It almost reads like a Cinderella story. But in Tanya Lund's tale the happy ending doesn't involve a glass slipper or handsome prince.
Instead, there's a yellow netball bib with the letters GA printed across it. Dumped from the Hunter Jaegers last season, where she had spent two years warming
the bench - or as she puts it, acting as "the official water girl", - Sydney-born Lund moved to New Zealand in January hoping to save her netball career. Six months later the move appears to have paid off. Lund is now the starting goal attack for competition leaders the Magic and such has been her impact on this side of the Tasman that her name is being touted for higher honours. The water girl has come good.
Despite growing up in Australia, Lund's roots are firmly entrenched in New Zealand. Her dad grew up in Tokoroa and her mum in Te Puke. They got married in New Zealand but moved to Australia soon after. "Maybe 25 or 30 years ago," Lund guesses. They still live in Australia, although her mum surprised her this week by popping over for a visit.
Lund lives with an aunt and uncle in Mt Maunganui, a few blocks away from her grandparents. A PE teacher, she finished her qualifications in New Zealand, saying the shift here had been "in the woodwork" for a while. "I just thought, why not? I've got nothing holding me back. I'll give it ago."
As a kid, Lund played everything she could before settling on netball. She was a national swimming rep until the age of 15, specialising in freestyle and backstroke. She was also pretty handy at softball and volleyball. "I was going really well at softball but in the end I had to choose. I chose netball just because I enjoyed it more."
At Kambora Public School she started off as a centre but, because of her height, she was nudged into shooting. The first representative team she made was for Manly-Warringah under 11s. Her most recent was the Australian under-19 side in 2002. "If I had stayed in Australia, I wasn't going to be playing. It was time to decide whether to keep pursuing it, or to travel, do all that kind of stuff."
Once she had made the decision to come to New Zealand, she approached the Magic and asked if she could trial. Not familiar with the side, Lund was taken aback when she turned up to her first training session and spotted Silver Ferns Irene van Dyk, Casey Williams and Laura Langman.
"I had no idea. I got really excited - 'Oh my god, Irene van Dyk knows who I am, she knows my name'. I was hopeful but there were girls there who were equally as good."
She made the team but admits fitting in took some adjusting. "I was having a bit of trouble with the style - getting the timing right, getting to know the girls' body language. It didn't take too long, probably only a few training sessions and a good talking to."
While some would argue anyone would look good playing alongside van Dyk, what makes Lund stand out is her willingness to put shots up from anywhere as opposed to constantly offloading to the shooter. "If no one is going to defend me then I am just going to put it up," she said.
Lund has recently become a citizen and, with New Zealand a little wanting in the shooting positions, she said turning out for a New Zealand team - the A team or Silver Ferns - would be an honour. "I think it is a bit early but if it is meant to be then it is meant to be."
And how would she feel about playing for New Zealand if selected?
"It is my heritage. I am not going to brush away where I am from but I am not going to brush away where my family are from either."
TANYA LUND
born: Sydney, March 1, 1983
Height: 1.78m.
Positions: GA, GS
Career highlights:
2006: Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
2004-05: Hunter Jaegars - Commonwealth Bank Trophy side.
2002: Australian under-19 side.
WEEKEND FIXTURES NATIONAL BANK CUP - RD 6
* Tonight
Western Flyers v Canterbury Flames,
at Napier, 7.30pm.
* Tomorrow
Auckland Diamonds v Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic,
at Auckland, 4pm, live TV One.
* Sunday
Capital Shakers v Southern Sting, at Wellington
Northern Force v Otago Rebels, at North Shore, live on TV One.
Both games 1pm.
It almost reads like a Cinderella story. But in Tanya Lund's tale the happy ending doesn't involve a glass slipper or handsome prince.
Instead, there's a yellow netball bib with the letters GA printed across it. Dumped from the Hunter Jaegers last season, where she had spent two years warming
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.