Family atmosphere a vital part of ND success

Northern Districts had a very successful State Shield campaign although the final outcome may have appeared a little against the odds.

To do well in any season a team needs to have good management, quality individual performances and a little bit of luck. Certainly ND experienced each of these components along the way to winning the State Shield.

The quality of the competition in the State Shield this season was evident by the narrow point range that separated the top and bottom sides all the way through. All teams should be congratulated on the evenness of the competition.

In our 10 round-robin games we beat and lost to each of the other teams.

Owing to the fact that recently ND have contributed a number of players into the Telstra Clear Black Caps, it is obvious that for the Knights to perform well they have to get the best from those players who might have limited opportunities.

This presented a number of interesting challenges.

At the start of the State Shield the expanded squad of 16 met and highlighted the importance of each player setting the highest standards of personal performance and remaining focused to the task and ready to perform to their best on call was highlighted.

The wider squad was involved at every opportunity in ND's preparation and this produced a solid benefit in terms of continuity and seamlessness in times when there was a frequent transition of players in and out during the campaign.

A number of people lend considerable support to the Knights and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them:

We now turn our attention back to the State Championship where at round six of the competition we find ourselves mid-table. Again, there is not a huge spread between the top and bottom sides. A couple of wins could see the Knights challenging for top spot in the competition.