Laura’s dream run continues

LAURA LANGMAN (left) and Temepara George in jubilant mood after the Silver Ferns’ gold medal winning performance in Melbourne . Herald Photo

By Colin Thorsen

Te Pahu energiser Laura Langman completed a remarkable treble inspiring the Silver Ferns to their first Commonwealth Games netball gold in Melbourne on Sunday night.

At only 19 years of age, Laura can now lay claim to being world champion, Commonwealth Games champion and, of course, she captained the New Zealand team to World Youth Netball Championship glory - all in the past 18 months.

It was pay back time for the Silver Ferns beating arch-rivals Australia 60-55 in the final after experiencing narrow losses to the same opponent at the two previous Commonwealth Games.

Laura said it was ‘just unbelievable’ being a Games gold medallist.

“It’s fantastic, this feeling will last forever.”

She was thrilled that her mum and dad were courtside to witness the team’s gold medal winning achievement.

“Dad’s always telling me to ‘hit hard and laugh last’. I’m not quite sure what he means but I’m sure it’s sound advice,” she quipped.

It was certainly a case of ‘he who laughs last, laughs longest’ - the Silver Ferns did plenty of that post match, while the Australian players and supporters were reduced to stunned silence.

Laura thanked her parents for making the trip to Melbourne, “they’re great,” she said.

Her mum and dad must have been exceptionally proud of their daughter as she belied her tender years by letting the ball go with all the confidence of a battle-hardened international.

Laura said it was a privilege and an honour to be part of the Silver Ferns.

“We’re one team, one spirit, which is what Dave Currie has installed into the entire New Zealand Commonwealth Games team.”

All but two of the 12-strong Silver Ferns squad have graced the netball courts at the Trust Waikato Te Awamutu Events Centre. It was, therefore, poignant that one of the banners spotted at the Games netball final read: “Go the Kiwis from Te Awamutu.”

Three of the team - Langman, Casey Williams and Irene Van Dyk - all play for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, who use the Events Centre as their training base.

The Silver Ferns will now have a week off to recover before joining their various franchises to prepare for the National Bank Cup. Five of the franchise teams - Magic, Force, Flyers, Shakers and Rebels - will be in action when Te Awamutu hosts the annual Waipa Weekend netball tournament at the Events Centre over Easter Weekend, April 7-9.