‘Sad’ Langman respects eligibility rules for Ferns
Silver Ferns’ standout Laura Langman is ‘‘sad’’ she won’t be able to play for New Zealand next year, but she didn’t lobby to change Netball New Zealand’s (NNZ) eligibility ruling, and felt it was a ‘‘relatively straightforward’’ decision to join the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Langman was on Tuesday confirmed in the new Lightning side for the Australian domestic league, where she will play under long-time former mentor Noeline Taurua - who was a massive attraction.
With NNZ insisting players must be based locally, with the new six-team domestic league starting here next year, it means Langman, 30, won’t be able to play for the Ferns in 2017.
After being granted an exemption to play for the New South Wales Swifts in the final edition of the trans-tasman competition this year, Langman said playing across the ditch for a second season was ‘‘a huge decision’’, with the eligibility factor the thing that ‘‘complicated it a little bit’’.
However, with no major international tournaments scheduled for next year, Langman felt this was the time to do it, with an eye to returning the following season in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2019 World Cup.
‘‘At the end of the day I want to be the best player I can be, and I feel that another challenging season over in Australia is the best ticket to do that,’’ said Langman, who enjoyed the better quality of players and more intense training schedules on the other side of the ditch.
Asked if she challenged the national governing body to relax the rule for her, Langman said no, because she respected the policy.
‘‘Although it makes me really sad, I understand it and I get it, so, no, I just respected it, I respect that they took everything into consideration when making that rule.’’
The Ferns’ vice captain is the second most capped New Zealand international, with 137 tests - eight Irene van Dyk - while she hasn’t missed a test since debuting in 2005. While she loves the black dress, Langman noted she had just one chance as an athlete to be the best that she could be.
‘‘I just really relish the challenge, and how refreshing my time at the Swifts was this year, I think it had probably been one of the best seasons I’d had,’’ Langman said.
‘‘One of the philosophies in the Ferns is ‘be the best player you can be’. And that’s one of our core values that I really embrace, and I do try and make my decisions with that in mind.
‘‘The players have been absolutely fantastic, and hugely supportive.
‘‘And understanding why people do things and the reasons, sometimes the end decision isn’t as big as it seems to be when you understand the thinking in behind it.’’
Langman will join a talented Sunshine Coast side, which includes Australian Caitlin Bassett and veteran English defender Geva Mentor.