Anna Harrison’s roots lie in Karamea on the West Coast, but it was in Dunedin as a student that the long-limbed defender first made her mark in Netball.

Lean and tall, Harrison’s aerial ability, long reach and timing were key to her Silver Ferns selection as a 19-year-old in 2002. A menacing presence in the defensive circle, Harrison was part of the Silver Ferns gold medal success at both Netball World Cup 2003 and 2006 Commonwealth Games before taking a break to pursue other interests.

After playing volleyball for New Zealand, the versatile Harrison spent a couple of years on the international beach volleyball circuit before returning to the Netball fold in 2010.

The diligent and talented sportswoman regained her spot in the Silver Ferns team the same year, attending the Commonwealth Games in Delhi where she made a name for herself as a highly successful impact player from the largely unfamiliar position of wing defence.

Able to cover all three defensive positions equally well, Harrison offered variety across the defensive end and became a more devastating player the longer her career progressed.

She attracted a massive response from the Netball public and media for a move employed during the 2012 ANZ Championship which involved being lifted by a team-mate to block a shot, which was duly dubbed the `Harrison Hoist’.