Throw in the added hunger of a Netball World Cup year, and the challenges between playing in Jamaica and South Africa, and the differences are few and far between.
Anna Stanley knows that well, having won the World Cup in Kingston in 2003 and being in South Africa now, preparing as one of the 16 broadcasters for the World Cup starting tomorrow.
Stanley, a star of the great Otago Rebels teams of the late-1990s, knew the Silver Ferns would have security with them, the same as they did in Jamaica, and would be expected to stay within the "team bubble” in order to stay safe throughout the tournament.
"I think when you’re at World Cup campaigns, every decision you make you have to think, ‘is this the best decision for me and is this the best decision for the team?’," Stanley said.
‘‘I think when there’s increased security risks and everything’s heightened then you’re just sort of put in the bubble for a little bit longer."
That was nothing new for players, or coach Noeline Taurua, who has been preparing for this World Cup since finishing victorious in 2019.
The 2003 team prepared for any "what if" scenarios, which Taurua has continued through 2019 and this year. Playing the Quad Series in Cape Town earlier this year gave the team an opportunity to familiarise themselves with their surroundings.
So, could this Silver Ferns team be the first to go back-to-back and break the 16-year curse? (There were 16 years between the 1987 and 2003 wins, and again from 2003 to 2019.)
"I think it’s an exciting team.
"Noels has got some good experience in there. She’s got some young ones in there that will be put to the test.
"I certainly think they’re capable."
Defensively, the Silver Ferns looked strong, and seeing them play "pretty average" against Australia in January’s Quad Series final and only lose by six gave Stanley confidence.
But Jamaica, Australia, England and New Zealand are all in with a shot to win this time.
"It’s going to come down to who puts out the performance when they need to. I think they’re all capable of winning — it’s just that mental shift that needs to get them over the edge.”
The Silver Ferns have had the added luxury of being in camp, including a visit from 2019 captain Laura Langman, for several weeks since the ANZ Premiership wrapped on June 4.
England’s Super League finished on June 11, but several of their players — and Jamaica’s — play in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball, which only finished on July 8.
That has given Australia arguably the most limited build-up, factoring in Netball Australia refusing to name the squad on the original date until a new collective player agreement was signed.
‘‘I think the more time we have together, the more culture you can create within your team," Stanley said.
‘‘I know that the camps are hugely beneficial . . . they’ve really been put through their paces."
The Silver Ferns get under way against Trinidad and Tobago at 7pm New Zealand time tomorrow.
