Back with her former team-mates, Ellie Bird is pleased to have answered an SOS to join the Trident Homes Tactix as a temporary injury replacement player. We find out how she is enjoying being back in the side, how her season in the UK was and what she eats before a big game.
What has it been like returning to the Tactix camp – did you ever think you’d be back in the ANZ Premiership?
I did have my heart set on retiring, I honestly felt like this chapter of my life was closed and I was enjoying life outside of netball. Though I wasn’t opposed to getting my 100th (national netball league match), so I said yes to the call up. It’s been really enjoyable being back in with the team and playing at this level – I’m loving it. It feels different to what it did in my last few years. I think with the girls everyone has grown as people and players and it really shows in their confidence and composure on court.
You played a season with Leeds Rhinos in the Netball Super League in the UK – how was the experience and what did you learn?
The lifestyle in England wasn’t really for me. As you can imagine it’s very different to New Zealand. Being a country girl at heart it was pretty full on! The netball was also very different, and with their competition not yet being as professional as the ANZ Premiership, there were a lot of long bus trips, right before and straight after games. I was working full time on top off all the training and playing. I was one of the more experienced players in the Rhinos team which meant I was in a leadership role which was an opportunity for growth. Learning from Liana Leota was good, she taught me new things about my game which I have integrated, and you can probably see a bit of that in the way I am playing now.
The Tactix have made their best ever start to the ANZ Premiership, what has been working so well for the team?
As I said above, I think the girls just have that next level of composure, another year older - another year wiser you could say. At no point in any of the games has it felt like we were going to let it slip away and everyone is feeling connected no matter what is happening. The team are also so fit, obviously having a really tough preseason is paying off!
What’s it like playing alongside Te Paea Selby-Rickit again and how long does it take to re-establish those shooter-to-shooter links?
Teeps is my favourite goal attack to play with from my career. We played together for so many years and know each other well so it has been easy playing together again. I think the link was back there pretty quickly, maybe not quite as seamless as it use to be but definitely won’t take long to get it back completely.
How do you overcome nerves/pressure on game day?
I’ve worked with sports psychologists throughout my career. I’ve done a lot of meditation to retain focus and be in the present moment. I hardly get the nerves anymore, and I know that any pressure that I feel is just pressure I’m putting on myself or pressure that I think others are putting on me. So I just choose to let go of that pressure. At the end of the day it is just a game.
What’s your favourite pre-game food?
I’m pretty easy when it comes to pre-match meals, I’ll eat anything. Though I do like to finish it off with a banana with some Nutella.
Who were your netball/sporting idols growing up and why?
If I’m honest we didn’t really watch much netball when I was growing up. But Irene van Dyk was one that I looked up to when the Ferns would visit Hawkes Bay, because I was tall like her and she’s a legend.
If you could change a netball rule, what would it be and why?
I can see why they have changed the short pass rule back to a longer distance, but I am going to miss the easy shooter to shooter gut ball to get closer to the post.
The Pulse are the only other unbeaten team in the Premiership – what are their strengths and what will it take to get the win over them?
They’re quite similar to Magic in that they’re a very niggly team – it’s going to be another grind it out kind of game. We just need to keep working hard to retain possession as we have been and using the variety of playing the short or long game when it’s on. I have full confidence in this team to achieve the win.
Is there any netball advice you’d like to give a young Ellie Bird starting out in the sport?
The past can’t be changed. Figure out the lesson and then move on. It’s a game – you play it because you enjoy it, so just have fun.
- The Trident Homes Tactix head to Palmerston North to play the Pulse on Sunday at 4pm, live on Sky Sport.
