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Sport Nation
Laura Langman adds valuable experience to Silver Ferns' World Cup defence
Logan Swinkels • July 7th, 2023 10:00 am
Laura Langman is back in the Silver Ferns fold after retiring from all netball in 2020, this time in a technical role to help guide New Zealand to a successful defence of their World Cup crown.
Langman was the captain of that 2019 side who upset Australia in a thrilling 52-51 victory in Liverpool. Prior to that, the Silver Ferns had won netball’s pinnacle event in 2003 – before heartache in 2007, 2011 and 2015 to the Diamonds followed.
Speaking with Kirst and Beav on SENZ The Run Home while in Silver Ferns training camp on the Gold Coast, Langman says it’s great to be back inside the team environment.
“It’s a really special unit to be a part of – it doesn’t matter if you’re pulling up the drink bottles or you’ve been there for a hundred games, you’re treated with the same respect. It’s just awesome,” she said.
Langman herself finished an impressive international career with 163 caps – the midcourt specialist admits despite being away from the game for a couple years, it was too hard to say no to coach Dame Noeline Taurua after a little convincing.
“They’ve done all the work, now it’s just about putting icing on the cake. When you’re invited into the environment, I don’t feel like you’re there to do really big things, just the small things, the comments here and there that might help in one game.
“I definitely still think ‘Oh my god, I don’t know what I’m doing here’ but it’s a real honour to even be asked to be involved in such an important campaign,” the former captain added.
Langman’s current role focuses on strategy, but it won’t see her punch a ticket to the World Cup itself. The 37-year-old is quite happy to watch from home, mentioning to Kirst and Beav that netball has changed dramatically since her playing days when she looks at the intensity and pace at which the Ferns train and play today.
After spending time in camp, Langman says the coaching staff are so in tune with each other and the players, looking to strike a balance between life and work in a World Cup year.
“They want to give this team an experience that they’ll remember forever. The memories that they create on and off the court, those are the most important connections you can make - their buildup has been fantastic and they’ve really raised the bar from 2019.”
When asked what’s most important thing heading into a World Cup, the netball great shared an incredible insight into how those priorities develop over time.
“It changes as you evolve in your netball journey – back in the day when it was my first, it’s all unknown and everything’s so exciting, you don’t know what playing five days in a row is going to feel like. Naivety is bliss!
“And then as you get on, you start getting a little bit more strategic. I know what works for me recovery wise, you start putting some knowledge pearls in your bank,
“Then when you get to your last one, you’re thinking ‘This is it! And we’re not leaving no stone unturned and I’m not coming back for another four years, so what’s on the line?’” Langman jokes.
“The strategic side of things from a personal standpoint, in terms of you, your body, your game, that ramps up another level because every time you do a movement you want to get bang for your buck. It’s a real evolving experience.”
Hopefully the younger members of the Silver Ferns squad are hanging onto every word when one of the greatest of all-time speaks up about her experiences.
The Netball World Cup is set to begin July 28 in Cape Town, South Africa – New Zealand face Trinidad & Tobago in the opening match of the tournament.
Listen to the full interview below:
