Netball: Circle my name, says Senio

Anna Senio

Ask Anna Senio what she would like to see in a crystal ball and there's no hesitation - the Magic goal attack has her heart set on a black bib.

Four weeks into the National Bank Cup, Senio is making all the right moves. She and Irene van Dyk form one of the strongest, if not the strongest, shooting combinations in the competition.

Senio has always been an active goal attack but this year she has lifted her workload and has taken a lot of pressure off van Dyk by being more available for the ball and putting up more shots.

It's no secret the Silver Ferns are a little wanting in the shooting circle but competition for a place is always tough, especially in a New Zealand team who have their sights set on gold at next year's Commonwealth Games.

Senio's main opposition at goal attack is likely to be incumbent Jodi Te Huna, Otago's Angela Mitchell and young Auckland Waitakere Diamond Maria Tutaia.

In her favour, Senio has her on-court relationship with van Dyk and her international experience - she played for Samoa at the last world championships.

"I definitely want to make the Ferns and this year it is really important that I go out there and play quality and consistent netball," she says.

"I know to make that [2007] world championship team you really need to make the Commonwealth Games team ... I know that there is a gap and the pressure is on. All the shooters in New Zealand are fighting for spots."

Although she is the talk of the netball town at the moment, Senio's career hasn't always run so smoothly.

Her National Bank Cup career started off with North Harbour's Force, where she was granted little court time. She then moved to the Diamonds for the 2003 season, which wasn't a rip-roaring success as the side struggled with consistency, especially in the shooting circle.

It has been at the Magic and alongside van Dyk where Senio seems to have found her niche. Some would probably say it's easy for a goal attack to look good playing alongside the world's best goal shoot, but Senio has taken on more of the workload in the shooting circle, contributing to the Magic's clean record after three rounds.

"Most sides double-team Irene so I want to get in there and put in as many shots as I can," she says.

It is probably somewhat of an anxious time for Senio - the one round competition allows little time to impress selectors - but one person who entirely understands is her husband, Chiefs halfback Kevin.

"If you are tired from your training sessions and if things aren't going right in your team then he totally understands."

Kevin, Anna and their three-year-old daughter Grace live in Hamilton but will move back to Mt Maunganui this year where Kevin will see out his contract with the Steamers and Anna will represent the Bay of Plenty in the National Provincial Championships.

But for now Anna's focus is on the Magic.

"It is our goal to finish in the top two," Senio says. "We have three from three which is great but there are always different areas of the court we can improve on."

Round Four

Today: Capital Shakers v Northern Force, Wellington 7.30pm (replay on TVOne, 4pm tomorrow)

Tomorrow: Canterbury Flames v Western Flyers, Christchurch 7.30pm

Sunday: Auckland Waitakere Diamonds v Southern Sting, Auckland 1pm (live on TVOne), Otago Rebels v Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, Dunedin 1pm

Anna Senio

Born: Auckland December 13, 1980
Height: 1.75m
Positions: GA, GS

Career highlights

2005: New Zealand A squad
2003: Played for Samoa in the world championships.
2004-05: Magic; 2003: Diamonds; 2000-01: Force