Netball: Colling keeps one eye on world champs

By JULIE ASH

This time last year, Belinda Colling was sporting a black eye. And it was a beauty.

The Silver Fern goal attack received an absolute shiner in last year's final of the national league where her Canterbury Flames side were edged out by the Southern Sting 54-48.

While netball fans around the country watched in horror as Colling's eye immediately turned black and swelled up to the point where it was almost shut, she played on.

"It was just a sore eye, she still had the other one," said Canterbury Flames coach Margaret Foster. "It wasn't like she had a broken leg or anything."

There was no way Colling was coming off.

"That is what is so great about Belinda. She puts others above herself. She is an amazing leader, has great skills and you couldn't find a player more determined.

"She had no intention of coming off in that game and I didn't even think about taking her off," said Foster.

Colling will need to draw on that kind of toughness when she lines up with the Silver Ferns in Jamaica for the world championships in July.

"I am expecting it to be harder than last time," Colling said. "I think our biggest hurdle will be that semifinal."

In "that" semifinal, New Zealand could find themselves up against hometown favourites Jamaica - or even defending champions Australia.

"Jamaica will be twice as hard in their home environment. Their crowds are very vocal, they stand up for the whole match. They sort of live on every ball. They are very supportive of their own team and not so supportive of everyone else."

Not that the Ferns aren't ready for the battle.

"I have a lot of confidence in the team we have got. Everyone is on the same wavelength and I think we can do it."

Born in Cromwell, Colling first made the Silver Ferns in 1996.

"I remember I was too scared to listen to the radio to see who was in the team. I just didn't want to hear, so I went to the movies for the day.

"I remember coming back to my flat in Dunedin which I shared with my brother and him coming down the hall and saying that I was in. I was feeling pretty proud I guess."

Colling's debut was against South Africa where she came on as wing attack.

"I remember I warmed up in every quarter for about three games," she laughed.

"My first game was in Palmerston North. Leigh Gibbs [the-then Silver Ferns coach] had warmed me up in every quarter but I never thought I was going on.

"So I was standing out the back talking to April Ieremia when Leigh told me I was going on. I was shocked."

Since then Colling has been a regular in the national side, apart from 2000, where she had knee surgery, and then represented New Zealand in basketball at the Sydney Olympics where they finished 11th.

She believes netball has become a lot more physical and the rulings "a little bit too pedantic".

"I think it needs to open up to allow that free-flowing game.

"The game is fast and physical and at the moment the players almost feel a little guilty for wanting to contest the ball.

"Australia have played that style for some time. I think when we get to that international level we are always a bit surprised at how physical Australia are. We are slowly getting up to playing at that level nationally, which will help us internationally."

After the world championships, Colling intends returning to basketball to push for a place in the team for the 2004 Olympics.

But netball's showpiece is first and foremost.

When asked how she thinks the likes of Jamaica, Australia and even England view the Silver Ferns, Colling hopes they are afraid, very afraid.

"They will know not a lot has changed in the core makeup of the team but I guess they won't know a lot about the new players like Jodi Te Huna, Anna Scarlett and Tania Dalton. So there is that little bit of the unknown as well."

Belinda Colling

* Born: Cromwell, September 12, 1975.

* Lives: Christchurch.

* Occupation: Works in management for Barnardos; team leader for Canterbury/ West Coast early childhood services.

* Position: Goal attack, Wing attack.

* Height: 1.78m.

* Test caps: 63.

* Career highlights:

1996/99, 2001/03 - Silver Fern.

1997/99 - Silver Ferns captain.

1996/00 - New Zealand women's basketball side.

1998/00 - Otago Rebels.

2001/03 - Canterbury Flames.