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Lockdown life to possible Ferns debut

Silver Ferns debutante could go from not shooting a goal since the premiership grand final to the red-hot atmosphere of international netball this week, writes Brendon Egan.

GRACE Nweke faces the daunting prospect of going straight from five weeks in Auckland lockdown to a possible Silver Ferns debut against England.

The 19-year-old shooting sensation could be set for one of the more unique debuts in New Zealand sports history after being granted an exemption on Thursday to travel to Christchurch for the series.

New captain Gina Crampton, vice-captain Sulu Fitzpatrick and one-test midcourter Peta Toeava were the other Auckland-based players given Government clearance to travel.

The Ferns open their three-test Taini Jamison Trophy series against England tomorrow night with all three games at Christchurch Arena to minimise additional travel risk.

Talk about a baptism of fire for Nweke. She will go from being in level 4 lockdown since August 18 and training on her own to a potential debut against an experienced English defensive end, including 146-test veteran Geva Mentor.

Nweke, who was so impressive for the title-winning Mystics this season, last put up a shot in the ANZ Premiership grand final against the Tactix on August 8, with courts off limits in

Auckland.

Days after the grand final, she moved to a new flat, leaving her with minimal training equipment to get through lockdown and no netball hoop.

She had made do with resistance bands, suspension trainers, a yoga mat and some dumb-bells at her flat.

Nweke had tried to maintain her fitness running around Cornwall Park, nearby roads, and even using her driveway for shuttle runs to try and replicate the surface of a court.

All this while learning remotely at Auckland University, where is studying a Bachelor of Commerce, working towards a double major in information systems and marketing.

‘‘It’s definitely been challenging. Obviously being in level 4 it’s not an ideal situation going into an international series. Our trainer has set us up with athome programmes we can do with limited gym equipment – some key court conditioning sessions. It’s hard not having courts open or available.’’

A Silver Ferns debut would complete a rapid rise for Nweke, who had a brilliant premiership season for the Mystics. She racked up a competition-best 852 goals from 951 attempts at 90 per cent, scoring 50 or more goals in 12 of their 16 games.

Nweke is in just her second full season of elite netball, having been upgraded to a full Mystics contract midway through the 2019 season while still a Year 13 student at Avondale College.

At her first age-group netball tournament in 2015, Nweke revealed in an Instagram post she cried after games, considered herself the weakest link, and battled with self-belief.

‘‘I think that girl would be so proud of me right now.

‘‘It has been a long journey.

I’ve been so supported by some really amazing coaches and really great netball programmes that have helped me on the court develop my game, as well as off the court.

‘‘I think I’ve made a shift, just in how I think and who I am as a person in my confidence, to be able to lead in a netball environment and speak up.’’

Nweke’s Silver Ferns selection came after a stellar premiership season, but also major shifts with her strength and conditioning.

She was one of five players sent home from a national training camp in Wellington in January for not meeting yo-yo conditioning test requirements, which Nweke said was a wakeup call. That painful feeling had only fuelled her desire and she never wanted to experience it again.

‘‘I remember being at home and watching the Constellation Cup games [in March when the Silver Ferns triumphed against Australia].

‘‘I was so excited for the girls and so proud of the way they were playing, but I just knew I was capable of being there and it was a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out), just wanting to be there and wanting to prove myself.’’

The Mystics adopted tougher strength and conditioning targets this season, similar to those used by the Silver Ferns, which had been integral to their success. Nweke was the fittest she had been in her young career and said she had made major strides.

A Silver Ferns debut would be bittersweet for Nweke.

Father Fortune, mother Chidinma, twin brother Agape, and her four other siblings cannot be in the stands at Christchurch Arena because of alert level travel restrictions.

Her parents left their Nigerian homeland for South Korea before moving to New Zealand after seeing pictures in the newspaper and thinking it would be a perfect place to raise a family.

Nweke was born in Auckland, but said her Nigerian heritage meant everything to her.

This week brought up the 20th anniversary of their move to New Zealand and the Nweke family held a Zoom call to reflect on their memories.

‘‘It’s such a story to be told about our journey and their journey and being Nigerians in New Zealand . . .

‘‘And our experiences and being able to represent Nigeria and my culture, as well as my identity as a New Zealander and a Kiwi.

‘‘To do that for them and with pride knowing what it means to have my surname on my dress I’m sure they’re really excited.

‘‘My dad isn’t really a crier. My mum is more of a screamer and she’ll be probably yelling at the TV the whole time.’’

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2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

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