KEY POINTS:
The Northern Mystics have managed to snare Temepara George for another season but the star centre has ruled out a comeback to the international arena ... for now.
George has signed a statement of intent to play for the Mystics in next year's ANZ Championship. But any hopes
she would return to bolster the Silver Ferns depleted midcourt unit for the upcoming test series against England and Australia were quickly snuffed out when George reconfirmed her unavailability for the national side this year.
But George said she would definitely consider making herself available for the national side in the future.
"You can never say never, and the way I'm going and the way I'm feeling about netball at the moment the passion is off the scale," the 59-test veteran said.
The 32-year-old mother of two confirmed Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken had been in touch to sound her out about a possible return. But George said she was unable to commit to the demands of a hectic international season.
"Ruth and I have been in contact and the commitment that's needed for this year's tests with Australia and England doesn't fit in to my plans for this year, but maybe next year."
Having split her time between Australia and New Zealand over the past year, George also announced she will now be based in Auckland fulltime having taken up a new role as netball development officer for Counties Manukau.
George initially planned for this year's inaugural ANZ Championship season to be her last, but she said she relished the challenge of playing in a tough competitive league.
While the Auckland side finished a disappointing seventh this year, the Mystics performed strongly over the latter half of the season and George said she was eager to come back and have another crack.
"It's reignited the fire in my belly and I'm just oozing netball at the moment," she enthused.
"I just think [the National Bank Cup] was repetitive, we knew all the other players inside out and how each of the teams played. But now having those Aussie teams makes it a huge challenge - they're just so competitive and don't give an inch."
Mystics coach Yvonne Willering said securing George for another season is a strong starting platform from which she can build her squad around.
"She's obviously a quality player, she's probably the best midcourter in the world so it's neat to have her as part of the Mystics team next year."
