Netball: Import engineer's double career

By Sarah Nealon

British import Naomi Siddall is an engineer by day and a netballer by night.

Siddall has made the most of her stint in the southernmost city in the world.

When she is not playing goal keep for Invercargill's Coca Cola Cup side the Southern Sting - league semifinalists against the Northern Force on Friday night - she is furthering her career off the court.

The 24-year-old from Sheffield holds a masters degree in mechanical engineering and has worked for a local engineering firm since arriving in the deep south in March.

In England she works as an engineer in a steel works, and the company has given her eight months' leave to pursue netball in New Zealand. Siddall is one of four English players who made the pilgrimage to the Southern Hemisphere, but is the only one to make the semifinals. Amanda Newton and Olivia Murphy played for the Capital Shakers, while Helen Lonsdale was in the Waikato-BoP Magic.

Former Silver Fern captain Wai Taumaunu, who is now the national performance director for English netball, used her Kiwi connections to get the players into the competition.

Siddall reckons her time with the Sting has increased her chances of making the English side for this year's world championships in Christchurch.

The style of play in the Coca-Cola Cup was quite different to domestic competitions in her home country.

"There is a much higher standard, with a higher skill level in New Zealand," she said.

"At the moment I'm part of a squad of 16 for the English team, but that will get cut down to 12 and hopefully my experience playing for the Sting puts me in a strong position."

Siddall has also represented her country in the under-19 and under-21 sides.

The Sting, who were beaten by the Otago Rebels in last year's final, have lost only two games this season.

The team, starring Silver Fern defender Bernice Mene and double international Donna Loffhagen in the shooting circle, will have the home advantage in Friday night's semi against the Force.

After spending seven weeks away from Sheffield - her home city - Siddall is far from homesick. "I'm having too good a time at the moment," she said.

The 1.82m tall Englishwoman is also a keen rower and competed in the sport while studying at Cambridge University.

When the cup finishes on May 1, she will stay on and hopefully play for the English side in the Star Series.

In this competition three regional New Zealand teams - north, central and south - will clash with the English over a week in mid-May.