50-Test milestone for popular Mes
October 15, 2017
Resilience has been an enduring quality for the humble and hard-working Bailey Mes, the rangy shooter achieving the 50-Test milestone for the Silver Ferns in the final Constellation Cup Test against Australia yesterday.
Overcoming a challenging start to her career, Mes has gone on to become a cornerstone of the Silver Ferns with her combined athleticism, shooting skills and defensive abilities.
Thrown in at the depth end after her selection in the 2012 Silver Ferns squad, which was as much of a surprise to Mes as most others, and making her debut at wing attack, the richly talented athlete has gone on to build a significant career to the point where she is now a mainstay in the shooting circle and a senior member.
“It was a crazy experience making the team out of position but I’ve loved it and felt like I’ve come a really long way in terms of my confidence and development,” she said. “I love being in the shooting circle, even playing goal attack now has just added so much more than I had when I came in.
“It’s been an interesting evolution and a bit hard to describe but I love it and it’s made me a better person, for sure.”
Mes endured long spells on the bench and major injury early on but looks back fondly on the 2015 Netball World Cup as a career turning point, her game expanding all the while as she keeps adding to her repertoire.
“When I look back, there are so many incredible names, particularly when I first got in the team. Looking up to those players as a youngie was amazing and just being able to soak up everything,” she said.
A number of shooters, particularly Irene van Dyk, Maria Tutaia and Jodi Brown have left their mark on Mes.
“They all played a part and I have taken something from all of them,” she said. “There have been many players across the court that I have been very lucky to play with and against.
“Playing 50 games in the Black Dress is amazing and still feels a bit strange but I’m incredibly honoured and just stoked that I’ve managed to get this milestone under my belt.”
A popular team member who loves to train, Mes has become a reliable and accurate shooter while her athletic ability completes a damaging and special skill set. Showing her growing status, Mes has missed just two games for the Silver Ferns since 2015, being rested both times.
She has shot three 100 percent games for the Silver Ferns and maintains a healthy 83 percent success rate to date in her career.
Overcoming a challenging start to her career, Mes has gone on to become a cornerstone of the Silver Ferns with her combined athleticism, shooting skills and defensive abilities.
Thrown in at the depth end after her selection in the 2012 Silver Ferns squad, which was as much of a surprise to Mes as most others, and making her debut at wing attack, the richly talented athlete has gone on to build a significant career to the point where she is now a mainstay in the shooting circle and a senior member.
“It was a crazy experience making the team out of position but I’ve loved it and felt like I’ve come a really long way in terms of my confidence and development,” she said. “I love being in the shooting circle, even playing goal attack now has just added so much more than I had when I came in.
“It’s been an interesting evolution and a bit hard to describe but I love it and it’s made me a better person, for sure.”
Mes endured long spells on the bench and major injury early on but looks back fondly on the 2015 Netball World Cup as a career turning point, her game expanding all the while as she keeps adding to her repertoire.
“When I look back, there are so many incredible names, particularly when I first got in the team. Looking up to those players as a youngie was amazing and just being able to soak up everything,” she said.
A number of shooters, particularly Irene van Dyk, Maria Tutaia and Jodi Brown have left their mark on Mes.
“They all played a part and I have taken something from all of them,” she said. “There have been many players across the court that I have been very lucky to play with and against.
“Playing 50 games in the Black Dress is amazing and still feels a bit strange but I’m incredibly honoured and just stoked that I’ve managed to get this milestone under my belt.”
A popular team member who loves to train, Mes has become a reliable and accurate shooter while her athletic ability completes a damaging and special skill set. Showing her growing status, Mes has missed just two games for the Silver Ferns since 2015, being rested both times.
She has shot three 100 percent games for the Silver Ferns and maintains a healthy 83 percent success rate to date in her career.