Every Friday of lockdown, LockerRoom will share posts from Kiwi sportswomen who’ve caught our eye with novel ways of keeping on top of their game at home.
This week we have Black Ferns making their own training equipment, a Kiwi professional cyclist virtually racing against riders around the world, and ANZ Premiership netballers calling their own backyard games.
Netball
Silver Ferns captain, Ameliaranne Ekanasio, is aiming for new goals. The Tainui descendant is learning Te Reo Māori through yoga in the comfort of her own circle. She will be sharing two new poses each day in Māori, so tune into her account to follow along with the 2019 Netball World Cup champion.
Swimming
At 94, Ngaire Galloway may be New Zealand’s oldest surviving Olympian, but she continues to make a splash.
As the the only woman and swimmer to represent New Zealand at the 1948 London Olympics, she travelled by boat with the New Zealand team of seven, and came up with some novel methods of training while in a kind of ‘lockdown’ aboard the ship.
Rugby
Black Fern hooker Luka Connor is not kidding around. The dynamic front rower, who made her New Zealand debut last year against Canada, is making the most of her time on the farm by getting in some sneaky squats in between shearing.
The Black Ferns hookers know how to throw down a challenge. Who needs a gym when you have the great outdoors?
Forne Burkin not only won a Farah Palmer Cup premiership in 2019 with Canterbury, but also takes the creativity award this week for her efforts with home-made equipment.
Netball
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic midcourter Sam Winders (nee Sinclair) is giving netball fans what they want – games.
The utility player pivoted and carried on with round three of the ANZ Premiership, the Magic against the Northern Mystics – staged in her Hamilton backyard with thanks to her ‘bubble’ teammates. She even managed to offer commentary in between plays.
Cycling
You can’t stop New Zealand pro cyclist Ella Harris venturing beyond her local community. The Canyon/SRAM team member hosted a virtual race with rivals from around the world using Zwift – an interactive software combining gaming and technology for cyclists and runners.
Karate
New Zealand Olympic hopeful Andrea Anacan is channelling her karate discipline, helping her brother recover from a cheeky cameo during her training session.
Karate is one of five new sports introduced for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. Baseball/softball, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing are also making their debut next year.
Sevens
Black Ferns sevens star Ruby Tui reveals where she keeps her many medals in the first episode of Sky Sport rugby series, Isolation Nation. Check out the other prized possessions she keeps in her closet, and what she needs to keep sane during lockdown.
Isolation Nation will take you into the homes of other top rugby players to find out what they’re up during lockdown, Wednesday and Sunday at 7.30pm on Sky Sport 1.
