Local-born netballer back to boost attack

SINGAPORE's netball team are set to receive a boost at the July 3-10 Mission Foods World Netball Championship here with the inclusion of Asha Tett, 25, a former England Under-21 player.
The Singapore-born goal attack/wing attack/goal-shooter has rejoined the team after last representing the Republic at the 2005 Asian Championship.
Said the 1.78m-tall player, who helped netball powerhouse England - ranked world No.3 - to a silver medal at the World Youth Championship in that year:
'Being in the England squad... it has made me tougher and I know what sort of level I need to compete at to be consistent and successful.'
She plays for Team Bath in England's Superleague, a semi-professional league, alongside some of the country's top players like Pamela Cooke - the upcoming World Championship's poster girl. Described as a versatile player and accurate shooter by national coach Kate Carpenter, Tett is expected to play an important role in Singapore's attack, which has been weakened by injuries.
Goal-shooter Cassandra Soh, 21, has been left out of the squad as she has a left fibula stress fracture and Tan Hui Yan, who is Singapore's most experienced shooter with 55 caps, remains a doubt after suffering a knee injury in April.
Tett will be taking leave from her post-graduate degree course at the University of Reading to play in the championship. She will arrive only on June 30, three days before the competition starts.
Carpenter admitted that it would be ideal if Tett had more time to fit into the squad so as to avoid combination issues.
Still, she feels that Tett should be able to adapt quickly given her overseas playing experience, her calibre and her understanding of the Singapore team's style of play.
Added Tett, who will participate in a few training sessions and two practice matches before the competition: 'I would do as much as possible to discuss the way that my team play and what their strengths are, how they can mould me into the team rather than they trying to fit with me.'
Said team captain Jean Ng, 33, who played alongside Tett back in 2005: 'She will definitely give us a boost and she will be a valuable part of the team. She has matured and has played for one of the top three teams in the world.'
Carpenter will be relying on an experienced defence to survive a tough Pool C against Jamaica (world No.4), South Africa (No.6), and Botswana (No.18). Singapore are ranked No.19 and are gunning for a top-12 finish in the competition.
Ng, with 86 national appearances, heads the defence alongside Premila Hirubalan, 28, with 69 caps. Both, along with other veterans like Pearline Chan and Vanessa Lee, will be playing in their final World Championship.
The team are also waiting for the citizenship confirmation of China-born goal-keeper Chen Lili, 21, in time for the competition at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The rules require a player to reside in the country she represents for a minimum of two years to be eligible or be born in the country like Tett.
The 1.96-metre tall Chen has lived in Singapore for more than a year. The current goal-keepers are Ng and vice-captain Lin Qingyi, who are both 1.74m.
Said Carpenter: 'Chen will be crucial in stopping up-and-over balls in defence against taller opponents.'