For the Love of the Jersey?
Posted by Sportsfreak on
Friday, 24 November 2006
Less than a month ago, Vilimaina Davu announced her retirement from the Silver Ferns. At the time, speculation was rife that that she would be returning to her home country of Fiji as their national coach – speculation that was met with flat denial from the player herself. Three weeks later, the supposed speculation was confirmed.
As a professional sportswoman, it is obvious that Davu is free to ply her trade wherever she feels best suited. But for some, her predicament leaves a somewhat sour taste.
Davu left her native Fiji in 2000 after playing 55 tests. She then moved to New Zealand, embraced the nation as her own, pledged allegiance to her new flag and was willing to take on her old homeland - all in less than a year. Couple that with the indecent haste shown by the national selectors in the case of Irene van Dyk – who seemed to be in New Zealand for all of 5 minutes before becoming a dyed in the wool Kiwi and lacing up the Silver Ferns bib – and it is easy to see why netball is a laughing stock of world sport. Chuck in Leana de Bruin for good measure, and people start to squirm a little.
The sport even gives Rugby League a brief respite.
To its credit, in May 2004 International Netball tightened up some of the more ludicrous loopholes in its qualification criteria. At least now if you have no tie to a particular country, you have to live there for a minimum of 24 months before the question of eligibility rears its ugly head. Not so a few years back, when it was possible for a player to represent more than one country in a calendar year – in fact Davu and van Dyk did just that in 2000.
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" it was possible for a player to represent more than one country in a calendar year " |
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On the surface, it may seem a little unfair to pick out Davu - after all, she was only playing by the rules laid out for her. But her real allegiance to New Zealand must be questioned. Ultimately, she used the rules to her advantage to eke out a professional career in this country after playing a not insignificant number of tests for Fiji. Then, after playing 57 tests for her adopted country, she turns around and wants to utilise the knowledge that she has gained as a “New Zealander” against them. Thanks Vilimaina.
If a player moves countries, it is a given that they be able to represent their new homeland once eligibility criteria is met. Most would have no problem with that whatsoever – provided that the reasons are proved to be genuine, and for the good of the national team. In the case of Davu, the jury remains out.
Again, it must be stressed that Vilimaina Davu did not make up the rules. But she did decide to use them to her best financial advantage. As a professional sportsperson, there is nothing wrong with that – until you are brought to task about where your allegiances really lie. If they lie with your wallet, fair enough, that’s your living.
Just don’t expect us to believe it’s for the love of the jersey – we’ve heard it all before.
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