By JULIE ASH
Around this time last year Victoria Edward was contemplating a shift to the Middle East.
Having just missed out on a place in New Zealand's world championship team, the 27-year-old nurse had decided it was time for a change and had set her sights on the bright lights of
Dubai.
"It just looked like an amazing place to go, the weather, the climate and they have pretty good nursing packages over there," she said.
But 12 months later, instead of basking in Dubai's sub-tropical climate, Edward is back on court for the Diamonds in the National Bank Cup.
"It didn't really work out in terms of the timing," she said.
"But also I don't feel like I have quite done everything in netball."
Edward was one of the most consistent performers in last year's national league and was extremely unlucky to have missed out on a spot in the national side.
A Silver Fern throughout 2001-2003, Edward lost out to veteran Lesley Nicol in the wing defence position, Nicol possibly winning out because of her versatility.
"I guess when you have been in before you know what it is like and you want to get back there," said Edward who, like the rest of New Zealand, was glued to her TV during that epic world cup final last year.
"I was really excited for them. I knew as soon as they lined up on court they looked physically stronger and better than the Aussies so that was exciting ... I'd got over my disappointment by then."
While the black dress was instrumental in enticing Edward to stay in New Zealand, the inclusion of former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams in the Diamonds side also provided Edward with another reason to stay.
"Lining up alongside her is just a fantastic opportunity. She has just got such amazing experience and her knowledge of the game and how she reads play is fantastic.
"When I am playing wing defence it is awesome to have her on the line with me," said Edward.
However like most netball fans, Edward concedes Harby-Williams' presence took a little getting use to.
"It was a bit strange for a while," Edward said. "But now we are used to her Aussie accent and the big one-arm biffs."
With key midcourter Anna Rowberry sidelined with a broken arm, Edward has stepped into centre and taken over the captaincy role on court, a role she will share with Rowberry once she returns.
Their 48-40 loss to the Magic last weekend wasn't exactly the start the Diamonds were hoping for, but Edward is confident of a big improvement this weekend against the Flyers - especially on attack where so many passes went astray last week.
"Obviously we were gutted we lost especially since it was there for the taking. We made too many errors, really, and did it to ourselves a bit, which is frustrating.
"Our focus this week has been on the attacking end ... they are not major things, just circle rotation and things.
"I guess ultimately that is how you win games by getting goals in."
FOR THE RECORD
Name: Victoria Edward
Date of birth: February 3, 1977.
Birthplace: Lower Hutt.
Education: Palmerston North Girls High, Otago Polytechnic, University of Otago.
Lives: Auckland.
Occupation: Nurse.
Height: 1.77m
Positions: Wing defence, centre.
Test caps: 15.
Playing history:
2003/04 Auckland Diamonds.
2001/03 Silver Ferns.
2000/02 Waikato/BoP Magic.
1998/99 Otago Rebels.
National Bank Cup squads and draw
By JULIE ASH
Around this time last year Victoria Edward was contemplating a shift to the Middle East.
Having just missed out on a place in New Zealand's world championship team, the 27-year-old nurse had decided it was time for a change and had set her sights on the bright lights of
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