Goal attack Belinda Colling has withdrawn from the Silver Ferns netball squad because she is expecting her second child.
Colling confirmed that due to her pregnancy, she had decided to withdraw from the three-test series against Australia in October, Netball New Zealand said in a statement today.
"This is fantastic news for Belinda and her partner Charlie," coach Ruth Aitken said.
"Belinda has given so much to the Ferns and we wish her all the best for this pregnancy."
Colling, due to give birth in March, said she was excited to be pregnant again but would really miss being part of the team in the upcoming events.
" It's been an incredible journey being part of the Silver Ferns and I would never have dreamed of all the experiences that have come with the sport.
"Max (her 16-month-old son) has added such an incredible element to our lives and we are really excited about our new addition to the family."
National selectors will name a replacement shooter on October 2, after the end of the national championships which begin on September 25.
Colling, 31, who debuted for the Silver Ferns in 1996 against South Africa, has 91 caps.
She took a break from international netball when she went to Britain with partner, Charlie Hore, who had a rugby contract in Scotland, and announced in November 2004 she was expecting her first child.
She returned to Silver Ferns action in October last year, in the series against Australia and was part of the gold-medal winning team in Melbourne in March.
- NZPA
Netball: Colling withdraws from Silver Ferns
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