Bourgaize show set to roll - watch out Jersey
THE Bourgaize family will hardly have a moment's peace at Beau Sejour this weekend.
THE Bourgaize family will hardly have a moment's peace at Beau Sejour this weekend. Mother Denise and her daughters Nena and Zola, have been selected in the senior A inter-insular squad together for the first time, but that will be just one of four matches at least one of them will be involved in over the two days of competition.
Denise will be starting for the senior B side at goalkeeper and she also coaches the Guernsey under-18 team, which is captained by Zola.
Meanwhile, as well as her playing duties in the main event, Nena will be in action as an umpire.
They would not have it any other way, though, and the icing on the cake would be for all three of them to be on court together at some point during the A match.
'That would be lovely, wouldn't it?' said a proud Denise.
'I am quite chuffed that all three of us are in the squad. I have worked hard on my own fitness this year and it has obviously paid off.'
But is it difficult to play with or coach your daughters?
'I don't worry about Nena, I just leave her to it. She has got so much experience now that she knows more than me anyway.
'I have been playing in the same team as Zola for two years now and I must admit that maybe I do shout more at her than the other girls.
'But that is because, as a parent, you know what your kids can and cannot do so if she makes a poor pass I let her know because I know she can do better.
'But she played in the B game last year and now is in the A, so she is doing well.'
Zola will be at centre for the under-18s as they look to retain the trophy they won in convincing style last year 34-21, even though the majority of the squad still have a couple of years left at this age group.
'It is a really strong team, I don't think there is a weak spot,' said Denise.
'We have got cracking defenders, experienced players in centre court and outstanding shooters. As long as we play good, clean netball we will do well.
'Home advantage is a big boost, especially for the girls as they have got all their mates coming up and they want to prove to them why they are in the island squad,' she added.
Guernsey's senior A side are also looking to retain their title, which was won in impressive fashion 11 months ago.
Sonia Grant-Yendell made her inter-insular debut that day and played an integral part in the 47-41 victory, but she admitted yesterday that she had not realised the intensity that surrounds matches against Jersey.
'Last year I was extremely confident of the girls ability and that we would win. That was because it was all new to me.
'This year there are lots of other things that have been brought into play. It is my first year as coach and the season has been relatively disruptive in terms of player unavailability and inconsistent performances. Also, I know what to expect in terms of atmosphere and the general vibe of the weekend.
'I am quite nervous about the whole thing this time,' she said.
There is only one change in the personnel from last year's starting side because Liz Stonebridge has been unable to commit to the squad this season for personal reasons.
However, there are several positional changes with only Claire Queripel starting in the same bib that she wore last year.
Kerrie Hussey has returned to goalkeeper with both Lorna Brown and Naomi Taylor pushing forward a spot, as have Grant-Yendell and Nena Bourgaize in attack. Lois Batiste comes in at WA.
'The good thing about our squad is that we are able to work well together because a lot of the girls have grown up together and know each other so well.'
Grant-Yendell had no qualms about including teenagers Zola Bourgaize and Lyndsey Bougourd on the bench either, describing them as 'cool as cucumbers'.
'A team is only as good as its bench because they have got to come on and start straight away.
'The girls on the bench will have played the day before so will be slightly fatigued, but we know they will slot straight in whenever required.'
The Guernsey coach does not want any complacency and acknowledged that Jersey are a good team, adding that nothing can be taking for granted in an inter-insular.
'It will be a fight to the bitter end,' she said.
'At the end of the day, the team that holds their nerve will come out on top.'
As coach of the senior B as well, Grant-Yendell's focus is also spread and she emphasised the significance of that game as well.
'The game is just as important as any other on that day. The girls are totally up for it. They want to show that they are good netball players and capable of playing at a higher level,' she said.