BBC Radio’s Andy Lamb caught up with Storm shooter Pamela Cookey earlier this week as Storm finalise their preparations for tomorrow’s Vitality Netball Superleague launch at Super Saturday.
Follow Andy Lamb on Twitter – @andylambmedia
AL: What were your thoughts on the recent England v Australia matches?
PC: I know England will be really disappointed with the three losses but we have to take away the positives from it. We got to experience some of the youngsters out there playing against the world number one side and you cant stimulate that in training. For the future it was really good and some of the new combinations worked amazing in patches.
AL: The Superleague starts on Saturday and so many changes within franchises lets have a quick look at a few players. What kind of season do you think Georgie Fisher will have at Mavs?
PC: I’m so excited, she’s young, 6 foot and showing so much maturity already. She was so good [at Tamsin’s Testimonial], so composed and her availability in the circle is amazing and she can shoot, just turns in the circle and just puts those shots up.
AL: What about [Loughborough] Lightening this year?
PC: Ama [Agbeze] and Jade [Clarke] will bring the years of experience from being in the ANZ and then there’s also the Corbin’s and Peace [Proscovia] is back too who had a great season last year.
AL: Are you hoping to get to Birmingham early to psyche the others out?
PC: It will be tricky as we are the last game on and don’t want to get there too early!
AL: What about Storm – hows pre season being going?
PC: It’s been really good, I had a break after the World Cup but being back with the squad has been so much fun and really got my excitement back for the game. Everyone will be out to get us but we are going to fly under the radar and we’re confident in ourselves. Anything can happen and we are just going to take each game as it comes.
AL: Has there been many changes in coaching style since Kathryn Ratnapala became Head Coach?
PC: No, Kathryn is really strong especially in the defensive sense and she’s brought another dynamic which has been great for the team.
AL: I suppose it has been nice for the new girls like Yasmin Parsons, Rhea Dixon and Elsa Wakeman to have the experience to help them settle in?
PC: We do have a young squad making up the 12 so we are trying to give them that confidence because they are great players. We will see the change over the season I’m sure.
AL: Any secrets in combos – has Georgia Lees or Mikki Austin secured centre or are we waiting till Saturday to find out?
PC: You’ve got to wait till Saturday! No chance, you’ll see at the weekend!
AL: I’m not even going to ask who is going to win, but would you say it will be the most open Superleague to date?
PC: Definitely! There’s so many changes and imports, people back from the ANZ and new England talent coming through its too early to call it.
Storm kick off their 2016 Vitality Netball Superleague season on Saturday when they travel to Birmingham’s Genting Arena to take on Team Bath at Super Saturday (8pm centre pass). All four games at the event, including Storm, will be live on Sky Sports 2 from 1.30pm. Click here for more information.
Tickets for Super Saturday are still available online now via Sky Tickets.
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