Kate Beveridge in action for the Fever against the Giants.
Camera IconKate Beveridge in action for the Fever against the Giants. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Netball: Heavy travel schedule not a problem says head coach

Montana ArdonWestern Suburbs Weekly

WEST Coast Fever Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich is confident her side’s heavy travel schedule will not impact their preparation for this weekend’s clash against the Sunshine Coast Lightning on their home turf in Sippy Downs.

Since the bye break following Round 8, Fever have travelled to Brisbane and Sydney, and will travel to the Sunshine Coast for their final away game of the season this weekend, taking the total distance travelled to more than 25,000km since the League-wide rest week.

The West Coast side has also faced short turnarounds, having played the Sydney-based Giants in Perth on April 30 and then travelling to Sydney just four days later to take on the Swifts last Friday.

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Despite the travel, Marinkovich said they were prepared, and admitted travel was simply part of being based in Perth.

“We had the short turnaround last week, and we only had the one training session, so we are used to that routine,” she said.

“We will have a couple of training sessions this week, but this is something we have planned for in advance.

“The players will have to recover really well, and we will have to make sure we are doing those little things to make sure our bodies are right.”

As the inaugural season of Suncorp Super Netball nears its end, Marinkovich said recovery would play an important factor in her side’s preparation for the final three matches.

“It is getting toward the end of the season, so bodies do get sore and tired,” she said.

“We have to make sure we are doing the right things to ensure we bounce back and put in the performances we know we are capable of.”

West Coast Fever faces the Sunshine Coast Lightning on Friday night, with the match broadcast on Telstra TV.

Following the Sunshine Coast match, Fever return home for the final two rounds of the season, facing Magpies Netball and the Melbourne Vixens at Perth Arena.

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