Leota Ready for the Rigours of Commonwealth Games

Perhaps the most talked about selection in the New Zealand Netball team for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games was that of midcourter Liana Leota.

Returning to ANZ Championship Netball within weeks of the birth of her third child, Leota showed enough form to confirm her selection into the NZ team and the hard work getting back into shape is paying off.

Coach Waimarama Taumaunu says Leota is on track both physically and mentally to take on the rigours of the Netball event at the Games.

“According to our data, she’s very close to being ready and I think game time is the only thing that’s going to test that, so we’re ready to put her on the court and she’s certainly spent the last week playing full games,” she said.

“We were very fortunate to have great facilities in Bath in the lead-up and our routines are fairly set.

“People in this group pay attention to detail and that includes Liana. We’re all very fit and healthy at the moment and that’s what we intended to be when we arrived,” Taumaunu said.

“Liana’s had a strength and conditioning programme obviously, but a lot of work around her recovery.

“She’s had to pay a lot of attention around her recovery routines and her warm-up routines as well, just because – in terms of the explosive nature of her play - we have to keep her very warm and her muscles in good shape.”

The 30 test cap veteran is grateful to the faith NZ selectors have shown in her ability to bounce back from childbirth and says she’ll do her utmost to represent NZ with pride.

“My training regime has been full on, but I know I needed it. I know I will reap the rewards at the end so I went through all the hard work over the past few months to make the end a little bit easier,” Leota said.

At 29 years of age, Leota is considered one of the senior players in the team. She believes her age and experience is something that’s counted in her favour.

“I think just watching the Netball games, we’ve got so much youth and enthusiasm in the team but sometimes you just need that composure, that cool calm head to deliver those passes or calm that attacking end down and I  think that comes with experience.”

Leota was in the NZ Netball team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and after three years out of the black dress, admits it hasn’t been too difficult slotting back in to the fold.

“For me being away so long, it was having those familiar faces around me.

“The more time we’ve spent with each other, those connections have come back quickly, so for me it’s a plus.”

“I’m not learning too many new players and their styles and how they like the ball etc, so it’s been a positive for me.”

“I’m just so glad to be here, the excitement and the whole feeling, the other athletes training and getting ready for their events is pretty cool.”

Generally speaking, Leota is a pretty laid-back person and takes things in her stride before big matches.

“As long as I have a good sleep and as long as I’m relaxed and chilled and eat properly thoughout the day I’m pretty easy. I used to be very superstitious, but once I had children, that went out the door.”