Tall Ferns happy with stress-free Commonwealth Games build-up on Gold Coast

Normally when athletes depart to compete at the Commonwealth Games, they face lengthy travel just to arrive on site.

So having the games across the ditch is a real plus - and for many of our women's basketball players, the trip was even shorter.

For Tall Ferns co-captain Natalie Taylor, it was just a 45 minute drive up the road.

"Most of our girls are based in Aussie and I think that's an advantage for us," she said.

"We don't have to deal with timezones really [or] adjusting our bodies - a lot of us can stick to our usual routines with not much difference so it's been pretty good."

The majority of the Tall Ferns play in Australia with two others flying in from New Zealand and one from the US.

For a team that doesn't spend much time together, it's allowed them to get to work straight away.

It also means they'll have plenty of support on the court, guard Toni Edmondson says.

"It's almost like a bit of a homecourt advantage for us which will be fantastic and having my mum and dad there, they don't get to see me play much. It'll be awesome to have them there."

Another benefit of being so close to home is local connections. The team has been able to set up practice games against Gold Coast men's teams as part of their preparation, coach Guy Molloy said..

"When you play against men's teams, they're obviously really physical and powerful, dynamic - that kind of style," he said.

"[It's a different type of game but they put as much pressure on as what we're going to face so it's a good challenge."

The only other time basketball was included in the Commonwealth Games was 2006.

While the Tall Ferns relocate to Cairns today for their pool games, they're hoping their stress-free build-up will give them the edge they need.