Netball: Girls win dream seats at Ferns' big game

A promise made by Ruatoria coach Gerry Heeney has resulted in a dream trip for her team to tonight's series-deciding clash between the Silver Ferns and Australia.

As an incentive to her Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Waiu primary school senior team, Heeney said that if they won the first round of their local competition she would take them to the first test in Wellington (last Saturday).

The pupils duly obliged.

"They won the first round, much to our surprise and amazement," Heeney said.

Primed to plunge into a fund-raising strategy, the great plan was momentarily stalled when it was found all tickets to the Wellington match had been sold.

"The day they went on sale I missed out, I was devastated," Heeney said.

"I didn't tell anyone, though, because I thought there must be someone out there who could help us."

Former Silver Ferns coach and Gisborne resident Leigh Gibbs came to the rescue, suggesting the third and final test in Christchurch as an option.

"All hell broke loose and we said, 'Right we're going by hook or by bloody crook'," Heeney said.

The great sausage sizzle was helped by three home games for the popular East Coast second division rugby team.

"It's amazing for all of us, not just the kids, but for us as teachers and supervisors of the team," Heeney said.

"Twelve of us have never been to Christchurch before and for four of the children it was their first time on a plane."

Gibbs arranged "the icing on the cake" when the 14-strong group were given a special invitation to the Silver Ferns' two-hour training session yesterday morning.

Heeney said being invited to the training was the catalyst behind the fundraising drive.

"The test was definitely a target, but coming to the training is the highlight," she said.

Staying in a motel was a new experience, too, she said. "We're used to staying on the pa."

Total costs for the trip were $5800, 40 per cent of which was raised by parents and teachers, the rest coming from the Lion Foundation and Ngati Porou Whanui Forests.

* Gritty Australian wing defence Peta Squire expects another classic in the series decider.

One of the five survivors in the present team from Australia's epic one-goal win in the 1999 world championship final against the Silver Ferns at the same WestpacTrust Stadium in Christchurch, Squire said elimination of errors would be the key tonight.

- NZPA