Sore ankle hinders Karaka’s trial week
Defender Phoenix Karaka is hoping a lingering ankle injury doesn’t stop her being selected in the Silver Ferns squad tomorrow.
The 23-year-old has been nursing a sore ankle for a while and it limited her involvement at last week’s Silver Ferns trial camp in Takanini, South Auckland.
Karaka along with skipper Katrina Grant, Jane Watson and Kelly Jury would have all been expected to make the cut, but it’s been frustrating for her that she hasn’t been able to get involved in the trials as much as the other players.
‘‘I had my first trial on Monday afternoon, because of my ankle injury,’’ Karaka said.
‘‘But it’s coming along nicely and it was nice to be back in the environment of Silver Ferns trials and being with the girls.
‘‘It’s about managing it,’’ she added.
‘‘There are a few things I’m able to do at the moment, so it’s about seeing what my other options are and I’ve managed the load getting through this camp.’’
Karaka had to miss the Quad Series earlier this year, also because of an ankle injury, while in December 2015 she missed out on the Silver Ferns for failing to meet conditioning requirements.
Karaka had nursed a toe injury for the previous six weeks and arrived at those trials having been confined to doing cardio work on an exercise bike.
Naturally, Karaka is hoping the same won’t happen again and she’ll be named as one of the 15 players for the Silver Ferns’ busy schedule over the next few months.
‘‘It has been quite scary not being involved in every trial,’’ Karaka said.
‘‘But I guess the little amount of time I’ve got, I’ve had to prove myself and give it my all.
‘‘I feel like I’ve done that, the legs have been a bit tired, but I pushed through.’’
Karaka, who is from Auckland, has made a big move in her netball career, deciding to sign with the Northern Mystics for 2018.
‘‘I’ve been away from home for five years. I’m pretty confident in myself and how much I’ve grown as a person,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ve obviously got my family here and my partner, so they were a big pull for me to come back home.
‘‘The actual possibility to be in the Mystics team was also something that was exciting for me and the competition at the defensive end.’’
But the battle will be fierce at the Mystics next year as Karaka will be battling with Anna Harrison, Storm Purvis and Michaela SokolichBeatson all competing for game time.
Mystics coach Helene Wilson didn’t make any promises to Karaka and said those who are performing the best will play the most.
‘‘She definitely said they (the positions) are up for grabs and there’s no solid person there every week,’’ Karaka said.
‘‘You have to be trying your hardest and proving that you should be starting.
‘‘That kind of competition within the team is something that really excited me towards being in that environment, that constant competition for a position.
‘‘She also gave me a heads up that there’s a possibility of me being a back up mid courter, so that’s exciting for me and it’s something I’m willing to work really hard on for the team.’’