Woman’s Weekly New Zealand – July 29, 2019

20 New Zealand Woman’s Weekly

and training types – at
Joel’s encouragement she took
up CrossFit in a massive way –
and continued to work on
her fitness.
“Actually having a summer
was amazing,” she smiles. “I
spent a lot of time with different
groups of mates, ones that have
nothing to do with netball where
I could switch off from work. It
really made me understand that
enjoyment was key and that if I
wanted to keep going, I needed
to enjoy netball again.”
That’s exactly what she did,
captaining her beloved Pulse
team to an ANZ Premiership
title in June. She believes her
new philosophical approach
to balance definitely helped
her be a better athlete, as well
as a better leader.
“When I was at the Pulse, I

made sure I was 100% in it and

enjoying it. But as soon as I left

training, that was it. I’d get

home and I’d be non-netball

Katrina. Pulse was Pulse, and

out of Pulse was out of Pulse.

I enjoyed my season so much,

and my eyes had been opened

up to the fact that this job could

be taken away from me at any

stage. I knew I couldn’t take

anything for granted. I think

that was really important.”

And finally, after six months

of hard slog, came the call from

Ferns coach Noeline Taurua that

Katrina had been hoping for –

she had earned a re-call into

the World Cup squad.

“I just stood there,” Katrina

laughs, remembering the call.

“Oh, it was awesome; it was

the same, if not better, than

when I first made the team.”

And now, after overcoming

a calf strain that threatened

to derail her comeback – “Don’t

get me started on that!” she

says, eyes rolling – Katrina made

her mark in Liverpool at the

World Cup, both in her usual

goal keep and goal defence

positions, but also in a new

one, wing defence.

It’s a much improved Silver

Ferns outfit, nods Katrina, and

one that doesn’t shy away of

telling it like it is.

“We push each other to the

limits – we want the best for

each other, and we’re not afraid

to let each other know when

we want more,” she nods.

While she acknowledges she

couldn’t have done it without

her pals, Katrina admits she’s

also proud of herself, and just

happy to be representing her

country once again.

“I’m very fortunate and if I’ve

learnt anything, it’s that hard

work really does pay off. And

at least I’m never boring.” #

Kelly Bertrand

After spending a

summer with Joel

(below right), Katrina

found her form and led

the Pulse (right) to an

ANZ Championship win.