Langman torn over Ferns
Silver Ferns midcourt great Laura Langman is torn over the toughest decision of her career.
The 141-test veteran is expected to decide next week whether she will stay with Australian domestic champions, the Sunshine Coast Lightning, or return to New Zealand, making herself eligible for the Silver Ferns next year.
Langman, who is barred from representing the Silver Ferns in 2017 because she signed for the Lightning, has been in email discussions with Netball New Zealand (NNZ).
On Friday, she will speak over the phone with national coach Janine Southby.
Time is ticking with the Lightning, who are coached by fellow Kiwi Noeline Taurua, needing to lock in their 10-player squad for next year by July 10.
Langman wouldn’t say which way she was leaning, but is believed to be split down the middle with her thinking.
It is understood there has already been strong interest from several New Zealand franchises, should the 31-year-old decide to play in next year’s national premiership.
Money doesn’t appear to be a motivator for Langman with New Zealand sides likely to be able to offer more than the Lightning.
The Lightning captured the inaugural Super Netball title on Saturday and Langman told FairfaxNZ she wanted to savour the moment with her team-mates this week before making any call on her future.
‘‘[Southby] and I are catching up later in the week,’’ she said.
‘‘I have had email correspondence from [NNZ] regarding their position. I think it’s probably about being open and clear with one another and then just letting the decision making process unfold from there.’’
A major drawcard is April’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, which would be Langman’s fourth tournament for the Silver Ferns, having won gold in 2006 and 2010.
Another burning desire is the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool, England. Langman has virtually achieved it all in netball, but a World Cup title remains elusive having finished second in the 2007, 2011 and 2015 editions.
‘‘Everything we do in netball is to be the best we can be and also there’s no better top honour than to represent your country. You’d be silly to say it wasn’t.’’
Both Australian and New Zealand domestic competitions will start after the Commonwealth Games next year.
Should Langman commit to the Silver Ferns, she won’t be eligible for the national side until January 1 because of her decision to sign in Australia this year.
She won’t be included on the Silver Ferns’ list of 28 triallists next Friday, even if she decides to return home for 2018.
NNZ’s board have been firm in their stance players must compete in the New Zealand competition to be eligible for the Silver Ferns and they remain unwavering with that ruling.
Despite being blocked from the Silver Ferns, Langman has remained classy and been diplomatic with her comments, refusing to criticise the national body.
‘‘They’ve got to look out for their best interests of netball in New Zealand and I was in a position as a player where I wanted to grow my game more and the opportunity was there for the taking for me. I understand and respect it immensely.’’
Playing in New Zealand and for the Silver Ferns next year is far from a given.
Langman, who played for the Sydney-based NSW Swifts in the final year of the trans-Tasman league in 2016, was one of the premier players in the new Australian competition this season.
She loved the Lightning environment and said playing some of the best netballers in the world each week had only sharpened her play.
Her attacking game had improved and she relished the chance to switch between one-onone and space marking on defence in Australia.
Langman’s team-mates at the Lightning included Australian Diamonds Caitlin Bassett and Stephanie Wood, English legend Geva Mentor and South African defender Karla Mostert.