Silver Ferns mid-courter Grace Kara admits becoming captain of the Northern Stars has made her determined to serve her team well in the 2018 ANZ Premiership.
Silver Ferns mid-courter Grace Kara nee Rasmussen will captain the Northern Stars in the 2018 ANZ Premiership. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
Kara, nee Rasmussen, has been confirmed to guide the side in just their second year of New Zealand's elite netball competition.
She is returning to her Auckland roots after time with the Waikato-BOP Magic and Northern Mystics, and is a key signing for the club which was founded last year and will be coached by 2017 world champion under-21's coach Kiri Wills.
Wills said the wing attack brought so much to the captaincy role for a Stars side filled with new combinations.
"Grace has a quiet strength about her." says Wills.
"She is someone who leads by example and with a high work-rate on court brings experience to the squad which is important both on and off the court."
Despite becoming one of New Zealand's most staple netball players, it was never on her radar to become the captain of an ANZ Premiership team.
Now that it's here, Kara's outlook on the game has changed both as a Star and Silver Fern.
"It's just looking at ways I can serve the team now." says Kara.
"I lead through my actions and I like to do everything to the best of my ability. It all changes now, I need to be seen as doing my job and be vocally demanding of myself and others."
Kara, who celebrates her 30th birthday later this week, was often used as a utility in the past making her Silver Ferns debut as a young goal attack in 2010 - but has seen her game grow in the wing attack role with her vision, speed and silky ball skills making her a threat at every level of the game.
She will be vital for the new-look Stars shooting circle which includes former Silver Ferns Paula Griffin, Ellen Halpenny and Stars foundation member Maia Wilson who are looking forward to learning from the veteran.
"It's awesome to have Grace in our line-up this year." says Wilson.
"I think she brings a calm and level headed game play, she's very experienced and has been around for a long time, we can learn a lot from her."
Northern Stars foundation member and goal shooter Maia Wilson Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
Kara is reunited with a familar face in current assistant coach Temepara Bailey - a former star mid-courter for the Silver Ferns. The pair both represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games at Delhi in 2010 and went on to win a gold medal.
"I'm not going to change everything because I'm captain all of a sudden, I'll lead through my actions." says Kara
"I feel really honoured and priviledged, this is the first time I'm leading an ANZ Premiership team."
The Northern Stars open their ANZ Premiership campaign in a Super Sunday clash against the Silvermoon Tactix in Palmerston North on May 6.
- RNZ
