Netball: Surf has to go by the board

By JULIE ASH

After a winter spent racing around a netball court, there is nothing more Force wing attack Angelina Yates loves to do than hit the beach with her surfboard.

While she has no plans just yet to tackle the 3m-10m swells of Hawaii, the 23 year-old is content with trying to get the better of the heavy waves that rock Auckland's Piha beach.

"I quite enjoy being in the outdoors when you are playing in the gym all the time," she said.

"It is quite nice to get some sea water on you and surfing is quite fun."

None of her Force team-mates are really into surfing, apart from Silver Fern centre Temepara Clark, who has been known to have engaged in the odd bit of wave-catching.

"I haven't been out with her yet," Yates said. "But I'd imagine she'd be pretty good.

"It is really only over the summer break you get the opportunity to get out there because once netball kicks in, it is all over."

Born and bred in Kaitaia, Yates started playing netball when she was nine.

"I was a shooter but have been converted to a middie, like many have," she said.

"I've always loved shooting but I love the midcourt as well. I think you get to know how to feed well because you have been in there."

Like many other netballers, Yates is also pretty handy on the basketball court, having represented New Zealand in several age-group teams.

"Basketball has been on the backburner for a while now because netball just takes up so much time," she said.

"It is quite hard to fit everything in but I am trying to pick it up again maybe next year. I would like to get into the provincial stuff first and if there is an opportunity there, maybe I'll look at trialling for New Zealand, but netball is my priority."

After three years with the Otago Rebels during her university days, Yates joined the Force last year, a team laden with current and former Silver Ferns.

"It kind of lifts you. You think, 'Right, they have been at the top level, you have to get there as well'.

"But it is the kind of environment where you share as well, so you don't just sit back and listen all the time. They are interested in what you have to say as well, and that is what I like about it. It's very open."

A member of the New Zealand Academy squad, Yates has combined with Clark to form an impressive midcourt unit.

"I think it is good because she is one of those people who are determined as hell," Yates said of Clark.

"She will go for everything and she will push you as well."

The Force are fourth in the competition, with a win over the Shakers and a loss to the Canterbury Flames.

They could have beaten the Flames last weekend but were let down by their shooters, who converted just 48 shots from 70 attempts, compared with the Flames' 51 from 54.

"It is frustrating to lose but you can't blame it on one team member or anything like that ... It is a team effort, it is a team game."

Just the facts

Name: Angelina Yates.

Born: Kaitaia, December 25, 1980.

Height: 1.78m

Occupation: PE teacher at Mt Albert Grammar.

Position: Wing attack.

Career highlights

2004: New Zealand Academy squad.

2003/04: Force.

2000/02: Otago Rebels.

National Bank Cup squads and draw