Netball: Te Huna ready for a hot debut

By JULIE ASH

Jodi Te Huna has been given plenty of advice from her Silver Fern team-mates ahead of the world championships, which start in Jamaica today.

Many of the present squad travelled to Jamaica in March last year and have had plenty of words of wisdom for the young Te Huna.

"Be prepared for the unexpected, the heat and the crowds," Te Huna has been warned.

"Especially the crowds, because they are so passionate about their team and their country, and they are loud, really, really loud."

But it's the louder the better as far as Te Huna is concerned as she awaits her Silver Ferns debut.

The 22-year-old was named in the New Zealand team in April, but missed out on getting on court in the series against England - which means her big moment could come on Sunday if selected for a match against a qualifier.

"It was disappointing not to get on the court against England," Te Huna said.

"But in saying that, I learnt a lot. Ruth also said that debuts for the Silver Ferns should be memorable ones.

"So I am going to take my opportunities in Jamaica and if I get on court it will be special because it will be in Jamaica and I will always remember it."

Having now been a Silver Fern for just over two months, Te Huna admits it has been a steep but enjoyable learning curve.

"It was a step-up from the New Zealand A and under-21s. Just being that bit more professional, getting used to the intensity and everyday life as a Silver Fern.

"The expectations also increase. As a Silver Fern you are expected to be consistent and be on top of your game."

Growing up in Wanganui, Te Huna started her netball career a little later than most after basketball initially took her fancy.

"I started playing netball when I was 13," Te Huna said.

"I eventually had to decide between playing netball and basketball, so because I was having a lot of fun playing netball - and I knew you really had to go overseas to make it in basketball - I chose netball."

A move to Wellington in her mid-teens proved instrumental. She made the Capital Shakers when she was 16 and, in the five years she played in the team, she was at various times under the coaching guidance of former Silver Ferns coach Lois Muir, Noeline Taurua, Tanya Dearns and Waimarama Taumaunu.

"I have been really lucky," Te Huna said. "I have learned so much from all those people."

After a lengthy stint with the Shakers, Te Huna decided to try her luck elsewhere and late last year took up an offer to play for the Canterbury Flames.

"I thought a change of environment would be good, and it has been.

"My ethics really changed this year. I increased my fitness, which meant I could enjoy the game instead of worrying about whether I was going to make it through or not."

Chances are if Te Huna had not made the move, she would still be a Silver Fern in the waiting.

"A lot of people have asked me whether I think I would have made the Ferns if I had stayed with the Shakers. I don't know. It was never tried and tested, but the move to Canterbury meant I got to play alongside the likes of Belinda Colling and Vilimaina Davu which really helped my game."

It will be the likes of Colling and Davu who Te Huna will be turning to for advice during the next 10 days as the Silver Ferns strive for the title of world champions.

"It will take a lot of hard work and consistency to win," she said.

"We have been preparing for the unexpected and the things that we know are going to happen. We'll just have to wait and see whether that preparation is going to pay off."

Jodi Te Huna

Age: 22.

Born: Wanganui, May 6, 1981.

Occupation: Teachers' College student.

Height: 1.87m (6ft 1 1/2in).

Positions: Goal shoot, goal attack.

Player history:

2000, World youth champs

1998-2002, Capital Shakers

2003, Canterbury Flames.