Netball: Rainbow lining to Silver Ferns

By JULIE ASH

It is hard to believe that in the last world championships, four of the present Silver Ferns were playing for other countries.

Of the four, the biggest name is Irene van Dyk, who was then turning out for South Africa.

However, there were also Sheryl Clarke in action for Samoa, Vilimaina Davu for Fiji and Leana du Plooy for South Africa - three of New Zealand's four present defenders.

"We were having a laugh about it the other day," du Plooy said. "We are New Zealand's multicultural defence."

Du Plooy came to New Zealand in 2001. "I was part of the world team who played New Zealand in 2000. I met Jude Fawcett [the former general manager of Southland netball] ... and I mentioned that it would be nice to play in New Zealand's national league."

A few months later du Plooy found herself in Southland's Southern Sting.

"It was quite a culture shock moving from South Africa to Invercargill," she said. "But I learned a lot from the New Zealand players, especially about the speed at which they play.

"I basically just kept the bench warm for the Sting, then I got a phone call from the Shakers and decided to relocate."

The move meant du Plooy was reacquainted with van Dyk.

"She is like my older sister. I always went around to her house for barbecues.

"It is always nice having someone around who knows where you come from."

And, like van Dyk, du Plooy has made New Zealand her home.

"I just don't see the point of going back. I love the lifestyle here and am looking at permanent residency."

Du Plooy also decided to join van Dyk and play for the Magic in this year's National Bank Cup. But, unlike van Dyk, who chose to stay in Wellington and travel to the Waikato for trainings, du Plooy decided to move north.

"I have lived in Invercargill, Wellington and now Hamilton. I quite like the farming environment here because I grew up on a farm.

"But it was really the opportunity to play with fast players such as Jenny-May Coffin. I wonder now if I would have come this far had I not moved."

Growing up in on a farm in Bethlehem in the Free State, du Plooy started playing netball when she was nine.

"That was the girls' game at primary school and because I was tall everyone thought I should be a netballer.

"I started off as goal shoot, but they moved me into defence when I was about 12. They decided I would be a better defender and someone else would be a better shooter."

As a youngster, du Plooy was also a keen hurdler.

"I really enjoyed the hurdles, but I guess I enjoyed being part of a team more. It is so much nicer playing and training with your buddies. I have thought about going back to athletics, but I really enjoy being part of a team."

She made the South African side in 1999 and played her first match against Jamaica.

"It was in Jamaica and it was a terrible experience. I think I was more nervous playing for South Africa [than New Zealand] because I was still a young girl and didn't know what to expect.

"It is a lot different playing for New Zealand than what it is playing for South Africa. In New Zealand the expectations are a lot higher."

Especially for this year's worlds, which start in Jamaica next week. "I am loving being part of the Silver Ferns, and the world champs are an experience not many people get in their lifetime."

Leana du Plooy:
Born: South Africa, July 9, 1977

Occupation: student

Height: 1.90m

Positions: Goal defence, goal keep

Career highlights:

2002/03 - Silver Fern

1999/00 - South Africa

2001 - Southern Sting

2002 - Capital Shakers

2003 - Waikato/BOP Magic