Jenny Ferguson
It's fair to say the 2010 ANZ Championship didn't exactly go as planned for Jenny Ferguson.
Instead of continuing her role solely as Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel's physio, she was thrust into the squad as cover for defender Sheryl Scanlan, who has battled a calf injury throughout the season.
“I had planned to be the physio,” Ferguson said. “But it's been good - it's a great bunch of girls, they're very friendly and welcoming and very understanding that I hadn't played netball for three years.
“Sheryl is a fantastic player and team member – we didn't think it was going to be a season-ending injury at the start so it was just a fill-in positional role initially.”
But donning the sneakers to play in the world's toughest netball league didn't faze the former Ascot Park Hotel Southern Sting captain.
“I missed the training and that intensity and I've got a competitive nature so it's been great,” she said. “I've enjoyed filling in this season but I've got no plans for a big comeback in the future.”
It's been a hectic few months for Ferguson as she juggles her physio duties, including the full roster of Steel players, during the week, team training sessions and games on both sides of the Tasman.
“I've got pretty good at strapping myself,” she quipped.
The focus on her elite sport involvement rests firmly with sports physiotherapy – an area she's passionate about.
“It's always evolving ... it's been just so much more professional as well for netball and it's changing dramatically each year so you've got to be so much more professional,” she said. “They're elite athletes and they see what other teams have got to offer so it does motivate you to keep on top of your game.
Her own career in netball's top echelon was an asset when treating players.
“You know what they've done when they're talking to you about what's happened and you know what they've got to get back to as well so it's definitely an advantage.”
Ferguson has been appointed to the New Zealand Secondary Schools team for the next two years and also travelled with the Silver Ferns to Australia earlier this year in a professional capacity to work alongside physiotherapist Sharon Kearney.
“She's been fantastic to me and is a real mentor.”
Steel the Spotlight
Name: Jenny Ferguson
Age: 31
Height: 1.82m
Position: GD, WD, GK
Achievements: Southern Steel 2010, Southern Sting 2003 to 2006, NZ A 2004-2005, Otago Rebels 1999-2002, NZ Under-21.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career? “For physio, I'll go with netball and say Lesley Rumball because she was such a trainer. She got my training up to speed and was so competitive in wanting the ball. In terms of netball, Rob's (Steel coach Robyn Broughton) probably had the biggest influence on me as a coach and just in striving to improve myself.”
What's the best advice you have been given? “A good one for netball is live in the moment: don't over-think things, just play the game you know to play.”
Most memorable moment, on or off the court? “I made the New Zealand under-21s and New Zealand A's which was always an aim for me but I think the best feel-good moment was coming home with the National Bank Cup in 2007 and travelling through the main streets of Invercargill with it.”
What would you consider your ultimate achievement? “I don't have a specific team in mind but I would like to continue my sports physio involvement. I did apply for Commonwealth Games this year and got an interview – I think that would be a great thing to do and see and be part of so that's an aim for the future.”
Where or who do you draw your inspiration from? “On the court, it's definitely the win – we are all type-A competitive types out there so we want to win. Off the court, physio is a great career because you keep learning – you never know everything and there's always new things coming out. Working with sports athletes, you have to keep on top of your game.”
What is the hardest thing about being an elite netballer? “No weekends, missing countless weddings and just time away from your family, friends, partner, dog etc. But I guess it makes time with them that much more special too and you make the most of it.”
What's the best thing? “Travel, the shopping – I've pretty much got a favourite shopping district in most of the main cities in New Zealand and Australia! And the friends as well, and you're playing the sport you love.”
What is the biggest development in netball you have witnessed? “Just professionalism in general – that's their training, their play, the incredible effort they put in every week, their coach puts in every week, their manager puts in every week. It's a whole life commitment.”
Which athlete, from any code, do you most admire? “Steve Gurney – because it's an individual sport so that amount of motivation and training is amazing, and to come back from a near-death experience. Roger Federer – for backing it up all the time. And Lance Armstrong – for knowing he's probably past his peak but getting out there and giving it a go anyway.”
What would people be surprised to learn about you? “I'd be very happy on a farm being a farmer.”
