Netball: Colling fights for fitness

DUNEDIN - Silver Ferns netball captain Belinda Colling is back in training and still hopeful of playing Australia next month.

The shooter had knee surgery in Auckland early this month and has not played since the Otago Rebels beat Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on April 30.

Colling, aged 24, is working her way back to full fitness with a steady programme in the gym, on the exercycle and in the swimming pool.

She is also having regular sessions of physiotherapy in an attempt to be ready for the one-off test against the world champion Australians in Newcastle on June 20.

"It's doing okay and each day I'm able to push it a little bit more," Colling said yesterday.

"There's a little bit of pain now and then but I think it's fair to say my recovery is on track," she added.

She is still not sure how good her chances are of being named in the Silver Ferns squad on June 6.

"I just don't know if I'll be fit in time," the 38-test veteran said.

"My aim is certainly to be ready but all I can do is wait and see how the knee is looking."

However, Colling was clear that, "If it's not 100 per cent, I won't be playing."

Colling has said that basketball, in a year when the New Zealand women's team is set to make their debut at the Olympics, will take priority over netball.

She has a slim chance of being fit to play in a three-test series shaping up for the Tall Ferns against Slovakia on June 8, 9 and 10.

The final Olympic squad, to comprise 12 players, will be named after the series.

-NZPA