Netball: Irvine ready to take on Aussies

Larne Grammar teacher Hannah Irvine is ready to lock horns with the best team on the planet when Northern Ireland face Australia in an international netball friendly in England on Friday night, writes Richard Bullick.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jan 2013, 23:02 BST

And while the NI vice-captain admits it will be a tall order against a side full of professionals, she’s looking forward to taking on the awesome Aussies, who have won the last two World Cups.

The two teams last met in Singapore in 2011, when a 75-33 defeat represented a respectable scoreline for Northern Ireland. They went on to reach the quarter-finals for the first time while Australia retained the trophy with a thrilling victory over New Zealand.

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“You want to test yourself against the best and in netball the opposition doesn’t get any bigger than Australia,” said PE teacher Irvine. “They are to netball what the All Blacks are to rugby, or Brazil to football, so it is an incredibly daunting, but exciting challenge which everyone’s relishing.”

Australia are preparing to face England in a block-buster Test series, while the all-important target for Northern Ireland in 2013 is securing qualification for next year’s Commonwealth Games.

“The coming months are absolutely crucial for us and indeed the future of Northern Ireland netball,” explained the 28-year-old.

“Playing in the Commonwealth Games is a top, personal ambition for the current crop of players and would do wonders for the sport’s profile here.”

Related topics:Northern IrelandAustraliaNetballEnglandAll Blacks