Basketball: Ferns pair released for China series

DUNEDIN - Silver Ferns captain Belinda Colling will miss the first two matches of the Otago Rebels' national league netball season.

The 23-year-old goal attack and Southern Sting shooter Donna Loffhagen have been released from their netball commitments to play for the New Zealand women's basketball team in the home test series against China.

Colling will miss Otago's double-header in Auckland against the Cometz and the Diamonds on March 19 and 21.

Recently returned from the Ferns' 1-0 series win in Jamaica, where she played a starring role in the second-test victory, Colling wants to find a balance between the two sports at which she excels.

"Obviously it's a huge year for netball with the world champs in September, but next year is going to be just as big for basketball," she said.

"I want to try to keep in touch with basketball ahead of the Sydney Olympics as much as possible, and only miss the minimum of netball games.

"I'll make it up to Georgie later," she laughed, referring to Otago coach Georgie Salter, who will have to do without one of her star players for the opening weekend.

Colling's 1999 timetable is packed to overflowing, taking her from defending the Coca-Cola Cup with the Rebels, to the new Star series involving three regional New Zealand teams and England, to leading the Ferns in their quest to wrestle the world title from Australia.
- NZPA