From Grassroots to Greatness: Erikana Pedersen
“Tough Times Are Made Easier With Good People Around You!”
We’ve all got to start somewhere, and that adage is no different for our best and brightest netball superstars! From their humble roots at their local netball centre through to making it as a professional, all netty players share the same love for the game that was born through their childhood experiences on the courts. We take a trip back down memory lane with some of our ANZ Premiership legends to hear their own origin stories!
Erikana Pedersen leads from the front in her role as Tactix captain, and carries with her a lifelong love for netball born of her own experiences as a player – and a fan! Here she takes a trip down memory lane and reminisces about her own beginnings – and her no-nonsense advice for young netballers!
What was your first netball memory?
Playing for Arahoe Primary School at the Avondale netball courts every Saturday morning. Mum would always take me, and she’d be my loudest supporter on the sideline.
Can you remember why you wanted to play in the first place?
My mum encouraged me to play. I remember sitting on a bean bag at home the night before trials at primary school and mum going through each position on a whiteboard. I was so nervous!
Netball clubs are so important around Aotearoa - they help make up the fabric of the community and allow people to gather and make connections. Do you have any fond memories of yours?
I think when I moved to Intermediate I really felt the sense of community moving to Netball Waitākere. I played for Glen Eden Intermediate and Waitākere Reps, so every Saturday I would see my team mates and coaches who played in different school/club teams and there was this rivalry between all our teams. We’d play hard against each other on Saturday, and then the following day we would be in the same teams for reps and laughing about our on-court battles from the day before! I always remember all of our parents being super close and supporting each player like they were their own daughters.
Can you remember the moment when you decided that you wanted to play netball as a profession?
I remember watching the Diamonds when I was in primary school (who are now the Mystics) at their home games ,or on TV if they played away. During the quarter breaks I’d grab my netball and go out into my backyard and try all these moves I had just seen and imagined myself one day playing on tv just like them!
What part about netball brings you the greatest joy today?
The people. I have met so many close friends and mentors during my career who have been there through the ups and downs of sport.
What has netball taught you about life in general?
Two things - one, no matter what happens, there is always a silver lining to be found somewhere. And two, tough times are made easier with good people around you.
Greatness always begins at the grassroots level, and there are so many amazing volunteers and coaches and officials that give up their time across the country to make sure kids can play netball. Do you want to shout out anyone from your life who made a difference, and why?
Michele Wallace from Netball North Harbour. She is one of the most selfless people I know, always working hard to give back to the community.
How have your early playing days helped shape you into the player you are today?
Yes. I’ve had so many coaches from a very young age who really moulded me into the player I am today.
When you look at kids playing netball today, what are your thoughts?
I see kids wanting to learn structures, zones, wall defence and centre pass attack moves, however they haven’t quite nailed the basic skills of netball. I encourage kids to focus on nailing the basics like passing, catching, footwork and turning fully as this will help them progress into the fun stuff!