Silver Ferns Michaela Sokolich-Beatson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson says she got to a point where she couldn't picture a comeback to the Silver Ferns after back to back injuries robbed her of two precious years of elite netball.
The defender is set to make her highly anticipated return to international netball at next month's Nations Cup in England, where the Silver Ferns will play Australia, Uganda, and the hosts.
It's been five years since her last appearance in the black dress.
Sokolich-Beatson captained the NZU21 team to the Netball World Youth Cup title in 2017, then made her Silver Ferns' debut in 2018.
The 11-Test Silver Fern was on track for a big 2020 after missing out on the 2019 Netball World Cup by the slimmest of margins before two achilles injuries in the space of nine months.
"It's actually hard to put into words, I just feel like a little bit numb about it because I just never thought that it would happen for me again so yeah just really grateful and excited and honoured to be given this chance," Sokolich-Beatson said.
The 27-year-old said making a comeback to the Silver Ferns felt so far-fetched a couple of years ago.
"I just thought 'I'm too old now, they won't waste their time with me, they'll find a younger, more up and coming defender that they can grow and develop'. So I definitely thought I had my turn, it was someone else's turn but I'm glad to be back here because I feel like I've still got a lot to give.
"I know how long I've worked for this and I know how long it has been kind of on the sidelines watching and supporting so it feels like a life time ago.
"It kind of actually got to the point where it felt like I never was in the Ferns so it's nice to be back here."
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (L) prior to her Silver Ferns debut v Malawi Queens in Auckland, 21 March 2018. Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung
Sokolich-Beatson comes into the defensive mix for Jane Watson, who is taking planned leave next month and is unavailable for the trip.
After a tentative return to elite netball last year in the domestic league for the Mystics, she started hitting her straps this year.
"This year in the ANZ I thought I had the best season I've ever had so I tried to take that level of confidence into trials with me."
Long touted for her leadership skills, she captained the FAST5 Ferns at last month's World Series and Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua said the defender would bring another level of leadership to the Silver Ferns.
"One of the amazing things I think is her robustness to come back into the netball scene but also what she put out there on court whether she was playing wing defence or goal defence and was able to turnover ball.
"As the trials went on she became stronger and stronger so it's one of those good stories and man she's done so well," Dame Noeline said.
The wing defence/goal defence slide joins fellow Mystics defender Phoenix Karaka in the defensive end, as well as Kelly Jury and Karin Burger.
"Me and Kelly were the goal keep, goal defence at the New Zealand under 21 World Cup so we had four years building up to that. We did New Zealand secondary schools stuff, we've actually played a lot of netball together.
"I played with Karin when I was in the Ferns the first time so I feel like I know that defensive group well."
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (L) was sidelined during the 2020 ANZ Premiership. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2020 www.photosport.nz
While there have been a few changes since she was last in the Silver Ferns, there are some constants.
"I was sitting in the team meeting when Noels [Noeline Taurua] was speaking and when she finished and we were on our way to training I said to Phoenix, 'man Noels just has so much mana', like when she speaks, people listen.
"I felt like that when I was in the Ferns the last time and she still holds that level of respect with the girls so that's really nice."
Fitness still achilles heel
Shooters Maia Wilson and Tiana Metuarau were not named in the squad yesterday after failing to meet fitness standards.
Instead they will use the Christmas break to work on their conditioning.
Wing attack Peta Toeava missed out on another opportunity in the black dress for the same reason, which continues to hamper the 29-year-old.
Dame Noeline implemented the conditioning targets early on in her Silver Ferns coaching tenure and said it was a must for players at that level if they wanted to be selected.
"To ensure that they can play the game that is required at the international level but also is that we minimise risk of injury.
"There were a few in our development squad as well [who did not meet the standards], I sort of understand some of those players because of their age and stage."
Phoenix Karaka was named captain for the series, with Ameliaranne Ekenasio not available.
Kate Heffernan at 24 and Grace Nweke, who's just 21, were named as her vice-captains for the tour.
Dame Noeline said they represented the future.
"Players that we were looking at who we knew that would be on court and starting to lead in regards to our performance standards and also their ability on-court performance. We know both of those players will be around for two or three cycles if they want.
"They are not shy in coming forward and they will challenge and they will ask the questions and that's really what we want as well."
Dame Noeline said it was also useful to have captains in each third of the court.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua at the 2023 Netball World Cup © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix/ www.photosport.nz © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix/ www.photosport.nz Photo: BackPage / www.photosport.nz
The Silver Ferns' coach said there were things they were trying to implement on the back of the review after the side's fourth place finish at the Netball World Cup.
"One is that leadership space, it's how we can get the relationship a wee bit tighter, ensuring that we're looking at players that we hope will be on the court and how they can lead in that space, not only in their own position but also their capability of leading others, hence the current leadership group that we have selected.
"Also noting as well that we are kind of birthing a new generation of players, so coming out of that is how we build those relationships now with Gen Z or whatever they're called and ensuring that they want to be there, that they know that they have skin in the game and that they can make a difference. I think that's a clear points that we want to do moving forward."
Dame Noeline, who will decide whether she wants to stay on in the job after the Nations Cup, said ball retention was also a big focus.
"We are looking at slightly wee bit of a different way, and it is linked into a bit of discipline as well as to how we can hold the possession of the ball.
"Everything on top of that is about performance and how we go out there to win the games."
With assistant coach Debbie Fuller unavailable for the series, Australian coach Briony Akle is coming on board as a specialist.
Dame Noeline is excited to work with Akle, who coaches the New South Wales Swifts in the Australian league.
"I've had the experience of coaching against her when I was coaching Sunshine Coast Lightning and I've always enjoyed watching her. She's a master coach and it's another opportunity for these players to get experience under such a coach, for us to learn the Australian way and also for my personal development."