The Banyana Banyana coach has selected a good mix of younger and older players to train, with ages ranging from 19 to 31. Ellis does feel that this is vital for the team.
“If you look at the squad we have selected, most are in their 20s and they are almost in their prime, then we have the more experienced ones that are 28 or so. It’s always important to refresh the squad but you can’t throw out the experienced ones or you’ll sit with a team that has no experience just a year away from the crucial qualifiers,” Ellis explained to SAFA.
She also aims to create unity amongst the team, making sure every player has the same mindset.
“The main idea is to have a core group. We are trying to get everybody on the same level of fitness so that if one player withdraws, you can automatically replace them as every player will not be too far behind in terms of fitness and knowledge of what is needed,” she said.
The camp is meant to prepare the team for the 2017 COSAFA Women’s Championship which takes place in September. Most of the team selected for the camp are also set to take part in the 2017 World Student Games which will be held in Taipei from the 19 until the 30th August.
BANYANA BANYANA TRAINING CAMP SQUAD