Netball: Pregnant Colling farewells Ferns after 91 matches

Belinda Colling always met a challenge, and nurtured younger players. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Leading up to the Commonwealth Games in March, the Silver Ferns put together a CD of songs. Each player had to contribute one that was significant to them and say why they chose it.

Belinda Colling chose Fred Dagg's You Don't Know How Lucky You Are.

Not because she hopes to live in Otago and felt some connection to Dagg - Colling chose the song because she wanted to emphasise to her teammates how lucky they were living in New Zealand and how proud they should feel to wear the Silver Fern.

Yesterday Colling, who has played 91 games for New Zealand, relinquished the Silver Fern, announcing she is pregnant with her second child. She has withdrawn from the squad and next month's series against Australia.

While Colling, 31, feels uneasy about using the word "retired", she feels she has played her last game for New Zealand.

"I feel done. I felt done after the Commonwealth Games, but Ruth [Aitken] encouraged me to stay on ... with Jodi [Te Huna] injured I thought, why not?

"I am sad to be finishing, but feel lucky to have been a part of this team for so long. The Silver Ferns have so much talent, not only on court but in their coaching staff and management. I have no doubt they will win the world championships next year."

Colling made her debut for the Silver Ferns in 1996 against South Africa. Forming solid partnerships with Donna Loffhagen and then Irene van Dyk, she has been instrumental in the Silver Ferns' success in recent years.

She was a member of the 2003 world championship-winning team and of this year's Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning side.

While she endured her fair share of criticism - mostly of her shooting - Colling's cool head and tactical mind have been key elements in the Silver Ferns' success.

Known for her no-nonsense attitude, Colling was never afraid to challenge those around her, but was extremely nurturing to younger members in the New Zealand side.

"There was never a dull moment coaching Belinda, that's for sure," coach Ruth Aitken said.

"She has a clever head and is not afraid to rattle cages. She has given so much to the Ferns, and we wish her all the best for this pregnancy."

Colling leaves a gaping hole in the New Zealand side 10 months out from the world championships. A replacement shooter for next month's series against Australia will be named on October 2 after the national provincial championships.

In contention are former Silver Fern Tania Dalton, Tanya Lund, who travelled to Australia with the Ferns as a training partner in July, and possibly up-and-coming players Jade Topia, Jamilah Gupwell, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Ricket and Anna Thompson. Donna Loffhagen has been ruled out as she is heading to Australia to take up a basketball contract in November,

With Te Huna still recovering from knee surgery, Colling's withdrawal puts pressure on the two remaining shooters, van Dyk and Maria Tutaia.

Tutaia has played only a handful of games for New Zealand but will now be expected to front against Australia.

Belinda Colling

* Born: September 12, 1975

* Height: 1.75

* Positions: GA, WA

* Nickname: Bill

* Career highlights

1996-2006: Silver Ferns squad

1995-2001: Tall Ferns squad.

2006: Sting

2001-2004: Canterbury Flames.

* The International Netball Federation has signed a deal with Sky Television to be host broadcaster for next year's world championships in Fiji. Sky and TVNZ will jointly hold the New Zealand rights. Sky will provide live coverage of 32 games. TVNZ will also screen the Silver Ferns' games live.