NETBALL - Kawakawa-born Latu delighted she's clear to play in NZ

Kawakawa's Catherine Latu is thrilled to be back on the court for this year's ANZ Netball Championship, the Mystics shooter cleared to play after a citizenship wrangle had her facing a season-long stand-down.
"I suppose we're relieved its all finally sorted out, I had a feeling that it would be okay but I'm glad it's all over now," she said.
Latu was born and bred in Kawakawa but played for Samoa because of her heritage and because she thought it would be good experience before she had the opportunity to play for New Zealand.
The Mystics shooter was in a bind last week, when the International Federation of Netball (IFNA) declined an application to change her eligibility status as a Samoan player into a New Zealand player.
With the Mystics already having an overseas player, the 22-year-old's season in the Trans-Tasman Netball League (TTNL) was at risk but the Mystics applied for a "special dispensation" for Latu to play in this year's ANZ Championship.
TTNL general manager Anthony Everard said in granting the dispensation, it was acting in a consistent manner with the intent of the eligibility rules, which are in place to protect and enhance the pathway of New Zealanders towards playing for the Silver Ferns.
"There were a number of factors involved in this decision ... Catherine was born in New Zealand, she is a New Zealand citizen and has now indicated formally to Netball New Zealand her playing future rests in New Zealand only.
"While IFNA denied the change to Catherine's current eligibility status, she had provided an assurance to Netball New Zealand that she will stand down from all international competition for the IFNA-required period of four years in order that she may be considered for New Zealand selection in the future," he said.
Latu, for her part, said she had received some bad advice from more than one source about the possible outcomes of playing for Samoa and she thought it was fitting that the stand-down period was nearly half over.
"I last played for Samoa in the World Cup so I must be about halfway through the stand-down period by now," she said.
The shooter will now be left to prepare in peace for a start in next weekend's opening round. The team's other shooter, Englishwoman Pam Cookey, won't arrive in New Zealand until the Mystics' second-round match against the Central Pulse.
The Northern Mystics' first game of the season is against last year's runners-up, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, at 7pm next Saturday, at The Trusts Stadium, in Auckland.