ALTHOUGH it was not the result the England Roses hoped for heading into the Taini Jamison Trophy series – losing all three games – there are plenty of positives to take away from their performances across the series with a number of young players stepping up to the plate. Acting head coach Kat Ratnapala was extremely pleased with the effort the group showed throughout the series noting the depth of players as a real positive from the test.

“Having the strength and depth of the squad is really important for us and I think, as an England squad we’ve usually had a squad of 12, then there’s been potentially a little bit of a dip from that but now we have got the depth coming through,” Ratnapala said.

“It’s fantastic that we’re able to take quarters off New Zealand, that’s a fantastic achievement for us that with this squad that we’ve got, and individually and as a team I think there’s some real positives that we’ve taken so it’s exciting to get these plays out there,” Ratnapala said. “I think there’s a little bit of pressure off our shoulders with regard to the squad that we’ve got out here, but absolutely the objective of the tour is making sure that we’re getting the most out of it and we’re building for each and every test that we play and each quarter that we play.”

Another key positive Ratnapala has taken away from the tri-series is the overall resilience the players have shown, facing the adversities of travel, quarantine and the rigours of training and fine-tuning new connections, as they hone in on the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

“Absolutely, the challenge with COVID and everything else, I think it’s brought a lot of resilience to this group, and they are turning into a really special group of players. We’ve got a lot of the players coming up through the World Youth Cup, and they’re obviously here now, and it’s next level of players kind of coming through the ranks within England.”

“There’s absolutely a testament to the fact that they’ve all been so resilient in this time, they’ve all learned on each other’s shoulders and really worked hard together to come through the other side and it’s a really exciting time for England Netball,” Ratnapala said.

“For this group to have experienced what they’ve gone through, and just really pleased to have the opportunity to have that international experience.”

With a number of familiar faces missing in the ilk of Helen Housby, Jo Harten, Geva Mentor, Layla Guscoth, Chelsea Pitman and Natalie Haythornthwaite all unavailable due to a condensed Suncorp Super Netball season, Ratnapala made mention of how it was up to the squad to absorb that element of accountability and rise to the occasion in front of them.

“I think people are really stepping up and delivering and as I say that, the accountability is massive for the players to step out on court to put their best foot forward and to demand respect from the opposition and from our own players, and we’ve got some real characters out there that aren’t frightened to take on the challenge which is really exciting,” she said. “It’s just been taking the opportunities and that’s all that we can ask for, is just that they go out and they play the game that they love.”

“From a developmental point of view and to make sure that we are exposing these players, it’s been fantastic to get them out. The resilience that they’ve shown; the courage that they’ve shown is fantastic. It’s really exciting to be part of all of their journeys.”

England were faced with a wealth of obstacles heading into the series, dealing with a 14-day quarantine when they landed in New Zealand in order to comply with the appropriate COVID-safe requirements. It was an “eye opening experience” to say the least for the squad who made the journey over, with “everybody’s character and resilience” put to the test.  But the biggest obstacle the Roses and Ratnapala herself had to overcome was the fact that head coach, Jess Thirlby was unable to make the journey, sidelined after returning a positive COVID-19 test, leaving Ratnapala in charge of the troops on the ground in New Zealand.

“Yeah, it was to be honest a real shock (Thirlby’s COVID test). First of all, obviously we did two COVID tests before coming out to New Zealand and it was in that first COVID test, despite having no symptoms; so she was asymptomatic and got the positive result which was a huge shock to us all,” Ratnapala explained.

“So, yeah, from getting the news back home, again kind of just all snowballed into a bit of an effect to be honest with us just making sure that we had everything crossed and made sure that we were obviously good to come in and fly out here. Then we’ve kind of just been running it each day and game as it comes, making sure that we’re changing and adapting things.

“It’s not only the players who have to be adaptable with the changes of COVID and everyday life but we’ve (coaching team and staff) obviously had to adapt and roll with the punches as well so it’s been a challenge.”

In a year when the unexpected has become the new normal, Ratnapala was thrust into the role of acting head coach for the Roses, communicating with Thirlby back home in the UK as the action unfolded before her eyes.

“Jess is very much a part of the squad and doing a lot of work behind the scenes, and so we are in regular contact with her and just making sure that we’re obviously keeping her updated with what’s going on over here, but obviously taking her lead with the squad and making sure that we’re preparing for Commonwealth Games because that at the end of the day is what we’re here for. To get this national exposure, to see the next players kind of stepping up and delivering and to give that international experience,” she said.

Acting as head coach of a national side is no easy feat, even if it is only for three games, and it is something Ratnapala will always treasure and value, saying the unexpected experience has taught her a wealth of things on both a personal and professional level.

“It’s been a whirlwind, it really has, but I’ve learned lots of lessons about myself, my character and my personality and lots more from an international perspective as well so it’s been it’s been really eye opening,” Ratnapala said. “Obviously I’m gladly handing the baton back over to Jess Thirlby when we return back to home, but yeah, I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity and the experience here.”

“I’m just really grateful for the opportunity, and very humbled by the opportunity and also very thankful for the New Zealand Netball and the New Zealand government for taking care of us so well and looking after us in this time of COVID,” she said.