Lara Looks Back With Pride On Jaegers Shot

Newcastle Herald

Thursday June 28, 2007

Renee Valentine - Netball

THERE is something special for Lara Welham about stepping onto the court at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in the colours of her home-town national netball league side.

The home-grown heroine has her own fan club and always receives a rousing reception, and those who know the 25-year-old know how much she loves playing there.

But it is a limited experience for the passionate Hunter Jaegers goal attack.

The Jaegers have just two home games left they host the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Sunday then the Queensland Firebirds on August 3 before the Tasman Trophy replaces the national league and the Hunter team ceases to exist.

"It's a definite advantage playing at home it gives everyone a bit of a lift playing in front of a home crowd, and there's probably nothing probably better than it," Welham said.

"There are no doubts I would've quit four years ago if the Sydney Sandpipers had have kept going in Sydney.

"But the Jaegers gave me a massive opportunity, and I'm pretty proud to have played every game for them and be one of two players [along with Jane Menzies] who has got on court every single game."

Welham played for the Sandpipers for two seasons before joining the Jaegers for their maiden campaign in 2004.

The PE teacher had already decided this year would be her last before news of the new series including New Zealand and Australian teams broke.

"I'm going to England for two years in November with my boyfriend Brad [Cranfield]," Welham said.

"I'm talking to a team in London called the Brunel Hurricanes, who play the Superleague there, and we'll both be working over there.

"This was always going to be my last year because I'd finished university and started teaching, and I wanted to travel.

"The timing has been perfect, and I'm so proud that Jane and I are going to hopefully be the only ones who have played in every game for the Jaegers."

Hunter have just four matches left and must win them all to be a chance of making their first semi-finals.

"We need to win all of those to get in, but we produced an upset win against the Thunderbirds at home last year, and I can't see why we can't do it again this weekend," Welham said.

"We've been working on a few things at training, and hopefully they come together for us on Sunday.

"I know I'll be going out there and giving it my all and will be trying to play as best I can to prove to Netball Australia that they should have a team in Newcastle and the Jaegers should be there in the next couple of years."

Welham boasts 66 national league appearances but has been pushed this season for a starting spot by a competitive group of youngsters stating their own cases for inclusion.

"The Jaegers gave me a massive opportunity, and I'm pretty proud to have played every game for them."

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home