Move is about development

Adie Herbert is arguably one of the Bay of Plenty's most successful netballers of the past decade. She has represented the region at the national provincial championships for the past nine years as well as playing for past representative Rotorua teams and, more recently, the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic franchise in both its development and National Bank Cup sides.

The lanky shooter has also starred in one of the Bay's most successful club sides, formerly called Kaya but now simply under the Ngongotaha club umbrella.

Netball has been a major part of 29-year-old Herbert's life for two decades but the time has come for a focus on work.

With that in mind, she's off to Australia at the end of the year with a view to progressing her career as a restaurant manager.

Herbert will be a big loss to both her club and the region, having held court at the shooting end for both for so long.

An on-form Herbert has always been a formidable weapon.

Originally from Taumarunui, Herbert moved to Rotorua about 14 years ago to study hospitality at the city's tertiary institution.

Work kept her in Rotorua and finding a netball team to play for was a priority.

A defender before her move to the Sulphur City, Herbert spent her first season with club side Kaya at goal keep before being moved to the shooting end of the court, where she quickly became one of the Bay's best.

"I enjoy shooting," said Herbert.

"I do feel the pressure sometimes but you learn to deal with it. Netball is 90 percent mental and 10 percent just playing your game."

Herbert admits she's a "confidence player".

"If I get the first shot in then I'm okay ... mentally you need to be prepared and once those goals go in I'm happy to shoot from anywhere."

Herbert has always loved netball for the camaraderie.

"You do your individual stuff but it takes seven to win a game and I enjoy the social aspect of it."

Herbert played for Rotorua in her earlier years in the region, then for Bay of Plenty.

She's had four seasons with the Magic franchise, an experience which, she says, has aided her development.

"Playing at that level with experienced players like Jenny-May Coffin who pass on their knowledge has helped me a lot.

"I've learned a lot playing representative netball and this year, as the oldest in the Magic development team, felt I had plenty to pass on to the younger ones," she said.

"I've always got lots out of the sport for myself, gained a lot of skills, and I'm keen to maybe get into coaching but will get some qualifications first."

Giving back to the sport she's enjoyed so much for so many years is important to Herbert.

"There are a lot of up and coming players and I'm keen to get out there and pass on some of what I've learned."

But that's in the future. Right now, it's time for a change.

Herbert is happy with what she has achieved over the years and admits leaving the Bay will be tough.

She finishes her job at Rotorua's Park Heritage Hotel, where she has progressed up the ranks to restaurant manager, at the end of December.

She'll spend time over the New Year with her family in Taumarunui before heading for Australia's Gold Coast to work at Jupiter's Casino as a restaurant supervisor.

She's not yet sure if the move to Australia is permanent but is keen to branch out and tackle a new challenge.

As for netball, Herbert is uncertain about her playing future in the sport and initially planned to take an extended break.

However, she's already starting to have second thoughts, admitting it's hard to imagine life without netball.

"I've had a bit of a rest after the nationals this year and I'm bored already.

"I'll see what happens when I get to Aussie."