NWC2015 3 days to go: Remembering ‘03
August 4, 2015
Today marks three days to go until Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015. To mark the occasion, silverferns.co.nz takes a look back at THAT game at the 2003 World Championships…
It was a game that captured the hearts of New Zealanders – the Netball match of a decade against arch rivals Australia. Twelve years on and the memory of winning gold at the 2003 World Championships is still etched deep into the psyche of this nation, a time of pure joy and celebration. A game in which the team in black simply gutsed it out.
In the heat and humidity of Kingston, Jamaica the Silver Ferns literally battled their way through the 60 minute gold medal match at the 11th World Championships in front of a packed Independence Stadium of 3,500 Jamaicans.
Back in New Zealand, the game was beamed live into living rooms on TV One on a Monday morning, commuters delaying their daily grind, transfixed to one of the most riveting matches in Netball history.
The last time the two teams met was in the gold medal match at the XVII Commonwealth Games, the glory going to Australia in 2002 by an agonising two goals after extra-time. With ten months to ponder the agonising loss and plot a winning strategy, the Silver Ferns relished their ‘underdog’ status heading into the World Championships, quietly confident and armed with a burning desire to bring home gold.
The drama of the 2003 World Championship final unfolded in front of the nation, intensified by the sending off of star player Temepara Clark (Bailey) for repeated infringing in the second half. The dynamic Silver Ferns midcourter was off the court for two New Zealand centre passes, giving Australia the opportunity to draw level. And they did.
The collective heartbeats of fans gathered around TV sets in New Zealand increased as the game seesawed, remaining in the balance for the final few minutes.
A crucial intercept by Silver Ferns defender Sheryl Clarke was the single deciding factor in the match, and on conversion, with seconds ticking down and sensing victory, the kiwi team retained possession to run out two-goal winners.
The collective sigh of relief and elation was almost palpable throughout the country, summed up by the headline on the front page of Tuesday’s New Zealand Herald ‘Tide of Tears Finally Turn To Triumph’.
The 49-47 victory was one of the Silver Ferns finest.
On Friday 7 August, 2015, the Silver Ferns will start their Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 campaign against Barbados. Fans in NZ can catch all the action LIVE on SKY Sport 4 (check your local guides).
Follow the Silver Ferns on their NWC2015 journey by joining the team as a SilverFan! As a SilverFan you’ll get exclusive content, special offers and a members’-only e-newsletter. Join the team, become a SilverFan today!
It was a game that captured the hearts of New Zealanders – the Netball match of a decade against arch rivals Australia. Twelve years on and the memory of winning gold at the 2003 World Championships is still etched deep into the psyche of this nation, a time of pure joy and celebration. A game in which the team in black simply gutsed it out.
In the heat and humidity of Kingston, Jamaica the Silver Ferns literally battled their way through the 60 minute gold medal match at the 11th World Championships in front of a packed Independence Stadium of 3,500 Jamaicans.
Back in New Zealand, the game was beamed live into living rooms on TV One on a Monday morning, commuters delaying their daily grind, transfixed to one of the most riveting matches in Netball history.
The last time the two teams met was in the gold medal match at the XVII Commonwealth Games, the glory going to Australia in 2002 by an agonising two goals after extra-time. With ten months to ponder the agonising loss and plot a winning strategy, the Silver Ferns relished their ‘underdog’ status heading into the World Championships, quietly confident and armed with a burning desire to bring home gold.
The drama of the 2003 World Championship final unfolded in front of the nation, intensified by the sending off of star player Temepara Clark (Bailey) for repeated infringing in the second half. The dynamic Silver Ferns midcourter was off the court for two New Zealand centre passes, giving Australia the opportunity to draw level. And they did.
The collective heartbeats of fans gathered around TV sets in New Zealand increased as the game seesawed, remaining in the balance for the final few minutes.
A crucial intercept by Silver Ferns defender Sheryl Clarke was the single deciding factor in the match, and on conversion, with seconds ticking down and sensing victory, the kiwi team retained possession to run out two-goal winners.
The collective sigh of relief and elation was almost palpable throughout the country, summed up by the headline on the front page of Tuesday’s New Zealand Herald ‘Tide of Tears Finally Turn To Triumph’.
The 49-47 victory was one of the Silver Ferns finest.
On Friday 7 August, 2015, the Silver Ferns will start their Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 campaign against Barbados. Fans in NZ can catch all the action LIVE on SKY Sport 4 (check your local guides).
Follow the Silver Ferns on their NWC2015 journey by joining the team as a SilverFan! As a SilverFan you’ll get exclusive content, special offers and a members’-only e-newsletter. Join the team, become a SilverFan today!