New Silver Fern getting used to 'very cool feeling'

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NEW NAME: Grace Rasmussen at the naming of the New Zealand netball team for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games.

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New cap Grace Rasmussen was today still getting to grips with the reality that she will be off to the Commonwealth Games in October to help the Silver Ferns defend their netball crown.

The Northern Mystics attacker's inclusion in New Zealand's 12-strong squad was confirmed today, as was that of three players returning to the test arena - shooter Daneka Wipiiti, and defenders Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett.

Coach Ruth Aitken told Rasmussen yesterday that she had made the cut for New Delhi after impressing at a selection camp in Auckland this week and the player said today that her selection was still sinking in.

"The feeling is surreal at the moment," she said.

"I'm still trying to grasp the fact that I have made the final 12. Being named a Silver Fern is an amazing achievement. To be able to say I'm going to the Commonwealth Games is even greater. It's a very cool feeling."

The 22-year-old Aucklander is the only uncapped player in the squad, while two others, Southern Steel midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase and Central Pulse defender Katrina Grant, will be going to their first Commonwealth Games.

Rasmussen said she was in a car with her three sisters when Aitken rang her.

While she had to compose herself, her sisters greeted the news with wild delight.

Aitken said the screams she heard down the line "made my heart burst", adding jokingly that she was concerned her phone call might cause an accident.

Aitken said Rasmussen, who would be used as a goal attack who also played wing attack, had impressed the selectors during the camp with her work ethic, strength and conditioning.

"She's a creative, dynamic player and she will really add something."

The selections of Wipiiti and de Bruin follow their return to netball after giving birth last year.

Scarlett got the nod after giving up the beach volleyball career she pursued after missing out on the Silver Ferns side for the 2007 world championship.

Aitken said Scarlett, who has 39 test caps, was still a bit rusty after three years away from netball.

"She knows what she wants to do but hasn't quite got back into the groove, but she has outstanding ability," she said.

"We certainly know how she can play and how much of a menace she can be on court."

The same 12 players will play tests against Samoa, Jamaica and Australia before heading to India.

The Silver Ferns' record from the three previous Commonwealth Games tournaments is one gold medal and two silvers.

New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general and Commonwealth Games team selector Barry Maister described netball as "one of the jewels in our crown".

"It's an elite sport for us and we have high expectations of that standard being maintained," he said.

"Trying for back-to-back gold medals is the task of this team."

Silver Ferns: Liana Barrett-Chase, Leana de Bruin, Temepara George (vice-captain), Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Grace Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Casey Williams (captain), Daneka Wipiiti.

- NZPA