National Finals 2009

National Inter-Primary Netball Finals 2009

Results:

Junior Division

Tanjong Katong Pri vs Fengshan Pri 14-27

Senior Division

Tanjong Katong Pri vs CHIJ Kellock 19-21

An Interview with our netball coach, Mr Njoo

1) Any thoughts about the Junior Finals?
Well, credit to Fengshan Pri, they definitely were the better team and although we were close for the first two quarters with only 3 points separating us at half time, the'quality' of their players prevailed at the end. We simply had no answers to their attacking play. I was very impressed by their two shooters!

2) Who do you think were the top three performers for the TKP Juniors?
Natasha Hogan was very consistent throughout the whole nationals and I can only say she will get better with more experience and training.

Ariqah was a menace to the Fengshan Defence with her crisp shooting and quick movements. Though one of the shortest shooters around, she was able to score the bulk of the points for us.

The third netballer would be a tie between Nadia (GD) and Debby (GS). Both of them have an inconsistent nationals tournament. However, they did play up to my expectation in the final. Hopefully, the two of them will work even harder and give Fengshan Pri a tougher fight next year!

3) Erm...what about the worst player?
Well...I would rather not answer your question but my key players Dewi (C) and Depi (WA) did have an off-day with their misplaced passes. Maybe the Fengshan players were giving them a hard time. I hope they would be able to bounce back from this and become much more fitter and tougher when they are in the senior division next year.

4) What about the seniors? You were the defending champion but you lost, why?
To tell you I was quite bitter about the defeat would have been an understatement of the year! I personally thought we were going to win after the seniors came back at 19-19 with one minute to go and it was our centre-pass. However, when the pass went to Xinghui (WA), the umpire blew for a 'held' ball. It was definitely less than 3 seconds! It totally changed the whole complexion of the game as Kellock now had the possession and of course went on to score. I don't mind losing to a better opponent as was the case against Fengshan in the Junior Finals but to lose because of a dubious decision by an umpire...It really makes me want to give up coaching netball forever.

HOwever, after thinking through...Look at sports all around us, we are constantly beseiged by bad refereeing even at the highest level. Think of the English Premier League, Think of the World Cup Finals etc. In my eyes, the seniors are my national champion! To be honest, we lost the final in the first three quarters...

5) What was the problem?
Erm...my attacking play was the problem! My shooters were stifled in the final third. They didnt know what to do. They were passing the ball aimlessly around the 'D' and their movements were all wrong. I'm gutted that they chose the last match to play like this!

6) Best players?
Jeraldine (GK) - fantastic positioning to stop the deadly Kellock GS. How many teams can restrict CHIJ KELLock from scoring less than 20 points? Well...TKP did or should ?I say Jeraldine did.

Fatin (WD) - she was a constant menace to the KEllock WA despite being much shorter. She made a couple of interceptions and was a thorn to the KEllock players all day.

Josephine (GD) - She played magnificently to complement Jeraldine. The GA could not pass all day or score. Though she was our last minute inclusion, she played with all her might! Keep it up!

7) How are you feeling?
How would you feel after losing two finals in one day? I'll be fine after a couple of days. Don't forget, we still got a bigger challenge to overcome...PSLE! Come on...LEt's work hard and get good results!