NI netball coach aiming for top six finish in Liverpool

Northern Ireland's head coach says the squad are hoping to finish in the top-half at the World Cup this summer.

Dan Ryan was speaking after a show game in Lisburn at the weekend.

The Warriors currently sit eighth in the world rankings and qualified for the World cup after an impressive 57-42 win over Wales.

Dan says they are aiming high this summer:

"We've got a really clear target in terms of making sure that we can maintain our ranking first and foremost but we also want to give ourselves the best possible chance to play the style of netball that we have been working on since December.

"If we can execute some of our strategies and our structures and also play with the intensity that is required, we might get some results to fall our way.

"But we know it's going to be tough and every game is going to mean something."

Dan took over from head coach Elaine Rice in November and the girls have described him as 'a new lease of life' for the sport.

The Aussie and former Manchester Thunder boss has a wealth of experience.

**We don't want to rock up to the world cup just happy to be there, we want to be better than what we ever have been before.**

The competition will be his first ever in charge of a national squad.

He told Downtown Cool FM, his side will give it their all:

"I think we need to be inspirational, it's a big ask because it is a big jump from eight to six but one thing I've really tried to instill into this group is a winner's mindset.

"We don't want to rock up to the World Cup just happy to be there, we want to be better than what we ever have been before.

"So if that means we maintain our ranking but play a more high-end style of netball, or if it means we can climb up the rankings then so be it.

"We'll give it everything."

The Warriors suffered a narrow 52-46 loss to UK men's side The Knights on Saturday, as they kick-started their final preparations for the competition.

Dan said mixed matches help get the squad ready in a unique way:

**It's not a game for the faint-hearted.**

"It's a really interesting concept that has been used in Australia and New Zealand for decades.

"The men present some of the best match practice the women can possibly get, particularly in preparation for the World Cup.

"It's a completely different style of game, the physicality, the amount of work that you have to do off-the-ball to get free, how hard you have to work in defence against the guys is something that you can't really replicate against women."

Netball is often described as a non-contact sport but as Dan told Downtown Cool FM, that is a widespread misconception given the contest:

"It's the great myth about netball being a non-contact sport and I think if you ever watch a game at the elite level you'll see it's a ferocious game.

"These girls train like full-time athletes, they lift weights, they do a lot of strength and conditioning work, they're happy to hit each other, they're happy to get hit it's all part of the game.

"It's not a game for the faint-hearted when you get to the top level, you give it and you take it and it's all part of the fun."

Northern Ireland Warriors face world number one Australia in their opening game, followed by Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in the pool matches.

The Netball World Cup takes place in Liverpool from 12-21 July.