Preparing the Samoan Under-21 netball team has not been easy as they gear up for the Digicel Punjas International Youth Netball Series which starts on Wednesday.

The team arrived into the country on Saturday night and coach Lee Edwards said it was difficult getting the team together.

But she has guaranteed it will not be a hindrance as they build towards taking part in the 2017 Under-21 World Netball Championship in Botswana in July.

“We haven’t had the time to get together at all because it is hard with the girls living in different countries,” Edwards said.

“Bringing them here together in Fiji as a build up for Botswana is really good. With the girls living in Australia, New Zealand and Samoa it has been difficult to train as a proper team.

“We’ve only been together twice but I don’t really think our lack of time together will hinder our performance in the series. It is good we are coming together now rather than later.

“The series will show us where we are at and what we need to work on.”

With their first game against New Zealand, Edwards said it would show the girls what it is like to play top level netball especially newcomers Katriana Niumata, Jackie Tuivaiti and Te Salanoa.

“A lot of these girls haven’t really had any international experience and this is going to show them exactly how hard it is playing top tier teams.

Samoa play New Zealand 4pm on Wednesday at the Vodafone Arena.

Edited by Osea Bola

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