Netball: Bonus icing if Ferns depose Australians

By Suzanne McFadden

The Silver Ferns will pocket a "not insignificant" bonus if they carry on their winning ways over world netball champions Australia this season.

The New Zealanders took a soaring leap towards the special payment when they reversed a five-year drought on Saturday night, crushing the Australians 60-48 in a one-off test in Christchurch.

Netball New Zealand chief executive Alastair Snell said yesterday that there would be no extra prize for the Fisher and Paykel Cup win - New Zealand's second-largest winning margin in the history of transtasman clashes.

"The win bonus will be very much centred on the world championships. That's where what we're gearing towards this season," he said.

"Last night was a contributing step to making it a reality."

This is the first season that the Silver Ferns have been recognised as professionals. But their payments are still relatively minor - enough to cover loss of earnings when they are on tour.

Snell could not say how much the bonus would be for a world championship victory in September.

"We haven't decided that. But it would not be an insignificant amount," he said.

No one wants the Ferns to get cocky from their 12-goal victory so early in New Zealand netball's biggest year.

The players have still to meet England and South Africa before they return to Christchurch for an almost-certain rematch with Australia at the world champs.

The Silver Ferns were not letting the win go to their heads yesterday.

When asked if they would now assume the No 1 spot, captain Belinda Colling said a vehement "No".

"We're not there by a long shot. Not until we've won the world championships would we say that.

"When I said I wished that we will win the world champs by the same score, someone said `No, we want to win by double that.'"