Family the reason for Ekenasio staying
Ameliaranne Ekenasio feared her international netball career was over.
Despite representing the Silver Ferns at the Commonwealth Games, she struggled to cement a spot in the Central Pulse starting lineup upon her return.
Promising teenagers Aliyah Dunn and Tiana Metuarau had impressed in her absence during the pre-season and that was enough to convince coach Yvette Mccausland-durie that they should start when the season proper rolled around.
In the end, Ekenasio spent more time on the bench than she did on the court, seeing just 444 of a possible 960 minutes. And when it came to renewing her contract,
she wanted to make sure she had explored all of her options before committing to another season, especially as Dunn and Metuarau were already signed on for 2019.
Despite attracting interest from elsewhere, confirming multiple teams were keen to secure her services, Ekenasio has decided to put her family first. She will remain in Wellington for at least another year and has signed a one-year extension with the Pulse.
‘‘It was a really hard decision,’’ Ekenasio admitted. ‘‘It took us quite a while of honestly weighing up every single option that we had. I think we looked at them so many times.
‘‘But ultimately in the end family for me is a huge one of my core values. Looking at all of my options would mean moving away from my family. They would not have been able to move with me next year, and being a short season it is happening pretty soon.
‘‘I’m happier with my family around me so ultimately that will make me better on court and better at training. It was really a give or take, if I move what space would I be in? That was the decision in the end.’’
Ekenasio is busy preparing for the upcoming Quad Series with the Silver Ferns. She said it was a relief to be included by new coach Noeline Taurua, as she thought her long run on the Pulse bench might have jeopardised her chances of earning selection.
‘‘I was thinking I would never have the chance to be a Silver Fern again because I wasn’t getting on the court,’’ she said.
‘‘That was a massive mental battle for me, knowing I had gone to the Commonwealth Games and that I had been a Silver Fern for so many years. That was huge but I just had to practice to stay in a good head space and do what I needed to do. When I found out I had been named it felt like the first time. There was so much relief and it made all the hard work worthwhile.’’
Ekenasio’s retention means the Pulse will return eight of their 10 players for next season. The only changes see promoted Beko League players Maddy Gordon and Elle Temu replace Mila Reuelu-buchanan and Renee Savai’inaea.
Reuelu-buchanan has signed for the Northern Stars, while Savai’inaea is dropping back down to the second-tier competition while she undergoes a positional change.