Netball: Barrett-Chase taking next step with Magic

Liana Barrett-Chase

Liana Barrett-Chase's daughter Brooklyn may only be three - but ask her who her favourite netball player is and her instant reply is her mum's Magic teammate Irene van Dyk.

But in another year or two Brooklyn's hero could well be mum.

After three years with the Flyers, Barrett-Chase, just 22, is in her first season with the Magic.

She said the move came about because she was looking to develop her game - and what better way to do that than join a team full of past and present Silver Ferns.

A member of the New Zealand A squad and world championship- winning New Zealand under-21 side, Barrett-Chase and Rebels player Debbie White are probably the next midcourters in line for the black dress.

With Silver Ferns Temepara George and Anna Rowberry nearing the end of their careers, and the world championships in Fiji still a year away (meaning injuries and retirements are always a possibility), there's plenty to play for in this year's National Bank Cup.

"At the moment everyone keeps saying keep training, keep training," Barrett-Chase said.

"I am hoping a door opens."

Barrett-Chase was born in Taihape but moved to Palmerston North when she was eight. Growing up with five sisters, she said there was always someone to throw a ball around with.

Older sister Awhina played in the New Zealand under-21 netball side but had to give the game up after a persistent shin injury failed to heal.

A student at Palmerston North Girls High, Barrett-Chase was a member of the first team from the school to qualify for the national secondary championships.

They finished third that year, missed out on qualifying the next year - but returned the following year to finish sixth.

"During high school, I played goal attack but I had to be realistic ... Well that's what all my coaches said," she laughs.

"So I got shifted to the centre/wing attack."

But it isn't just netball where Barrett-Chase has made her mark, she is also a pretty handy touch player and last year played in the New Zealand open women's side in the All Nations tournament in Christchurch.

Unfortunately the touch and netball world championships clash next year, so she has decided to focus on netball for the time being.

Barrett-Chase looks back fondly on her stint with the Flyers - a team who have always struggled because so many players relocate to bigger centres for work or study.

High profile examples include Silver Ferns Adine Wilson, Jodi Te Huna, Jessica Tuki and former Fern Joline Henry, who all come from the Taranaki/Wanganui/Manawatu region.

"I enjoyed my time with the Flyers ... It was good development but I am really looking forward to taking that step forward."

It won't be easy.

With Amigene Metcalfe and Laura Langman, probably the first choice wing attack/centre combination for Magic, Barrett-Chase will have to earn her place on court.

She took a giant step last weekend in the Magic's game against the Sting. Barrett-Chase came on at centre for the last half and most crucial part of the game where she held her own against more experienced opponents Lesley Rumball and then Adine Wilson.

"I was scared going on. But once I got started I tried to relax," she said.

"I think for me at the moment it is getting to know the girls and how to feed Irene. Since she is so much taller, you have to put the ball up so much higher. I think that is the thing I am struggling with most at the moment because I have never played with someone that tall. It will take time.

" In a way it feels like coming from a different team. I have to start all over again and learn everyone's strengths and weaknesses and who I can push and who I can't."

Travelling to Hamilton from Palmerston North each week for training sessions, Barrett-Chase is doing some part-time teaching papers at Massey University.

She said apart from netball, study and her family, there was little time for much else.

As for whether Brooklyn has shown any interest in the game? "She loves it," Barrett-Chase said.

"She loves coming to the games, especially to see Irene."

Liana Barrett-Chase
Born: Taihape, October 31, 1984
Height: 1.67m
Positions: WA, C
Career history
2005/06: NZ A squad
2003/2005: New Zealand under-21 side, member of 2005 world championship winning team.

National Bank Cup history:
2006: Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Magic
2003-2005: Western Flyers.
Also: 2005: Member of New Zealand women's touch team.

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FIXTURES 

National Bank Cup, Round two:

Tomorrow: Southern Sting v Western Flyers, Invercargill; Capital Shakers v Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, Wellington, both 4pm.

Sunday: Canterbury Flames v Northern Force, Christchurch; Auckland/Waitakere Diamonds v Otago Rebels, Waitakere, both 1pm.