Goldrush can step up, captain believes

Otago Goldrush captain Janet Main believes her side can bounce back from a poor start to the Women's Basketball Conference. Photo by Linda Robertson.

Amazingly, this is her eighth season with the Otago women's team. She was part of the team when it was still known as Otago Breakers and made her debut in 2005 as a 15-year-old.

A speedy point guard, she helped run the floor with dual international Suzie Bates for years. But with Bates deciding to concentrate on her role as captain of the Whites Ferns, Main will shoulder the responsibility and is also captaining the side.

"It is good to be able to step up and take a bigger leadership role," the physiotherapist student said.

There have been a lot of personnel changes in last eight years but Otago teams have remained competitive. They were runners-up in 2009 and 2010 and thrashed Nelson in the final to win the Women's Basketball Conference title last season.

"It was such a good feeling, especially when we had gone so close in the previous years. But there has been big changes to the team this season and a we have a few key players missing."

Otago lost three of its four games in the opening qualifying tournament in Nelson last month. That has left the defending champion with a tough task to qualify in the top six for the finals tournament which will be staged in Dunedin in August.

The Goldrush will need to win at least four of its six games in the second qualifying tournament in Wellington, beginning Friday, or it will drop down to the plate section.

"It has made it hard work but I think we will be able to step it up. It was a big learning curve for us. We know where we need to improve and what adjustments will have to be made. It has probably focused us more for this tournament."

The Goldrush will play six games in three days, including a rematch with the side it beat in last year's final.

"In the first tournament we only had four games and that was quite tough, both on the body and the mind."

Last season, the Goldrush had the luxury of being able to work the ball inside to Daneka Wipiiti or Casey Lockwood. Both are unavailable this season. Wipiiti has moved to France with her partner, professional rugby player Joe Tuineau, and Lockwood has a hamstring complaint.

Home-grown centre Patrice McKenzie is playing basketball in Australia and will miss the Wellington tournament. However, she will be available for the finals, if Otago qualifies in the top six.

Samara Gallaher has been bracketed with Kelly Nafatali and will need medical clearance to make the squad. She had a nasty fall and has been suffering from dizzy spells.

There is some good news with Steel shooter Jodi Brown returning. Her match-up with fellow Steel team-mate Donna Wilkins when the Goldrush plays the Southland Pearls will be a highlight.

Otago Goldrush
The squad

Janet Main (captain), Grace Allan, Jodi Brown, Danielle Calnan, (Samara Gallaher or Kelly Nafatali), Kelly Groot, Nicole Hellyer, Soraya Umaga-Jensen, Renee Johnson, Summer Roberts, Natalie Smith.

Coach: Brent Matehaere

Otago's draw

July 20
v Southland Pearls, 9amv Waitakere West Auckland Rangers, 7pm

July 21
v Palmerston North Storm, 11amv Taranaki Trojans, 5pm

July 22
v Canterbury Wildcats, 8amv Nelson Sparks, 1pm