It's been yet another successful Cadbury netball series between the Silver Ferns and the Aotearoa Men's side.

We took the  opportunity to talk to two local stars of the series Jay Geldard and Victor Godsmark-White who seized on their opportunity to join the team and deliver two most valuable player performances in games 2 and 3 respectively.

CNC: When did you first find out that you would be joining the squad and what was your reaction?

VGW: I got the heads up the weekend before that I may be called up into the team, but wasn’t 100% locked in until about a day or two before flying out.  It was insanely quick and a mix of excitement and anxiety just not knowing for sure if I was going and if so in what capacity.  Lucky for me Scenic Hotels are pretty supportive with taking leave for netball.

JG: The team was to fly out on Tuesday and the SOS came through on Friday evening to prepare mentally and physically for the potential call up. The phone call was unexpected and I didn’t sleep well that evening as the nerves began to flood in. This season I had played for Kereru Men’s A team, and we had won the Christchurch and South Island competition so felt like I was netball ready - of sorts. 

I hit the courts and shot the netball every opportunity I could before I got the official call up. I work for 24-7 YouthWork and had planned a family trip during the holidays to Taupo for that weekend but the Auckland lock down put an end to that. So when I was asked if I would consider joining the team, it was an easy decision. 

We found out the night before the team left for Wellington that they wanted us. It was made clear that if the Auckland / Hamilton based players could get out of Auckland lockdown then we wouldn’t play - which I understood and was happy to be a training partner if needed. 

CNC: The team really started to gel in the second game - was it that confidence and the growing amount of time spent together that inspired the performance in game 3?

VGW: I think the time together and really adjusting to that environment (top umpires,  game intensity, cameras etc etc).  Trust and connections were built.  Also our coaches plans and game plan really came together in the last game (well we actually stuck to their structures etc lol)

JG: We came together well but lost the first game. However, we learnt from that first game and were able to refine a few strategies going into game 2. I wasn’t overly happy with how I played in the first game and wanted to lift to another level for the team. 

CNC: You both stood out in games 2 and 3, and were duly awarded Most Valuable Players. That must have felt amazing given the limited preparation. 

VGW: For me, it was knowing these opportunities come along very few and far between, never mind the fact I had been out of the NZ for two years and felt that chapter was done and dusted.  The knowing this was likely my last series/game for NZ I wanted to enjoy the moment and play as hard as I knew I could.  Also to show anyone, if you are passionate about something keep doing it as long as love it, don’t let age become a factor.  I was also inspired by my team mates both in Wellington and those who couldn’t travel.

JG: To be named Player of the Game was an honour and something I didn’t expect at all. What inspired my performance was putting the game into perspective. As a 40 year old player I knew this opportunity would never come again so I wanted to take the opportunity and have fun with it. This meant the pressure was off as I wanted to enjoy the moment and play netball with some life long friends. 

Thanks so much and congratulations to you both, you are an inspiration to the current and younger generation of netballers and made us all very proud.

[Image courtesy Michael Bradley Photography 2021.]

Article added: Saturday 16 October 2021