Experienced Central Manawa captain Jazz Scott has her hands full in helping two teams prepare for their respective tilts at domestic netball titles while clocking up plenty of air miles in the process.
With one round of the regular season remaining, defending champions Central Manawa have already booked their spot in the Synergy Hair Netball League (SHNL) Grand Final on May 14, and now well-travelled midcourter Scott is on hand to help sister team Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse do the same in the ANZ Premiership.
Recently confirmed as the Pulse’s 10th player after injury ended Ainsleyana Puleiata’s season, Scott boarded six flights last weekend in providing cover for the Pulse in Invercargill and Christchurch, her SHNL match sandwiched in between in Wellington.
For the moment, Scott is focussed on Manawa’s final match of the regular season against the Northern Marvels in Wellington on Saturday. Coming off a narrow loss last weekend, Manawa are keen to put the polish on their preparation ahead of the Grand Final against the Comets a week later.
"We always go into a game wanting to win, irrelevant of it qualifying for a final or already being there. We made a lot of changes in our last game with a lot of people in different positions which isn’t an excuse for a loss, so it’s just ensuring we know the strengths that everyone brings and we can play to it,’’ Scott said.
"So, hopefully in the Marvels game this weekend, we can solidify some more connections on court and build that confidence to know that anyone can come on and make a difference.
"It is preparation for the final, so we will step out on that court against Marvels still with high expectations on ourselves to win and continue progressing and learning from the mistakes that we made last time around and make another step forward which will help put us in good stead for the final.’’
Originally from Bath in England, Scott is in her third year with Manawa after arriving in New Zealand nearly five years ago. She spent the first two years cooling her heels while fulfilling the overseas player requirements which were in place at the time.
Making New Zealand her permanent home, Scott forged her resume for Team Bath in the UK’s Super League where she spent six years, while rubbing shoulders with England internationals Serena Guthrie, Pamela Cookey, Ebony Beckford-Chambers and Layla Guscott.
"This is my third year with Manawa and each year I’ve played a different position, my first year was centre, last year was wing defence and this year is wing attack which I’ve really enjoyed,’’ Scott said.
"Wing attack is, I guess, the position I came over to New Zealand as, so it’s been really nice to go back and play that position which I probably consider my first-choice position.
"In terms of captaincy, I enjoy leading by example and understand that I’m in a position where I am a lot older than some of the girls, so my experience is something that I can share with players who are developing.
"I’m furthering towards the end of my career, so it’s been really cool to be able to give back to those who are just starting theirs and who have huge futures ahead of them.’’
A prime example of the key link SHNL players add to their senior teams and the pathway it provides, Scott is thriving in her involvement with the Pulse.
"The girls are awesome and Yvette (McCausland-Durie) has got so much experience as a coach and everyone speaks so highly of her, so it’s been a really cool opportunity to see her in action as a coach and just learn more about that environment,’’ she said.
Scott and Parris Mason will head to Hamilton after Manawa’s game to be on hand for the Pulse’s match against the Magic on Sunday.