Accomplished goal defence Leslie Purvis made her name playing Netball in Canterbury colours but has the distinction of becoming the first of a very select group of Silver Ferns to hail from the West Coast.

The tall defender was born in Greymouth, attended Gisborne Girls High during her secondary school years and headed back to the South Island and Canterbury University for her tertiary studies.

As was indicative of the 1948 series, she was one of several to play just the one Test with players mainly being selected on a regional basis.

A strong performer for Canterbury, Purvis was 1.78m tall, her height and all-round athletic skills making her an impressive defender.

She made her debut in the second Test of the series, in New Plymouth, as a 21-year-old.