Shooting for the Top: The Irene van Dyk Story

By RUSSELL GRAY

Although Irene van Dyk was born and bred in South Africa, she has quickly become one of New Zealand's favourite sporting personalities since she and her family settled in Wellington in 2000.

In the words of April Bruce, this charismatic netballer is "gifted with magnificent height, incredible athleticism and uncanny accuracy" and is "one of the best shooters in the world, if not the best".

Last year HarperCollins published a biography of Irene called Changing Colours, written by Wellington sports journalist Russell Gray. Not surprisingly, the book was a best seller. It quickly became obvious that there were many young netballers who were also keen to read about their favourite netballer so Whitcoulls persuaded the publishers to have the book adapted for younger readers.

Shooting for the Top is that updated version of Changing Colours written especially for readers aged 10 and up. While the adult version concentrates on Irene's adult years, Shooting for the Top focuses on Irene's childhood and school years, when to be an international netballer was only a dream. It also takes Irene's story right up to the Silver Ferns' defeat by the Australians at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

While Irene is utterly gracious in defeat, it is wonderful to know that after the heartbreak at Manchester, Irene and the Silver Ferns have gone on to beat the Australians at this year's world championships in Jamaica.

In the last chapter of the book, Irene shares her personal philosophy with her young readers. She tells them that "while body shape and different talents have a role in what sport we play, there are other ingredients needed for success".

While young fans of Irene van Dyk are clearly the target audience for Shooting for the Top, this breezy, up-beat biography will appeal to any child who dreams of having a career in sport. Irene van Dyk is clearly an excellent role model for all young New Zealanders.

HarperCollins

$16.99

Age: 10-plus