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Temepara George Confirms Her Netball Future

Wednesday 23 July 2008, 5:32PM

By Netball New Zealand

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AUCKLAND

The LG Northern Mystics and Counties Manukau Netball have confirmed Temepara George intends to play in the 2009 ANZ Championship and that she has taken up a position as netball development officer for Counties Manukau Netball.

George was a member of the Silver Ferns national squad from 1996 to 2007 where she earned 59 test caps for her country. One of the most influential members of the Silver Ferns of the past seven years, she is a genuine superstar of the game.

As a member of the winning 2003 World Champion Silver Ferns and 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medal winning team, Geroge still remains at the peak of her powers.

George, 32 showed her talent and ability as well as her leadership skills throughout the inaugural season of the ANZ Championship for the LG Mystics who had several incredibly close games which with a bit of luck could have seen her team go close to the semifinals. She has signed a letter of intent to play for the Mystics in the 2009 season.

“Temepara is an inspirational player on and off the court and the LG Mystics are happy to have a letter of intent for her to play with the franchise again. She is a very valuable player in every aspect,” said LG Mystics CEO Mark Cameron.

George was influential to many New Zealanders on and off the court winning the 2008 Dancing With The Stars TV show and gaining a huge public following in the process.

“It’s back to my roots where there is so much ability. It’s nice to give something back to the region,” says George who played for Counties Manukau for five seasons between 1998 and 2002.

Regarding any potential place in the Silver Ferns, George says 2008 is not the year for any return. “I have made myself unavailable for the Silver Ferns this year. I’ve got the new job to concentrate on. Although I’m not saying never to the Silver Ferns in the future. I talked with Ruth Aitken and said no to this year,” she says.

The role for Counties Manukau Netball will see George working with young netballers around the region where she grew up and where some of New Zealand’s best talent has started out.

“It’s fantastic to have Temepara George back in the Counties Manukau region where her netball first began and to have someone of her calibre lead our development programme into the future,” says Nicole Terrill, Regional Manager, Counties Manukau Netball.