Netball: Hands-on approach wins

By JULIE ASH

After a year living in Australia, Auckland Diamond Krystal Feterika-Opetaia was lucky to escape with her two-handed pass intact.

Famous for their one-handed biffs, the Australians tried their hardest to convert Feterika-Opetaia when she played premier netball in Melbourne during the sixth form.

"It was very different playing netball over there," she said.

Her family had moved there for a change of scenery and she wanted to continue her netball.

"It was fast and they were always trying to teach me how to throw with one hand," she laughs.

"I was trying but I always ended up converting back to the two-handed pass."

But although they may have failed in changing that aspect of her game, the Australians can probably lay some claim to Feterika-Opetaia's meteoric rise in the sport.

Since returning to Auckland, she has become one of the country's most promising young midcourters.

After cementing a spot in the Diamonds starting line-up alongside Silver Ferns Anna Rowberry and Victoria Edward, and former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams, Feterika-Opetaia was last week named in the New Zealand A side to play the Silver Ferns and Australia next month.

"I think she has come from being quite a quiet player to dominating on court, which is good to see," New Zealand A coach Alison Wieringa said. "She is good in the air and she drives well through the court, and has actually done some really nice feeding to her shooters."

Born in Auckland, Feterika-Opetaia started her career at St Josephs Primary School in Otahuhu.

"I began as a goal attack, then I moved up the other end to goal defence, then got pushed in to the mid-court," said Feterika-Opetaia, whose grandfather, Fred, and uncle, Ralph Opetaia, are respected in New Zealand boxing circles for their work with up-and-coming fighters.

She got "serious" about netball when she was selected for the Auckland Catholic girls under-17 side and then the Auckland under-19s.

"I also played basketball, but had to choose between the two when I made the Catholic girls under-17s. I still play a bit of basketball, but only socially."

Feterika-Opetaia has been a Diamond for the past two years, in which time she reckons her game has improved "immensely".

"I have learned heaps over the past two years from the likes of Anna Rowberry and Victoria Edward.

"Playing in the midcourt is still relatively new to me, so Annie and Vic and [coach] Joan Hodson have given me a lot of tips."

The Diamonds are fifth in the National Bank Cup competition and require big wins over the Shakers and the Flames in their last two games to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

"We were disappointed that we lost to the Force [last weekend] but overall we gelled together more than we have in other games ... so that was a positive to come out of it."

Now she has made the national A team, Feterika-Opetaia has her sights set on higher honours. "My main goal is to make the Silver Ferns, so I'll be around until I get there."


Krystal Feterika-Opetaia

Born: Auckland, November 24, 1983.

Occupation: WINZ case manager.

Height: 1.73m.

Positions: C, WD, WA.

Career highlights

2004: New Zealand A team.

2003/04: New Zealand Academy.

2003/04: Auckland Diamonds.

2000 and 2003: Auckland NPC team.

National Bank Cup squads and draw