Kara’s ‘slap in the face’

Being dumped from the Silver Ferns was ‘‘gut-wrenching’’ for veteran wing attack Grace Kara.

Not being selected for any of Netball New Zealand’s wider national squads was the most painful body blow.

Kara, who has played 63 tests since her debut in 2010, is searching for answers after one of the roughest weeks of her long career.

The 30-year-old was the biggest scapegoat from the Ferns’ 12-player squad that performed so miserably at April’s Commonwealth Games, where they finished fourth and failed to medal for the first time.

She was overlooked not only for the 17-strong 2018-19 Silver Ferns squad, but also the Silver Ferns development squad and New Zealand A team, possibly signalling the end of her international career.

‘‘I was really baffled. I thought personally I had a reasonably good season [with the Northern Stars] and I thought my performance at Commonwealth Games was probably one of the more consistent international series I’ve had,’’ she told Stuff.

‘‘It was definitely gut-wrenching knowing I hadn’t made any of the teams. It was a bit of a slap in the face, I suppose.

‘‘To be told I hadn’t made the Silver Ferns squad, let alone any of the squads at all, was confusing and disappointing at the same time.’’

Kara, who has fought her way back into the Ferns several times previously after being dropped, has vowed to do the same.

Ironically, she spent the weekend in

Samoa as a NNZ ambassador, helping run coaching clinics for their NetGo programme – a commitment she agreed to earlier.

She found out last Tuesday from NNZ head of high performance Keir Hansen and was surprised by the news.

Kara was informed she would receive feedback from selectors Gael Nagaiya, Ruth Aitken, Adrianne Hayes, and Jo Morrison, once the new Silver Ferns coach, who is expected to be Noeline Taurua, is confirmed.

Southern Steel wing attack Gina Crampton was recalled in the Ferns’ 2018-19 squad, while uncapped Northern Mystic Elisapeta Toeava was selected as her back-up in the position.

Kara seems to have also been overtaken by other young wing attacks, Whitney Souness (Central Pulse) and Erikana Pedersen (Mainland Tactix), who made the Ferns development squad.

When asked whether she had been singled out for the team’s disastrous performance at the Games, Kara disagreed.

‘‘I wouldn’t go that far to say I’ve been unfairly treated.

‘‘The only thing I can control is the netball I put out on court. At the end of the day, I know I can put my hand on my heart and I know I’m personally confident in my performance and proud and happy with the performances I’ve put out this season.’’

Kara credited husband Mark, her family and friends, and strong Christian faith, for helping her get through the disappointment of the last week.

She stressed she wasn’t resentful at NNZ, but eager to hear what issues the selectors had found in her game and what other wing attacks were doing better.