Netball: Colling out of Silver Ferns

By RICHARD BOOCK

The latest, possibly the last, and certainly the most puzzling chapter in Belinda Colling's international netball career saw her omitted from the New Zealand training squad at the weekend.

On a Hamilton evening in which, it seemed, almost every netballer who could pass, catch or shoot was named in one squad or another, the question of how Colling could be good enough to be chosen as captain one year, and not good enough to make the top 17 the next, went largely unanswered.

Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering tried to justify the decision by saying the squad was performance-based and that Colling, who made herself unavailable in order to concentrate on Olympic basketball commitments, was left out due to her lack of match play.

But she said other players, such as Tania Nicholson and Donna Loffhagen, had been selected in the squad despite missing major parts of the season.

Apart from Colling's absence, the squad features 18-year-old Auckland Girls Grammar attack Nicolette Ropati and the promotion of Waikato defender Leigh Price, while Fijian goal-keep Vilimaina Davu and Taranaki shoot Daneka Wipiiti received predictable call-ups.

Ropati, a third cousin of the league and rugby playing relatives was a stand-out performer for Manukau last week, and capped off her tournament with an eyecatching effort in the playoff for third and fourth against Southland - when she was marked by Silver Ferns captain Bernice Mene.

Initially more of a mid-court option, she has been monitored through the age group levels by Netball New Zealand coaching staff.

"We first sighted her in the age groups and have been following her progress with interest," Willering said.

"I had some initial concerns that her lack of experience might be a problem but in the end I thought she handled things pretty well."

Davu, although missing out on the squad at the start of the international season, always seemed likely to make the top 17, while Price's workrate and never-say-die qualities finally won the selectors over.

Willering said the bottom line for Colling was that she needed to play to be considered for selection.

"We've selected this squad on performance during the season, and through one thing or another, we haven't seen Belinda on the court that much. Our criteria is heavily form based, but I stress that we haven't closed the door on anyone."

Colling, who turns 25 tomorrow, was first chosen to play for New Zealand in 1996 under Leigh Gibbs, and took over the mantle of captaincy the following year after Bernice Mene opted out of the tour of England and Wales.

The Cromwell-raised dual international made her debut at wing attack, but was soon moved into the troublesome goal attack position, bringing variety and composure to the New Zealand shooting circle at a time when it was desperately needed.

But for a missed attempt by shooting partner Loffhagen in the world championship final last October, she probably would have been considered one of the most successful captains in New Zealand netball history.

Colling missed much of this season's Coca Cola Cup after undergoing knee surgery, and ruled herself out of the internationals against Australia and the Rest of the World in order to recover completely in time for the Olympics.

As it happened, Loffhagen played in the 23-goal loss against Australia before withdrawing for similar reasons, while Nicholson decided to forgo the national provincial championship tournament to attend her brother's wedding in Britain.

Apart from Colling, the other members of last season's squad to miss the cut were shooters Teresa Tairi and Jodi Te Huna, defender Lorna Suafoa, and centre Julie Seymour who is pregnant.

The selectors were allowed to name up to 18 players in the squad, but had chose 17 to keep their options open.