SINGAPORE — In about three weeks, the curtains will finally fall on a very hectic and tiring year for the Singapore netball team.

But before that happens, there is still the Mission Foods Nations Cup to compete in, starting tomorrow at the OCBC Arena.

Hosts Singapore, ranked 15th in the world, will take on Papua New Guinea (world No 16), followed by Northern Ireland (12), Chinese Taipei (unranked), Botswana (19), and a Singapore Invitational team made up of members of the national opens squad, top club players, and an invited Fijian international during the championship (Dec 13-19).

But even though the six-team tournament is the Republic’s last international event of the year, following the South-east Asian Games in June, which they won, and the World Cup in August, Ruth Aitken’s 12-woman squad will not be taking their foot off the pedal.

“Not interested,” said the New Zealander who coached her country to the world title in 2003, when asked how tired her players are at this time of the year.

“It has been a long season, but we also want to end it on a high too and finish really well. There are some world ranking points to get at the tournament too.

“We have to keep the momentum going, and the intensity still has to be high. Motivation among the girls though is definitely not an issue, as they want to make Singapore proud.”

Aitken’s squad features three changes from the SEA Games team, which will miss former vice-captain Chen Huifen, who is taking a break from the sport. Parveen Nair, 22, and Toh Wan Ling, 26, who have three international caps between them, will make their Nations Cup debut, while Kwok Shuyi, who last took part in the Nations Cup in 2013, also makes her return.

“There will never be another Huifen. She has been outstanding for us and her shoes are big shoes to fill,” said Aitken.

“However, there is a lot of depth in Singapore netball though, and a lot of players in the invitational squad are really pushing for selection to the national team.

“I will be sussing out the talents during the competition. It is good for me to tweak selection, to keep the girls on their toes too.”

Added Nurul Baizura, 25: “It is always a question on how we can get past being champions in Asia. It is a challenge, as we are not full-time players, but I believe that with more hard work we can mix with the big girls one day.

“It has been a tiring year, but everyone’s still looking very fresh and motivated.” ADELENE WONG

Singapore’s fixtures

Dec 13 - vs PNG, 3pm

Dec 14 - vs Northern Ireland, 7pm

Dec 15 - vs Chinese Taipei, 7pm

Dec 16 - vs Botswana, 7pm

Dec 18 - vs Singapore Invitational, 7pm