Katrina's Nail-Biting Year ‘I Don't Take Anything For Granted'

After a rollercoaster year, she’s fighting fit once more!

- Kelly Bertrand

I swear I’m just not meant for smooth sailing.” You’ll never die wondering what Katrina Rore (nee Grant) thinks. The Silver Ferns star operates a fairly unfiltered approach to life, but the past year has left even her a little bit speechless.

While she’s now able to laugh about it through her chat with the Weekly, Katrina (32) admits she’s been through the absolute wringer over the last, rather sensational, 18 months that saw her enjoy the highest of highs and suffer the lowest of lows.

“Okay, so here’s how it happened,” she says with a wry smile and holding up her fingers to count down.

“First was Commonwealth Games – the worst finish we’ve ever had,” she begins. Netball fans will remember the heartbreaking moment Katrina burst into tears when asked if she had any pride left in the black dress following the Ferns’ devastating loss to England.

“But then I got engaged,” she continues. “Played some netball, then I got married to Joel, the most amazing man. A week later, I got dropped from the team. Then, the Pulse won an ANZ Premiership. Then I made the World Cup team − and then I got injured.

“I mean, come on. I feel like the last year has aged me about 10. It’s like the sport universe was saying, ‘Here’s your dream... oh wait, just kidding!’”

Comparing her last year or so in the black bib to a rollercoaster almost seems too much of an understatement for the talented defender, and Katrina admits she was “gutted” to be left out of the squad. While she tried to be philosophical about the decision, it hurt.