The Cook Islands netball coach Dale Atkinson says this week's two match series against a New Zealand Development Squad is a chance for the players to get some much-needed time together on court.
The Black Pearls finished fourth at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby in July and financial restraints mean they haven't been able to get together
The bulk of the squad is locally based but there has been a number of changes since their last hit-out.
"We've only just come together so I'm looking at seven new players who I've only just met but what I can tell you from a team culture point of view is everyone has bonded really well and trainings have been going extremely well. They've adjusted to the gameplans and strategies that we utilised in Papua New Guinea and so for me as a coach that's been a real bonus".
Dale Atkinson says it will also be a valuable learning experience for her squad to test themselves against a number of players with ANZ Championship experience.
