Latu gets chance to take on the world

When Kawakawa's Cathrine Latu heard the news she had made the Silver Ferns squad,
her first reaction was to head north this week to see her mum and dad.
"I haven't been home for ages but I have to see my parents now I have this news ... it's super exciting," she said.
Latu was heading north from her Auckland base to her parents' new home in Kerikeri yesterday  to celebrate the achievement with her family, after being named in the 17-strong national netball squad for the 2010-2011 international programme, including this year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the World Netball Champs in Singapore next July.
"It's a huge campaign and I will be doing all that I can to help, pushing the defenders around to prepare them for competition."
The Northern Mystics goal shoot is still waiting for eligibility to play for New Zealand, after she represented Samoa at the 2007 World Netball Champs.
There is a four year waiting period before players are able to represent another country, and while Latu, of Samoan, Tongan and Maori descent, has no regrets about playing for Samoa, her heart lies with her country of birth, New Zealand.
"Playing for Samoa did so much for me don't get me wrong, but even when I was playing for Samoa, at the back of my mind, I wanted to be playing in the black dress, for my country where I was brought up ... it has been what I have wanted to do for years," she said.
Latu and the rest of the Silver Ferns squad will take part in a selection camp in Auckland beginning July 26. From there a team of 12 will be named for the 2010 international programme, including the upcoming New World International Netball Series against Samoa, Jamaica and Australia, as well as October's Commonwealth Games in Delhi. At this stage Latu will not be named in the initial 12 as she is still unavailable to play for New Zealand.
"I am still unavailable to play ... but have been named in the wider squad in preparation for when I become eligible which could be turned over whenever [between now and the next World Championships]. But being part of the squad will help me - with the extra training - and I will be doing what I can to help the rest of the team with their campaign," she said. Along with Latu, the Silver Ferns squad have three further key additions to both ends of the
court. Former Silver Ferns, Daneka Wipiiti, Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett make a welcome return to the squad and Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said she was delighted with the depth of talent and experience named in the squad.