Rore looking forward to Pulse training on Monday
Katrina Rore was exhausted.
After a hectic 2019 season where she won everything there was to win; the ANZ Premiership, World Cup and Super Netball, the Central Pulse captain was ready for a break.
Along with Silver Ferns team-mate Laura Langman, Rore opted out of the Nations Cup at the beginning of the year. She felt the time away from the court would stand her in good stead as the Pulse looked to defend their Premiership title in 2020.
When she made that call, the 33-year-old had no idea Covid-19 pandemic would strike, forcing her to take another break from professional sport in just a few months’ time.
‘‘I definitely don’t regret taking that break in January as it refreshed me and allowed me to have a pre-season,’’ Rore said.
‘‘It had been a massive couple of years for me and I wanted to have a summer where I could just not have the pressure on myself over Christmas and New Year doing double training sessions.
‘‘I wanted my friends and family to be my focus for a little bit. I think it was needed for my mentally, so I was fresh heading into the ANZ Premiership and hopefully the Silver Ferns, but no one could foresee this happening at all.
‘‘The lockdown has been a break but it also hasn’t as you’re mentally still focused on what could happen and what if, so you have to stay up and stay training. It’s been a really weird time for your mind and body to figure out what it’s doing.’’
The Pulse played just one game, beating Mainland Tactix 53-41, before the Premiership
was shutdown on March 20.
But a move into alert level 2 will allow the competition to resume. The 10-week season will restart on June 19 and be played at one location, Auckland Netball Centre, in order to meet the Ministry of Health guidelines of providing a consistent and controlled venue.
Each game will be played behind closed doors and there will be strict hygiene protocols that the players must adhere to.
‘‘It will be a bit bizarre. We’re not used to it, especially in Wellington where we are very fortunate to have massive crowds and they sell-out most of the time,’’ she said.
‘‘I think the last time I played without a crowd was at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 when we played one or two without many people, but as soon as you start playing you just carry on and get it done.’’
Fitness testing awaits the Pulse players when they return to training on Monday but Rore is confident it will not take long for the team to get back up to speed.
She has spent her time in lockdown doing weight training at home and speed sessions at a nearby rugby field.
‘‘We’ve had quite a few pre-seasons now but I think four weeks should be plenty. We all just want to get back into it and start playing.
‘‘As long as you’ve maintained your fitness, that’s all you can ask for. Everyone has such different circumstances so as long as we’re coming in with good base levels there’s plenty of time for us to get ready to go.
‘‘Personally, there’s excitement to have something to get back to, a job to get back to and the fact we can train together I know we’re very fortunate. We’ve had our daily Zoom meetings, and we’ve been waiting for this day to come. Hopefully, we can get through the whole season, all three rounds, with no issues.’’