Mesmerising! Bailey's Perfect Shot

Standing at the top of a grand staircase, Bailey Mes is looking a little unsure. The Silver Fern star shooter’s 1.87-metre frame – 1.90m when you consider the heels she’s just slipped into – wobbles ominously as she tries to pose for Woman’s Day’s photographer without breaking an ankle.

- Kelly Bertrand

As skilled as she is on the netball court, Bailey’s incredible gifts of coordination, agility and balance don’t seem to transfer to modelling floor-length dresses and stiletto heels on stairs. “Don’t worry, I’m fine!” she yells, after a particularly precarious twirl. She grins as she flicks her foot skyward, a trail of scarlet billowing behind her.

In front of the lens is a remarkably confident, free-spirited and self-assured woman, who is thrilled to be trying on designer frocks and shoes. “I’ve tried to do that thing this year where you don’t buy anything new,” she reveals as she eyes up a bright green blouse. “I’ve been pretty good at it! Maybe until today ...”

But as the statuesque 28-year-old clamours out of her glam ensemble and back into a T-shirt and jeans, she admits How the fierce Silver Fern found her fighting spirit it’s taken her a long time to become that woman, especially considering the difficult few years she’s had.

Bailey was 23 years old when, after playing just one-quarter of a game in the ANZ Championship 2012 season, she was chosen for the Ferns. For a long while after the shock selection, every fumble, mistake or missed shot came under intense scrutiny and criticism. The young athlete admits the pressure got to her.

“People were horrible,” she recalls, shaking her head. “Looking back on the whole thing, I’m just like, ‘Wow. What even happened?’