Former Silver Fern Liana Leota finds it hard to comprehend she'll be courtside helping the England Roses when they compete against New Zealand later this month.
Liana Leota in action against England. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Ferns are hosting England in a three-Test series in Christchurch, starting on 20th September.
The 41 Test cap Silver Fern was appointed as a technical coach for the England Roses earlier this year and is with the team in MIQ in Christchurch.
She moved to Manchester in 2011 with her daughter and husband Johnny, who took up a contract with Premiership Rugby club the Sale Sharks.
The livewire wing attack debuted for the Silver Ferns in 2008. A gifted feeder, she was the Most Valuable Player of the 2010 ANZ Championship season.
In between having more children Leota went back and forth between Manchester and New Zealand, where she played for the Pulse from 2013 to 2015 and continued pursuing her Silver Ferns' career.
She settled full-time in the UK when she just missed the cut for the 2015 Netball World Cup.
The family has expanded in a big way. The eldest Brooklyn was born in New Zealand, then there was a 10 year gap before baby number two came along, now there are five kids.
"Four born and bred over there. Manchester is definitely our home for now."
Her husband took on an academy coach role with the Sharks this year after retiring.
"We've been lucky to be based in Manchester ...I don't think we are going to leave any time soon."
The 36-year-old is still playing top level netball herself in the UK's Vitality Super League where she is a stand out player.
Liana Leota playing for the Silver Ferns. Photo: Photosport
After spending a few years with Manchester Thunder, Leota joined the Severn Stars last year, which is coached by New Zealander Melissa Bessell (nee Hyndman).
"That was the big drawcard for me. Getting older and looking at that transition from playing to coaching. She was actually my New Zealand Māori coach growing up as a teenager in New Zealand. I had her coach me for a couple of years so I already had that connection with her."
Former Silver Fern Cathrine Tuivaiti, who's based in Italy, was also appointed as a specialist coach for the 2021 season but wasn't able to physically join the team.
"Covid's been a big pain in the butt for everybody. She was just helping out over zoom on coaching calls and stuff like that. But hopefully we'll get her in a bigger capacity this year fingers crossed everything settles down and will be able to travel etc."
Leota is a massive fan favourite in Britain where she's wowed crowds with her range of feeds and clever fake passes.
Earlier this year, she captained an All Stars team in a series against the England Roses, who were in need of competition after international series fell over.
Leota picked up the Fans' Player of the Series accolade.
It would be no surprise if England Roses coaches past or present have asked Leota if she would consider making herself available to play in the red dress.
"Hahaha ...I think I had my time and I enjoyed it while I did. I don't think I could do that again, just the time, training, dedication you have to put into that I just don't have the time with five children. I always knew that would be the reality."
Liana Leota spent three years at the Pulse. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
But Leota was very excited when she was brought into the coaching team in May.
"When I applied, I thought there's no harm in trying. I just thought it would be an amazing opportunity just to see what it was like to be in that environment, coming from the New Zealand style, moving to the English, how they do things very different.
"Over the moon to be able to still be playing, coaching at the same time in a professional environment, I couldn't have asked for anything better than that."
Her appointment runs until post the 2023 Netball World Cup.
Leota has seen netball progress significantly in the UK.
"I remember coming over in 2011 and coming to Thunder trainings and they were just doing Tuesday/Thursday sessions.
"Now there's so much support and strength and conditioning and nutrition and psychology that they're getting the overall package and it's not just about turning up to a Tuesday/Thursday training then playing on the weekend.
"The sport is moving in a great direction I think it's trying to move to a fully professional environment so that'll be huge."
The England Roses' gold medal victory at the 2018 Commonwealth Games also had a huge impact.
"On the back of that, netball was crazy, we had so many more people wanting to join, we had everyone wanting to watch and know about netball, it was amazing after they won just the support behind netball in England."
Preparing for the Silver Ferns
The squad is trying to do what it can to train inside the limitations of hotel rooms.
"It's been very hard but the girls just want to play, they are biting at the bit to get out there so we're trying to do whatever we can to make sure that they are physically ready."
Liana Leota after winning semi final over England at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Leota has been leading some footwork drills with the players over Zoom.
"I think they covered like 5kms in one session. In a small room they did a load of work.
"It's just trying to come up with ideas with what they've got in their rooms, obviously we can't bring things in and out so yeah just trying to experiment with their space, tissues, tennis balls, socks, it's been crazy."
Leota will have some insights to help prepare the England players for the New Zealand style of play.
"We haven't had that prep time yet of being able to adapt to the space marking, putting zones in training but I think for us what we can do is just show clips, give them evidence, put together a good game plan for them.
"I can add little bits and pieces because I've been away for so long and out of touch but I still suppose that I have that knowledge ... it's just adding one or two little gems that they can take on court."
Roses' head coach Jess Thirlby first met Leota many years ago when she was playing for the Southern Steel.
"She came out on a coaching placement. She sit behind Robie [former Steel coach Robyn Broughton] and shadowed her so I had her for three or four weeks in Invercargill. I also played against her when I was part of the Silver Ferns and she was playing for England ... crazy how it goes full circle."
Liana Leota at the 2014 Commonwealth Games Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Leota is also coaching veterans like Geva Mentor, Serena Guthrie, and Jade Clarke, who she played against in the black dress.
Leota admits it will be strange sitting courtside for England opposite the Silver Ferns.
"Even when I got the job it still does feel surreal. I think until I'm actually sitting on the courtside out there, the realisation's not going to happen.
"For me I'm just enjoying things as they come. I can't think too far ahead, I might be a little bit overwhelmed and excited but just to be a part of this team, but obviously coaching some of the players I've played against is quite crazy."
The last time Leota came home was Christmas 2018. She's hoping if alert levels allow it, she might be able to give her England Roses some kiwiana experiences.
"I would love to show them a hangi or something traditionally Māori that I've been brought up with in my family, like fry bread. Seafood that's me - I cannot wait to get out because I have not eaten New Zealand food in a very long time."
Most of her family are still living in Palmerston North where she grew up and is hoping they might be able to get down to Christchurch if restrictions ease.
Leota will return to play for the Severn Stars next year. It could be her last season, but she's not going to call it.
"I'm not going to say retire because I know if I said that someone would ask me and then I'd come back. Hopefully I will just walk away quietly and try and find some sort of coaching role but I don't think I'll ever say I'm going to retire."