Selby-Rickit becomes Silver Fern #161
August 29, 2016
Te Paea Selby-Rickit admits to having a few nerves when she stepped on court to make her Silver Ferns debut on Saturday afternoon.
Becoming the 161st player to wear the Black Dress, Selby-Rickit joins her sister, Te Huinga (#153), as only the second set of sisters to play for the Silver Ferns after Maxine Blomquist and Annette Heffernan who played in the 1970s and 1980s.
She made her international debut at GA, coming on at the start of the fourth quarter, to replace Ameliaranne Wells.
“It’s awesome and good to get it out of the way,” she said after the match.
“I was a bit nervous when Janine told to me to put the GA bib on.
“I had a few nerves early on and was a bit shaky, but I got those cobwebs out and I’ll be good to go the next time I get an opportunity.
“It feels awesome to be part of the Silver Ferns family and to finally get that first Cap.”
With her parents in the crowd, Selby-Rickit said it was a proud moment singing the National Anthem alongside her teammates.
“It was a surreal feeling; it’s something you always dream of, and to actually be there you have all these nerves.
“It was such a huge honour, and I’m so happy that I’ve achieved it.
“Mum and dad will also be in Hamilton; it’s awesome to have them here supporting me.”
You can catch Te Paea and her Silver Ferns team-mates in action on Wednesday 31 August against the SPAR Proteas at Claudelands Arena, Hamilton – GET TICKETS.
Becoming the 161st player to wear the Black Dress, Selby-Rickit joins her sister, Te Huinga (#153), as only the second set of sisters to play for the Silver Ferns after Maxine Blomquist and Annette Heffernan who played in the 1970s and 1980s.
She made her international debut at GA, coming on at the start of the fourth quarter, to replace Ameliaranne Wells.
“It’s awesome and good to get it out of the way,” she said after the match.
“I was a bit nervous when Janine told to me to put the GA bib on.
“I had a few nerves early on and was a bit shaky, but I got those cobwebs out and I’ll be good to go the next time I get an opportunity.
“It feels awesome to be part of the Silver Ferns family and to finally get that first Cap.”
With her parents in the crowd, Selby-Rickit said it was a proud moment singing the National Anthem alongside her teammates.
“It was a surreal feeling; it’s something you always dream of, and to actually be there you have all these nerves.
“It was such a huge honour, and I’m so happy that I’ve achieved it.
“Mum and dad will also be in Hamilton; it’s awesome to have them here supporting me.”
You can catch Te Paea and her Silver Ferns team-mates in action on Wednesday 31 August against the SPAR Proteas at Claudelands Arena, Hamilton – GET TICKETS.