Netball: Hard work nets Seymour top job

By JULIE ASH

Looking at new Silver Ferns captain Julie Seymour, it is hard to believe her son Harrison was born just over a year ago.

The trim 30-year-old could easily win some sort of bodybuilding contest.

"I had no idea how long it would take me to get my fitness back. But I tried to maintain a fairly good level of fitness through my pregnancy," she said.

"Afterwards, I think I started running when Harrison was five weeks old. I slowly increased the intensity and got back into it."

After taking a break from international netball for most of last year for Harrison's birth, Seymour, who is married to former All Black Dallas Seymour, returned for the series against Australia in October when she made an immediate impact - although not as much as she would have liked.

"Even though I had trained really hard and played a lot of netball, I didn't really feel myself and Harrison was eight months old then. I kept training and it wasn't until November and December that I thought, 'Yip, I am back'.

"I am really looking forward to this year, knowing and having that confidence that I am back where I want to be."

Born in Wigan, Seymour moved to New Zealand when she was four.

She went to Ashgrove Primary School in Rangiora and then St Margaret's College before Canterbury University and Canterbury Teachers' College, where she trained as a secondary school teacher.

After representing both Canterbury and Wellington in the national provincial competition, she captained the New Zealand under-21 side before she made her debut for the Silver Ferns in 1994.

"When I first made the team it was in the days when they didn't tell you beforehand, so I was rung by the media at work. I was just stoked," she said.

Her first match was against Australia.

"In my first game there were four of us making our debuts - Belinda Charteris, Lesley Nicol, Noeline Taurua and I - and before the game we all said this could be our first and last game for New Zealand."

Seymour started in the centre position in her first game. The brilliant Sandra Edge was at wing attack.

"Sandra was one of my idols when I was growing up. Playing with her was just awesome."

But it is not only netball where Seymour's athletic ability has been noted.

She is also a top middle distance runner - she finished second in the national 800m championships in 1998 and 2000.

"When I made the New Zealand under-21 side they started to clash. Suddenly I was up against athletes that had completed a whole winter build-up.

"But athletics is very nerve-racking, I used to be so nervous before I competed. Netball is a bit more team orientated and I seem to warm more to that team environment."

As one of five mothers in the Silver Ferns side - Temepara Clark, Charteris, Irene van Dyk, Lorna Sufoa are also parents - Seymour said it is great to have so many other mums around.

"Sometimes you speak to other people and you worry that you are talking too much about your baby. But talking with other mothers, you don't mind so much."

And while she is enjoying motherhood, you get the feeling Seymour still has some unfinished business on the netball court.

First up is this month's tour to Jamaica before a series against Barbados and then the Commonwealth Games.

All of which lead up to the world championships in Jamaica next year.

"I have been to two world championships, the first time in Birmingham - a bronze medal, very disappointing experience; the second time in Christchurch - silver medal, bad experience. I'd love to win a gold medal."

The captaincy has been an added bonus. "I believe I have a strong work ethic both on and off the court and I am honoured to be given the opportunity of captaining such a talented team.

"Bernie (Mene) was an excellent captain, I loved being under her. I have been under a lot of captains in the past - you pick up things you enjoyed and things you haven't enjoyed and develop your own style."

So with his mum now the skipper of the Silver Ferns, it could be a while before little Harrison gets a brother or sister.

"I'd love to have more kids, but I am just not quite sure when," she said.