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Thursday 21 September 2017 15:56, UK
Pamela Cookey says everyone wants to be a shooter as the Severn Stars prepare for Saturday's inaugural British Fast5 All-Stars Championship.
Excitement is building for the eight franchises ahead this weekend's extravaganza at The O2 as netball with a twist comes to the capital.
A host of rule changes, including five players instead of seven, three different scoring zones and power plays mean fans should be in for thrill-a-minute contests.
But as Cookey explains it's not just those in attendance who are excited. The Stars director of netball told Sky Sports that everyone wants to be the superstar on Saturday night and they've been sending her the evidence.
"Shooters can shoot from outside the circle so you get more points depending on where you are," Cookey said.
"We have had centre court players saying can we be shooters! Everyone wants to be a shooter and they have all been sending me videos of long-range shooting!
"With rolling subs, power play quarters where double points are on offer, literally anything can happen and it can change quickly. There are so many variables and it becomes a strategy thing as well for the coaches on how to use them.
"With the double plays and if you have your shooter on and it also happens to be your power play - you could blow your opposition away in one quarter."
While scoring goals is clearly the aim of the game, the variables change with no wings on the court, meaning the role of the mid-courters is crucial.
"The centre court players are the real engines, without the WA and WD they are having to do everything. As well as that GD are having to get out there and attack so they are coming out of their comfort zone as well," she added.
"Even more than usual it's about the whole team who have to work together on attack and on defence."
The format has also allowed the franchises to reach out and add some of the international superstars to their squad and the Stars are no different.
South African pair Phumza Maweni and Maryka Holtzhausen were both part of the Proteas squad that beat England in the recent Quad Series and will bolster both ends of the court, while new coach Sam Bird will also be out to make an early impression.
"We have our internationals from South Africa and they are going to add a really nice element to the squad, " said Cookley.
"Our two England international are Jodie (Gibson) and Ellie (Cardwell). It's a really nice squad with players returning from last season and with Sam as our new head coach, we are looking to build on what we started last year as a new team.
"The end of September is early and in our pre-season phase so we can bring the tournament into our preparations and that's ideal.
"It's such an exciting tournament in itself and the Fast5 buzz that comes with that we have seen in internationals and when we hosted FastNet over here in England.
"Playing at The O2, I played there for England, in that kind of venue for players is phenomenal and with that many fans being able to come and watch is incredible."
Pamela Cookey was speaking to Sky Sports' Paul Prenderville. Tickets for the British Fast5 All-Stars Championship are available now from www.theo2.co.uk and start from just £20 with group tickets available priced from £60 for four adults. VIP Courtside tickets are available for £150 from www.fast5allstars.com.
Catch the action from the Fast5 All-Stars Championship, live Sky Sports Mix & Arena, from 5pm on Saturday, September 23.
And follow the 2018 Vitality Superleague season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/Netball also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkyNetball.
