Grant enjoys her island in the sun

Katrina Grant kept her phone on flight mode for three days.

She was on holiday with her partner Joel Rore in Fiji and understandably she just wanted to relax.

She did not want to read the news or follow social media in the wake of the Silver Ferns’ Commonwealth Games failure.

‘‘We didn’t take it off for about three days and that was probably the best thing because I had no idea what was going on at home or anywhere. No social media, no media, nothing. It was nice to be completely out of all of that and Joel and I could just hang out and have some fun with some really nice weather,’’ Ferns captain Grant said after returning to New Zealand.

Grant described the Commonwealth Games as the ‘‘lowest of lows’’ after defeats to Malawi, England, Australia and Jamaica saw the Ferns miss out on a medal for the first time.

And the island getaway – where Rore proposed – allowed Grant to take her mind off netball, albeit temporarily.

‘‘You need a break and that was key in being able to come back and enjoy myself, starting yesterday.’’

Grant reported for Central Pulse training on Monday, and said the positive environment was just what she needed. The Commonwealth Games had taken its toll both physically and mentally.

‘‘Everyone is on such a buzz and it’s a really happy and fun team. I had a great time with them and I’m really excited to jump back on the court,’’ she said.

‘‘We’ve got such a young crew and they keep you on your toes, they always have some jokes going on, and it’s just refreshing because they love being there and it kind of makes you appreciate why you play and regather the love you had.’’

The 30-year-old admitted that the Silver Ferns’ legacy has taken as a result of their on-court performances but she said the ANZ Premiership provided the players with a chance to win back the public’s support.

‘‘I hope so. Everybody has said that netball has taken a hit and there’s some crazy articles about young kids being forced to play netball but we love netball for the game. No one I know has been forced to play, we play it because we love it and it’s been our national sport.

‘‘Us not doing so well, potentially people might want to play another sport but the ANZ Premiership is a chance to show people that we are really good at netball, we are competitive and we love getting out on the court and playing each other.

‘‘You are going to see a lot of young talent and I think that’s great in the sport because you’re seeing schoolkids [play] and other girls are going to see that and know they can make that step up as well. It’s a chance to get back to our roots and play netball for our region, which is where it all started.’’