Barrett-Chase hopes to win gold medal

Southern Steel midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase hopes to win a gold medal at October's Commonwealth Games but she has asked her family not to travel to India for the event.

Barrett-Chase was one of three Steel players named in Ruth Aitken's Silver Ferns Commonwealth Games squad yesterday, with Daneka Wipiiti and Leana de Bruin both earning recalls after long absences from the national team.

The sparky midcourter said she was excited about the Games but, like several of her New Zealand team-mates, she did not want her family there because of security concerns.

"I think Netball New Zealand the players' association have our best interests at heart so if it's too dangerous to go, they will make the call. I'm really excited and I want to go. I know I'll be safe but I've told my family not to go," she said.

"I know that lots of people will be supporting me and there will be texts and emails, so it doesn't matter where I am, I know I'll be loved."

Barrett-Chase will marry rugby-playing partner Johnny Leota in Rarotonga in November and is keen to have a medal as a wedding present.

Being selected for the Commonwealth Games marked a major point in her career, Barrett-Chase said.

"Honestly, words can't express it; it's huge. I've always wanted to go, especially to have a chance to win a medal – preferably gold. To be amongst all those amazing athletes and to be in that environment, obviously not many people get to do that so it's exciting."

Wipiiti has been named in the national squad for the first time since 2008 and she will be hoping to improve on the silver medal she won at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Her fellow new mum in the Steel team, Leana de Bruin, has already won Games gold in 2006, along with a world championship in 2003.

With de Bruin, Wipiiti and former beach volleyballer Anna Scarlett all returning to the team, Mystics player Grace Rasmussen was the only new cap named in Aitken's 12-strong squad.

"Grace is a dynamic and creative player who provides the Silver Ferns with strong options both in shooting and in the midcourt," Aitken said.

The Silver Ferns leave for Delhi on September 24 and start their Games campaign on October 4.

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

- © Fairfax NZ News