Netball: Silver Ferns get ready to go back-to-back

From left, Joline Henry, Laura Langman and Leana de Bruin reveal the Ferns' uniform for the netball world championship. Photo / Dean Purcell

The Silver Ferns' bid to win back-to-back gold medals has begun.

The Ferns world championship team were officially farewelled at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae at the Unitec campus in Auckland yesterday, as they chase a unique piece of netballing history in Singapore.

The target began with last year's double extra-time Commonwealth Games victory over Australia. It's a goal the Ferns have spoken about since 2009.

"The story is only half complete. G2 is the goal - back-to-back golds," said Netball New Zealand chief executive Raelene Castle at yesterday's ceremony, which was attended by several dignitaries, including Dr Pita Sharples.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said the heartfelt and moving send-off will form a special memory and milestone on their path to the world championships.

"To come here and the peace and the positivity that surrounds us is fantastic, we're really excited," said Aitken.

The Silver Ferns also unveiled their new-look match uniform for next month's tournament.

Commissioned exclusively for the team's 2011 world championship campaign, the dress features a unique Maori design at the bottom, in place of the silver fern on their regular dress.

The mango pare or hammerhead shark pattern was designed by Whakatane artist Rangi Kipa, who worked closely with the team to create a design that reflected their values and beliefs.

"I think it's brilliant, I wish I was young enough to wear it," Aitken joked.

"I think it really reflects [the team's] input - it's wonderful.

"It's the idea of really being brave and bold - what you have to do to win a world championship."

The Silver Ferns have never had a one-off design uniform for a world championship but Castle believed it was important they have a "special black dress" to reflect the status of the world tournament.

Castle said the design embodied characteristics the public would want in the Silver Ferns - "strength, tenacity, perseverance, stealth, keen senses and cunning with a bit of mongrel to boot".

Ferns supershooter Irene van Dyk, who will be attending her fifth world championships in Singapore, said long after she hangs up her netball bib - and she maintains that could still be some time off - the dress will have significant meaning to her.

"The fact that only the 12 who are going to Singapore will have this dress just makes it that extra bit special," said van Dyk, who turned 39 on Tuesday.

After a three-day camp in Auckland, the players returned home last night to spend a few days with their family, before they fly out to Singapore on Monday.

Van Dyk said yesterday's rousing send-off has heightened her anticipation of the big event.

"It's still two weeks away but my heart is already pounding," she said.