AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The morale of a nation rests on the shoulders of New Zealand's Silver Ferns as they get ready to meet Australia in today's New World Netball World Championships final at The Trusts Stadium here in Waitakere City.

New Zealand sports fans have been building their hopes around the national netball team as their only remaining hope of winning a world title in any sport in 2007, following dismal performances by the country in various competitions this year.

The national rugby team - the All Blacks - were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup while the rugby league team have not won a game all year.
The cricket team - the Black Caps - were ousted from the ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies in April and in yacht racing's biggest event - The Americas Cup - New Zealand also lost.

Inside The Trusts Stadium during New Zealand's semi-final against Jamaica on Friday a group of ladies were walking around with a poster that read " Ruth Aitken for All Blacks coach" - Ruth Aitken is coach of New Zealand's netball team.

"We had a bit of a rough start with the Rugby World Cup so we're going to turn that with the Aussies tomorrow (today) and it's all going to be good," Nicky Tenn, one fan the Observer caught up with outside the stadium, said.

And even the stadium announcer got in on the act during the New Zealand/Jamaica semi-final while the Sunshine Girls were still leading. He implored the crowd to get behind the Silver Ferns as it was New Zealand's one shot at winning a trophy this year.

Jamaican contingent proud of showing at WNC

Despite disappointment at the loss to New Zealand, senior members of Jamaica's netball fraternity were beaming with pride at the showing by the national team in the Netball World Championships semi-final game against New Zealand.

"Certainly the girls went out to prove that they are worth the attention and that they can compete and that they really have it in them to win," Convenor of the Jamaica Netball Association's Coaching Committee Paula Daley-Morris told the Observer.

"It's unfortunate that they didn't win, but I'm satisfied with their performance," she added.

Jamaica Netball Association president Marva Bernard said losing was difficult but in the face of those back home who thought the team might not even make it this far, it was a signal they need to back the national team more.

"It's a tough loss, I though they were going to pull it off but it's a tough loss and just means we have to go out there tomorrow hard against England."

"We need to have more confidence in our players and we have to give them all the support that they need," Bernard concluded.