Netball: Silver Ferns' star going ... but not forgotten

By JULIE ASH

Canterbury Flames coach Margaret Foster is giving Belinda Colling six weeks, maximum.

Then Foster reckons the Silver Ferns' goal attack will be itching to get back on a netball court.

Colling, who has been a key member of the Silver Ferns side for eight years, is moving overseas with her partner, Charlie Hore.

Hore, a first five-eighths and brother of All Black hooker Andrew Hore, has a two-year contract to play rugby in Scotland with the Borders club.

While Colling has yet to discuss her future with Netball New Zealand, Foster believes she will be able to play for the Silver Ferns in their rematch against Australia in November and then for her Flames team in next year's National Bank Cup.

Provided, of course, she wants to.

"You have got to be able to think outside the square with someone like Belinda Colling and be able to provide what is right for her," Foster said.

"I definitely see her playing for the Flames next year. I know our board would do anything to assist her in what she needs.

"I might say to her 'look you can come back a week before [the competition starts]'; it doesn't really worry me with a person of her calibre.

"I am sure Netball New Zealand will do the upmost for Belinda and talk about what is the best for both of them."

Renowned for her exceptional work ethic, Colling played her first test in 1996, against South Africa.

She captained the side for three years from 1997 and after the disappointment of the 1999 world championships and the 2002 Commonwealth Games - where New Zealand were pipped at the post by Australia - was a key figure in last year's world-conquering team which turned the tables on Australia.

She also made headlines two years ago when she copped a black eye in the final of the National Bank Cup.

Colling's eye turned black immediately and swelled up so much it was virtually shut, not the most fortunate thing to have happen when you are required to shoot goals.

But Colling played on.

"It was just a sore eye, she still had the other one," Foster said at the time.

Foster said Colling definitely had the X-factor and had much to offer on and off the court.

"She is just one of those amazing people in that she is really creative and she is really a 'find a solution' type of person. Nothing is really a problem.

"I think she is still very passionate about what she does ... she is far too young to be pulling the pin.

"But I know what she's like. She will only be able to relax, for I'll give her six weeks max," Foster said.

Colling has said she has no intention of giving up the game, but her international future would depend on how her discussions go with Netball New Zealand.

"I see myself in the big picture," Colling said.

"There's some big things in three or four years that I want to be a part of, but I've got to have a bit of a life at some point.

"I've been so focused on my netball for a long time now, probably to the detriment of other things, so I need to just sort of assess that a little bit, but I definitely see myself at those events."

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken was confident Colling and Netball New Zealand could come to some sort of workable arrangement.

"We've yet to have the opportunity to sit down and discuss it but if anything is possible Belinda is the person that can make things possible.

"We will just work through things."