Fever Launch 2009 Season
The West Coast Fever last night launched its 2009 ANZ Championship campaign with an exhibition match over the WA President’s XII at Perth’s Challenge Stadium.
The Fever squad contains five Western Australian Institute of Sport athletes, with Josie Janz, Caitlin Bassett, Susan Fuhrmann, Andrea Gilmore and Jasmine Keene all scholarship holders with WAIS.
The Fever ran out comfortable winners against a talented group of WA’s best State League representatives who at quarter time had matched their hosts to only trail by a solitary goal. The Fever squad signed hundreds of autographs following the match, welcoming fans old and new.
The President’s XII had a strong WAIS inclusion as well with Ash Neal, Alice Coakley and Alicia Janz all in action.
Caitlin Bassett enjoyed a productive hit-out in the second half hitting 30 of 33 attempts at goal, using her height to great advantage as the Fever looked to move the ball quickly to her against a tiring squad that was not used to playing together.
Ash Neal also enjoyed a strong performance in the shooting arc, hitting 18 of 22 attempts against a formidable opposition.
WAIS head netball Coach Michelle Wilkins was present at the launch and believes the WAIS athletes within the Fever squad will have the opportunity to flourish in 2009 following on from the experiences gained in the inaugural ANZ Championship season.
“The WAIS girls will be looking to raise the bar in their performances from last year,” she said. “With a years experience and a number of the athletes having gained international exposure over the past six months, I think they’re set for a big year.”
Wilkins believes WAIS athletes could have a big impact at either end of the court for the Fever.
“You would expect Susan Fuhrmann (Goal Keeper) and Caitlin Bassett (Goal Shooter) to dominate the goal circles at their respective ends of the court and
Josie Janz has put in an excellent pre-season and has lots to prove when given her opportunities in 2009.”
Having proved competitive in all their matches last year, Wilkins feels the Fever can crash the top four and achieve a finals place if they can improve consistency.
“The main area the Fever will look to improve is in their consistencyof decision making and execution of skills under pressure,” said Wilkins.
“The ANZ Championship is such a tightly contested competition that top four positions is difficult to predict, however it’s certainly possible for West Coast Fever to finish in the finals in 2009.”
Michelle Wilkins’ predictions for the 2009 ANZ Championship season:
2009 Champions: Adelaide Thunderbirds
2009 ANZ Player of the Year: Julie Prendergast (Vixens)
2009 Top goal scorer: Caitlin Bassett (Fever)
2009 West Coast Fever player of the year: Madison Browne
WAIS Public Relations Officer Chris Abbott’s predictions for the 2009 ANZ Championship season:
2009 Champions: Northern Mystics
2009 ANZ Player of the Year: Sharelle McMahon (Vixens)
2009 Top goal scorer: Irene Van Dyk (Magic)
2009 West Coast Fever player of the year: Andrea Gilmore
WAIS Finance Assistant Kristin Chabrel’s predictions for the 2009 ANZ Championship season:
2009 Champions: NSW Swifts
2009 ANZ Player of the Year: Laura Geitz (Firebirds)
2009 Top goal scorer: Susan Pratley (Swifts)
2009 West Coast Fever player of the year: Susan Fuhrmann
WAIS Administration Assistant Lorren Portolan’s predictions for the 2009 ANZ Championship season:
2009 Champions: Queensland Firebirds
2009 ANZ Player of the Year: Geva Mentor (Thunderbirds)
2009 Top goal scorer: Caitlin Bassett (Fever)
2009 West Coast Fever player of the year: Jo Curran
WAIS Public Relations Manager Simon Moore-Crouch’s predictions for the 2009 ANZ Championship season:
2009 Champions: Waikato Magic
2009 ANZ Player of the Year: Laura Langman (Magic)
2009 Top goal scorer: Caitlin Bassett (Fever)
2009 West Coast Fever player of the year: Madison Browne
WAIS Strength and Conditioning Coach Greg Morgan’s predictions for the 2009 ANZ Championship season:
2009 Champions: Waikato Magic
2009 ANZ Player of the Year: Casey Williams (Magic)
2009 Top goal scorer: Caitlin Bassett (Fever)
2009 West Coast Fever player of the year: Susan Fuhrmann