30 Mar 2015

Sport: Cook Islands netball coach embracing new challenge

12:00 pm on 30 March 2015

The Cook Islands netball coach Dale Atkinson is looking forward to the challenge of coaching on the international stage.

The New Zealand-based Atkinson spent some time in the Cook Islands last week, watching club matches and holding a trial for local players, after taking charge of the team earlier this month.

There will be another trial for New Zealand-based players in April.

Atkinson says while she won't have a lot of time with the players once the squad is selected, she's looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"These players do need to take some responsibility but we've got to start slowly and I'm not expecting them to be where the Silver Ferns are at. We've just got to do it gently and they've got to want to do it. It's ok sometimes to have a fail day but you've got to pick yourself back up to go again".

The Cook Islands next international appointment is the Pacific Games in July in Port Moresby, which doubles as the Pacific Series.

Cook Islands finished fourth at last years tournament and Atkinson is hopeful of at least improving on that.