Netball: Silver Ferns beckons Northlanders

Kawakawa's Cathrine Latu is hoping to stay in new Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby's radar. Photo / Greg Bowker

This year could have a silver lining for Northland's Cathrine Latu and Jess Moulds; two of the region's best exports.

Latu has entered 2016 with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, but admits she had plenty of soul-searching to do following the disappointment of missing out on the Silver Ferns World Cup and Constellation Cup teams last year.

"Mentally, it has been a tough ride. But I've picked myself up and spent a lot of time in the gym," Latu told mynetball.co.nz. "I understand it's something I should have been doing a little while ago, but it's been good to have the time to work on me and I'm so glad it has paid off."

Putting in some serious time at the gym, Latu is one step closer to pulling on the black dress again, and is intent on putting some distance between her dramatic low of last year and where she is at now.

"I think with my increase in fitness, I'm getting better at making good decisions.

"I came into trials [at the end of 2015] quite nervous, not really knowing what kind of netball I was going to put out there. I knew I had done the work physically, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to catch or shoot. Once I kept reminding myself that I can catch and I can play, it was real exciting and all the nerves just melted away."

Meanwhile, Christmas came early for Northland's Jess Moulds last year after being named in the Silver Ferns Squad for the first time.

She joins newcomers Gina Crampton, Storm Purvis and Anna Harrison (returning following the birth of her second child) in the 2016 Silver Ferns Squad.

The 26-year-old defender says the move to the Mainland Tactix for the 2014 season came at the right time. "The change to the Tactix was good for me, but more than anything, I've established a good life for myself outside of netball," Moulds said. After rupturing her Achilles tendon, Moulds made her return in 2015 featuring in all matches for the Tactix.

"I've always worked hard on my strength and conditioning, but the biggest change for me has been my mental skills, I believed in myself and came into the selection camp determined to put my best foot forward. I'm excited for the opportunity. I love a challenge and am looking forward to working with these girls. It's an honour to work alongside them and I can't wait to learn from them."