Jets finding ways to win

Team Jets will begin their South West Division I season on 24 September

TEAM JETS must exploit the weaknesses of every opponent in South West Division I if they are to have a chance of earning Premier League promotion, according to Serena Kersten.

The new head coach [née Guthrie] says the club will utilise a larger pool of players in 2022/23 as they attempt to outwit their regional league rivals, regardless of their stature.

Fixtures for the upcoming campaign have been released and Wimborne Aquarians – Division I champions for two years running – will likely be the main contenders for the title again, having failed to secure promotion to the national pyramid via the 2021/22 play-offs. Poole must also be leapfrogged if Jets are to climb back up the England Netball ladder.

The Caesareans, relegated from PL 3 in 2019, finished third last season, with seven defeats from 18 games.

‘You can assume that Wimborne will still be strong this year but ultimately, regardless of who the best opposition are, we need to find a way to beat everyone,’ said Kersten, the Jersey Netball Association’s performance lead.

‘There were a few fixtures last year where we didn’t do that and a couple where the girls were disappointed with their performance.

‘We need to create more consistent performances and we’ll be moving away from just having a starting seven. We want to have a good mix and have strength in numbers. We’ll find a couple of strong combinations in each court area and vary it depending on who we’re playing.’

Jets are set to begin with a trip to newly-promoted Pinehurst on 24 September, before facing Hucclecote Comets less than 24 hours later. The Islanders will travel for nine double-header weekends throughout the season as they are again forced to play all of their games on the mainland.

Only promotion will guarantee the return of home ties, as part of England Netball’s funded Premier League system.

Kersten added: ‘They [Jets’ Division I opponents] all turned down the opportunity to travel here to play and this is one of the reasons why we’re pushing for promotion. People can’t watch us here at the moment and it’s hard to generate the buzz that’s needed to build up the sport.’

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