Netball fans did a double take when former Silver Fern Ellen Halpenny kitted up for the Southern Steel last night.
Stars Ellen Halpenny in action. Northern Stars v Northern Mystics, ANZ Premiership, Pulman Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. 28 April 2019. Photo: Photosport
The new police officer, who retired from netball last year, was called into the Steel shooting circle as injury cover and made an impact in their morale boosting 41-40 win over the Waitako Bay of Plenty Magic.
Halpenny got a phone call from the Steel about three weeks ago after Georgia Heffernan was ruled out of the season with an ACL injury. Tragically Jennifer O'Connell suffered the same fate last week and the Steel had lost two-thirds of their shooting end.
"The idea was thrown out when Georgia went down and I just had to organise some things at my end with work and my availability. Also making sure that I didn't just rock up having done no shooting practice, nothing like that and I wanted to make sure that I could still put out a good performance on court too," Halpenny said.
As a police officer, Halpenny keeps fit but not on the same level as an elite netballer.
"Nothing to the intensity of what those girls are training week in, week out. I think it was just more about getting the ball to the post and actually catching the ball, I hadn't done that in over a year so it's definitely a little bit foreign but at the same time it's just like riding a bike."
Halpenny hasn't played any netball since early June last year when she played in the ANZ Premiership grand final for the Northern Stars.
Former Silver Fern Ellen Halpenny, now constable Halpenny. Photo: Supplied
Last night she came on part way through the third quarter at goal shoot and finished with a perfect nine from nine after 17 minutes on court but she felt rusty.
"I was just a bit slow to the ball and I could see things happening but my body wasn't necessarily moving as quick as I wanted it to. But I was stoked with getting the win and for the girls and it was just exciting that I even managed to get out on court."
She also noticed a lift in fitness in the space of just one year.
"I think this year the girls have come back a lot fitter and faster and the game's even a bit faster just because of that extra training period that they had and I'm excited for tonight."
Halpenny who played more at goal attack in the later part of her career said she would slot in there if the coach wants her to.
She said the Steel had been very welcoming.
"Me and Hoochie [Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit] were reminiscing about when we were playing New Zealand Secondary Schools together. I've known a few of those older girls for a very long time so it's been really good to actually get to be in their team again."
The 29-year-old said when she retired after last year's final she thought it was the end, so playing again in the ANZ again is a bonus.
"The police was definitely a massive goal of mine and I was really stoked that I actually managed to complete the training and that I am working full-time. I was also getting on the older side of my career and I needed to think about what am I going to do in the next three-five years time.
"I'm really fortunate that they still think of me as being able to come in and play and still being able to play at this level as well so I'm just really grateful."
The Steel meet the Tactix tonight in the final fixture of the round, the team Halpenny joined "when I was a fresh 17-year- old I think it was, for a few years.
"Me and Jane [Watson] used to flat together back in the day, and Sophia [Fenwick] and that we grew up through high school and stuff so definitely know a lot of those girls and the coaching staff."
She said it should be an exciting battle, given the Tactix last night only just missed out on drawing with the defending champions Pulse.
"It definitely will be a fierce game. It will also be interesting to see which team can back it up in terms of having played the previous game. It's going to be exciting and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top, hopefully it's us."
Halpenny spent some seasons with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and was in the Silver Ferns team for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Halpenny, who's been based in the South Waikato area for about the past four years, was stationed in Tokoroa soon after graduating from Police College in December last year.
She said there were some games she won't be available for due to her work commitments.
"My section in Tokoroa is really helpful and they don't mind me taking a few days off here and there. I've tried to make it as minimal as possible because I know that at the end of the day you need your team-mate next to you working."
She admits she has a busy few weeks ahead.
"I've just got to make sure that I'm really organised and get plenty of sleep because those night shifts are hard."
The Steel sit second to last on the ladder but Halpenny thinks they can challenge a lot of sides.
"I still think they've got those core players that really bring the best out of everyone else in the team and I think that's important. I really reckon we can push some teams quite hard and it will be exciting to see what actually does happen."