Just as netballers' incomes coast towards semi-professionalism, it's not often you get a player who reckons she owes the game rather than the other way around.
Being groomed for the world under-21 championships next year, Rotorua netballer Erena Mikaera attributes her success to the support of Netball Bay
of Plenty.
"I owe all my netball success to the Bay. Every netballer goes through that stage of not wanting to play, but they have always pushed and helped me through it," Mikaera explained.
While narrowly missing out on the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic roster for the inaugural transtasman competition, Mikaera is still getting a taste of professionalism.
Alongside fellow under-21 player and current Western Heights High School head girl Elias Shadrock, Mikaera works as part of the wider Magic training group. The opportunity to learn from some of the best in the game including formidable defensive duo Casey Williams and Joline Henry is an experience the 19-year-old defender continues to relish.
"It's cool being able to play with Casey and Jol's [Henry]. I get to play up against Maria [Tutaia] and Irene [van Dyk]."
Far removed from the glamour of footing it with the cream of the international crop, Mikaera has also recently been named in this season's Whakarewarewa [Whaka] Red squad. As well as competing in the Rotorua local competition, Whaka will also contest the Baywide competition set to kick off in May.
"The girls are training really hard so they can win Baywide. I think we can do it," Mikaera said. Whaka finished second last year behind Maheatataka.
The Reds have retained the bulk of their squad with Bay of Plenty representatives Christina Diamond and Pauline Craven anchoring the team.
Whaka coach Kim Solomon said: "We are fortunate to have strength throughout the court and a nice balance of young and experienced players. We want to bring out the X-factor and play an exciting game with confidence and flair."
2008 Whakarewarewa Red netball squad - Shayla Reihana, Ida Ritete, Jaylene Tamati, Annabelle Aston, Renee Tutua, Elaine Malan, Pauline Craven, Melissa Ruru, Christina Diamond, Erena Mikaera.
Coaches: Kim Solomon and Brandi Hudson. Umpire: Sean Vercoe.
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