GENIE’S TALL STORY
Fan favourite makes her mark and hopes to return
The world’s tallest netballer Tharjini Sivalingam is using her imposing 208cm figure and incredible shooting accuracy as irresistible forces to help St Albans edge closer to a GFL netball grand final.
ST Albans goal shooter Tharjini Sivalingam has never had any trouble standing out in a crowd.
Whether it is in her home town of Jaffna in the north of Sri Lanka or on the netball court for the Supersaints, the 37-year-old is generally always the centre of attention.
It is only natural when you consider she stands 208cm.
But sadly close attention invariably comes with a level of negativity from those who simply do not understand what it is like to feel different.
Sivalingam has copped more than her fair share of unwanted attention since she was a girl because of her height.
But she has overcome the taunts to forge a successful career with the Sri Lankan national team and this year has become a fan favourite in the GFNL, as well as for City West Falcons in the VNL.
Sivalingam said it had been an eye-opening experience travelling to Australia to play netball and that she had found people far more accepting here than back home.
“I don’t like my height, I am very sad (about it),” she said.
“In Sri Lanka when I was younger it was very hard as everybody would look at me and laugh. My parents were very stressed as my height was a big problem.
“In Australia people are telling me that they would love to be that tall. My height is more accepted in Australia. It is a weapon on the netball court and it allows our team to score very quickly.”
It is unquestioned that Sivalingam’s addition has helped turn St Albans fortunes around on the court in 2017.
The Supersaints won five games last season and finished ninth on the ladder, but thanks largely to the work of their star shooter — the tallest international netballer in the world — in the circle, they will face off with perennial finalists South Barwon on Saturday in a preliminary final.
Sivalingam clearly has an advantage over most defenders but the work she puts into her craft cannot not be overlooked — in Sri Lanka, when she missed a shot her coach would make her take 1000 practice shots as punishment.
She learnt very quickly not to miss.
But the down-to-earth goaler said it was the little things that people at St Albans had done for her since arriving at the club that made her treasure the five months she has spent there.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed playing with St Albans this year in the GFL,” she said.
“I am so very happy, I love the Australian people — their sense of humour and friendship is fantastic.
“The people of St Albans have been so welcoming and supportive, even sewing me extra-long pants to keep me warm in the Australian climate.
“I love playing under (former Australian player) Nicole Richardson and the management of president Megan Dean, who is a beautiful lady.
“The players have been very helpful and friendly, and I feel that I have improved my game in this very caring and supportive environment.
“Geelong has been amazing and I have even been able to find a size 17 ladies dress shoe to fit me at De Grandi Sport.”
The girl affectionately known as ‘Genie’ said it had been challenging playing in a more structured competition set up, something lacking in Sri Lanka, but added her strength and fitness had improved dra- matically as a result in only a short time.
Richardson, who is also an assistant coach at City West, has taken Sivalingam under her wing this year and they have formed a close bond.
The former Diamonds midcourt gun and 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medallist said while it might seem remarkable to some, her good friend had actually grown during her time down under.
“She has grown as a person, not just with her netball development, but her personality has really started to come out. She has come a long way with her game but I’ve seen just as much growth with her off the court as well,” Richardson said.
“She has been a great asset both for City West Falcons and for St Albans, and she has a great sense of humour. We’re hoping to get her back next year but she is still very keen to be part of the Sri Lankan team.
“From our point of view the best thing for Sri Lanka is for Genie to continue her development here in Australia but they’re very set in their ways, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Sivalingam will fly home two days after next week’s grand final and if she gets her way, she will be back — either to defend a premiership or hopefully go one step better.
“It will depend on my commitments with the Sri Lankan national team as we have our Asian Cup next year, which is the qualifiers for the world championships,” she said.
“But I would love the opportunity to play at St Albans and City West Falcons again.
“It would be too hard to bear not being with my favourite coaches and players. I would miss them so much.”
Of course if the Supersaints defeat South Barwon, the undefeated Newtown will be waiting in the grand final.
And while that might seem like mission impossible, it is a tall order that will be made that little bit easier thanks to the presence of Sivalingam.