Netball: Shooting for the glory

By JULIE ASH

When Brigette Tapene started her netball career way back in standard two at Cornwall Park Primary school, she was forced to play at wing defence.

It was the only position left.

However, the following year the quietly-spoken Tapene decided she had had enough of prancing around in the midcourt and set her sights on becoming a shooter.

"The shooters get all the glory," she said. "So I wanted to be one."

And she did.

Now, Tapene is getting more than her fair share of glory. The slight 18-year-old is regarded as one of the country's most promising up-and-coming shooters and is a key member in the Auckland Diamonds franchise.

"I love netball," she said. "I just love to shoot."

So much that she puts 200 shots up a day.

"I just want to learn a bit more control in the circle and I want to shoot 100 per cent."

Tapene's talent was recognised early on. She made the Auckland under-15s in the third form and has since been a regular in Auckland representative sides.

"I am loving it in the Diamonds. I spend a lot of time with [former Silver Fern] Leonie Leaver, who was in the team last year. She is really helpful and extremely supportive."

Tapene made the Diamonds for the first time last year, but spent most of the time on the bench.

The first year was understandably a little daunting for the then-Auckland Girls Grammar student, possibly because she was playing alongside Silver Fern Anna Rowberry and veteran Diamonds player Kiri Adams, both of whom worked at her school.

"Anna was my teacher for sports class and Kiri was the sports co-ordinator.

"I got teased about it because I kept calling them Miss Rowberry and Miss Adams on the court. They tried to get me to call them Anna and Kiri, but I just ended up calling them Miss."

Already a member of the national under-21 squad, Tapene, who was also a promising basketballer and upcoming hurdler and high jumper at school, has her sights set on a place in the Silver Ferns. Something her mother Sue achieved in 1978 - also as a shooter.

"She looks at the way I play and then helps me. She is very honest, which is good," Tapene said of her mother.

With two wins and a loss so far in the national league, Tapene and the Diamonds' next challenge comes tonight when they line up against defending champions the Southern Sting at home.

Many other players may feel a little daunted facing such a powerful unit, but not Tapene. "I can't wait," she said.

In other round four National Bank Cup games tonight, North Harbour's Force play the Western Flyers at the North Shore Events Centre, the Bay of Plenty/Waikato Magic meet the Counties Manukau Cometz in Rotorua, and the Capital Shakers clash with the Otago Rebels in Wellington. The Canterbury Flames have the bye.

INSIDE TRACK

* Name: Brigette Tapene.

* Born: February 6, 1985, Auckland.

* Height: 1.78m.

* Career: Studying business at AUT.

* Position: Goal attack, goal shoot.

* Career highlights: 2002/03 New Zealand under-21 squad. 2002/03: Auckland Diamonds