Karaka nets Test Cap on home soil
July 28, 2015
Phoenix Karaka continued her road to Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 (NWC2015) by earning her first Test Cap on home soil on Thursday night.
The 21 year old, who debuted in England in January 2014, relished the chance to take the court in the final quarter against the Fiji Pearls at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua, cementing a long held dream to play at home in the black dress.
“It was really exciting, just to be playing in front of New Zealand supporters,” she said.
“I had my aunty and uncle there, but for me it was just being able to showcase what I have. Because my first Test Matches were in England and Fiji, some people weren’t able to watch the games, so for them to be able to watch me live or on TV as a Silver Fern was amazing.”
Karaka was named in the Silver Ferns NWC2015 team earlier this month and is still coming to terms with her inclusion.
“It’s still a wee bit of a shock being in the World Cup team because I’m so young but it has been a lot of hard work getting here,” she said.
“In the Silver Ferns environment we train or play every day; it’s hard but you have to push through, and I’m getting as much sleep as I can!”
Phoenix and her Silver Ferns teammates are now looking ahead to the final Test of the New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy against South Africa’s SPAR Proteas as the road to the Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 continues on Tuesday night at The Trusts Arena, Auckland.
Want the inside word on the Silver Ferns, PLUS exclusive content, special offers and a members’-only e-newsletter? Join the team and become a SilverFan today!
The 21 year old, who debuted in England in January 2014, relished the chance to take the court in the final quarter against the Fiji Pearls at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua, cementing a long held dream to play at home in the black dress.
“It was really exciting, just to be playing in front of New Zealand supporters,” she said.
“I had my aunty and uncle there, but for me it was just being able to showcase what I have. Because my first Test Matches were in England and Fiji, some people weren’t able to watch the games, so for them to be able to watch me live or on TV as a Silver Fern was amazing.”
Karaka was named in the Silver Ferns NWC2015 team earlier this month and is still coming to terms with her inclusion.
“It’s still a wee bit of a shock being in the World Cup team because I’m so young but it has been a lot of hard work getting here,” she said.
“In the Silver Ferns environment we train or play every day; it’s hard but you have to push through, and I’m getting as much sleep as I can!”
Phoenix and her Silver Ferns teammates are now looking ahead to the final Test of the New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy against South Africa’s SPAR Proteas as the road to the Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 continues on Tuesday night at The Trusts Arena, Auckland.
Want the inside word on the Silver Ferns, PLUS exclusive content, special offers and a members’-only e-newsletter? Join the team and become a SilverFan today!