NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
    • Cooking the Books
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Sport / Netball

Netball: Colling keeps one eye on world champs

22 May, 2003 09:42 AM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

By JULIE ASH

This time last year, Belinda Colling was sporting a black eye. And it was a beauty.

The Silver Fern goal attack received an absolute shiner in last year's final of the national league where her Canterbury Flames side were edged out by the Southern Sting 54-48.

While netball fans around
the country watched in horror as Colling's eye immediately turned black and swelled up to the point where it was almost shut, she played on.

"It was just a sore eye, she still had the other one," said Canterbury Flames coach Margaret Foster. "It wasn't like she had a broken leg or anything."

There was no way Colling was coming off.

"That is what is so great about Belinda. She puts others above herself. She is an amazing leader, has great skills and you couldn't find a player more determined.

"She had no intention of coming off in that game and I didn't even think about taking her off," said Foster.

Colling will need to draw on that kind of toughness when she lines up with the Silver Ferns in Jamaica for the world championships in July.

"I am expecting it to be harder than last time," Colling said. "I think our biggest hurdle will be that semifinal."

In "that" semifinal, New Zealand could find themselves up against hometown favourites Jamaica - or even defending champions Australia.

"Jamaica will be twice as hard in their home environment. Their crowds are very vocal, they stand up for the whole match. They sort of live on every ball. They are very supportive of their own team and not so supportive of everyone else."

Not that the Ferns aren't ready for the battle.

"I have a lot of confidence in the team we have got. Everyone is on the same wavelength and I think we can do it."

Born in Cromwell, Colling first made the Silver Ferns in 1996.

"I remember I was too scared to listen to the radio to see who was in the team. I just didn't want to hear, so I went to the movies for the day.

"I remember coming back to my flat in Dunedin which I shared with my brother and him coming down the hall and saying that I was in. I was feeling pretty proud I guess."

Colling's debut was against South Africa where she came on as wing attack.

"I remember I warmed up in every quarter for about three games," she laughed.

"My first game was in Palmerston North. Leigh Gibbs [the-then Silver Ferns coach] had warmed me up in every quarter but I never thought I was going on.

"So I was standing out the back talking to April Ieremia when Leigh told me I was going on. I was shocked."

Since then Colling has been a regular in the national side, apart from 2000, where she had knee surgery, and then represented New Zealand in basketball at the Sydney Olympics where they finished 11th.

She believes netball has become a lot more physical and the rulings "a little bit too pedantic".

"I think it needs to open up to allow that free-flowing game.

"The game is fast and physical and at the moment the players almost feel a little guilty for wanting to contest the ball.

"Australia have played that style for some time. I think when we get to that international level we are always a bit surprised at how physical Australia are. We are slowly getting up to playing at that level nationally, which will help us internationally."

After the world championships, Colling intends returning to basketball to push for a place in the team for the 2004 Olympics.

But netball's showpiece is first and foremost.

When asked how she thinks the likes of Jamaica, Australia and even England view the Silver Ferns, Colling hopes they are afraid, very afraid.

"They will know not a lot has changed in the core makeup of the team but I guess they won't know a lot about the new players like Jodi Te Huna, Anna Scarlett and Tania Dalton. So there is that little bit of the unknown as well."

Belinda Colling

* Born: Cromwell, September 12, 1975.

* Lives: Christchurch.

* Occupation: Works in management for Barnardos; team leader for Canterbury/ West Coast early childhood services.

* Position: Goal attack, Wing attack.

* Height: 1.78m.

* Test caps: 63.

* Career highlights:

1996/99, 2001/03 - Silver Fern.

1997/99 - Silver Ferns captain.

1996/00 - New Zealand women's basketball side.

1998/00 - Otago Rebels.

2001/03 - Canterbury Flames.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Netball

Silver Ferns

'Pressure is building': Netball Players Association tell athletes to plan for life after ANZ Premiership

14 May 05:00 PM
Silver Ferns

How Players Association plans to bring Nweke back to ANZ Premiership

13 May 03:02 AM
Netball

Magic ready for first 2025 home game against Steel

13 May 12:25 AM

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Netball

'Pressure is building': Netball Players Association tell athletes to plan for life after ANZ Premiership

'Pressure is building': Netball Players Association tell athletes to plan for life after ANZ Premiership

14 May 05:00 PM

The Players Association wants a new broadcast deal in place by the end of July.

How Players Association plans to bring Nweke back to ANZ Premiership

How Players Association plans to bring Nweke back to ANZ Premiership

13 May 03:02 AM
Magic ready for first 2025 home game against Steel

Magic ready for first 2025 home game against Steel

13 May 12:25 AM
How coaching changes could shift the balance in ANZ Premiership

How coaching changes could shift the balance in ANZ Premiership

09 May 04:15 AM
Explore the hidden gems of NSW
sponsored

Explore the hidden gems of NSW

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP