by catching and returning all foul balls, and providing towels to the players when needed. And as it turns out, these pre-teens are players in their own right. We asked the girls how they liked Miami. “It’s hot,” they say immediately in unison. They laugh. “But it’s fun to see teams from around the world. I’ve learned a lot from them. I love the game.”

We wanted to know if the girls knew anything about netball and why they were here at the Championships. “We play! That’s why we’re here!” They talked about the varying positions on their respective teams at home. Jada mentions “Center, because I like to be in the middle of the action,” while Odecsia plays wing attack or wing defense –“I can be an aggressive player.” Angel came to “see the older professional players play” but also wants to “become a better shooter.” Johanna was “encouraged by our coach to come and help out.”

Asked if they learned anything from being so close to the game the girls told us “We want to incorporate some of their drills in our practices at home.” Finally we wanted to know if their goal was to play professionally one day. “Yes, I first want to make my team at home better so we can go on more tournaments and then it would be fun to play professionally.” Another exclaims, “Yes! It’s good for your health.” By Shaloma Logan

Meet The FISU World University Netball Championship Ball Girls

Visions in Education is a leading global operator in educational and school travel. Also the leader in interna-tional netball tours, including the Exclusive Disney International Youth Netball Tour-nament, Visions is excited to an-nounce starting in 2017 the Dis-ney event will be expanding to include a multi-sport element, offering soccer, rugby and basketball. Attracting junior teams from around the world, including Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean, USA, Canada and the UK, and providing an unmatched and unique setting. Players join in coach-ing sessions, tournament play, and

Disney off court fun with netball teams from around the globe. For peace of mind and budgeting, we include ALL the Disney experi-ence amenities, theme park tickets & accommodation your girls will love. Visions also offer unmatched Ski & Board tours, Performing Arts and STEM tours providing world class outside the classroom educational experience through fully immersive, hands-on, sport and educational trips of a lifetime complete with all the amenities. As a full member of the School Travel Forum (STF), a group of leading school tour operators who pro-mote good practice and safety in school travel, Visions adheres to rigorous codes of practice and safety manage-ment standards. What does that mean

for clients? A safe, hassle-free, profes-sionally man-aged, and expertly executed trip that you’ll want your students to experience every year. They are the official travel agent for the FISU World University Netball Championship including flights, hotels, sightseeing packages, exclusive VIP tickets to the event and 24/7 emergency assistance. Vision in Education is owned and operated by Visions Holiday Group, which also oper-ates Visions of Africa, Islands of Greece, Ilios Travel, Independent Aviation Group and IAG Sports. By Akua Sencherey

Visions in Education Netball Proud Sponsor of the FISU World Netball Championship

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