I've had a love-hate relationship with netball and recently decided to give the sport a chance to win back my heart.
So determined was I to cut the bib strings and tie the boot strings, trading in the round ball for the oval ball back in my university days, that I focused on all the restrictions associated with netball and associated rugby with freedom.
No longer did I have to stand there while my nails were checked, hold the ball for three seconds or less, stay in a small, confined space, and do my best not to knock into anyone else (not easy for a clumsy oaf like myself).
I discovered rugby, which was so liberating for me at the time.
I could hold the ball for as long as I liked (if off the ground), and I could run the whole length of the field (if my legs could carry me that far).
If I knocked into someone, they didn't turn around and give me the evils, and no-one checked the length of my nails or sprigs.
Other perks I hadn't considered included not having to get up early in the morning to play on icy courts in a pleated skirt (yes, I'm old), not having to stay around afterwards to umpire the next game and get abused in the process, and also having opportunities to socialise with team-mates in the clubroom environment that netball lacked at the time.
I thought I had found heaven in the shape of an oval ball.
However, since retiring from rugby, I have rediscovered netball.
Playing social netball was a comfortable induction back into the sport but physically it was hard.
Although the court is smaller than a rugby field, it is exhausting trying to be agile and evasive in such a small area.
And the art of passing into space and moving without banging into others unnecessarily is something to be admired.
Netball is also one of few sports that truly encourages teamwork because the ball has to be touched in each third.
Did you know New Zealand netball was different from other nations' versions of the game for a while because we played with nine players and not seven? Decision-makers at the time did not want to reduce the number of players because they didn't want to leave anyone out of the game.
As a fledgling feminist (yes, I mentioned the "F" word), I thought netball represented repression and constraints imposed on women because I had learned in a history lecture that netball was an adapted version of basketball introduced to New Zealanders as an appropriate game for ladies to play.
Now, as a woman who has tasted the freedom of rugby, I realise that netball is what you make it.
As a social sport, it has provided me with an opportunity to stay active after retiring from rugby, and I can laugh with my mates and work colleagues about how unco-ordinated we all are.
As a product I watch on television (and occasionally live), it is growing on me.
At least there are no cases of eye gouging and reports of drunken brawling associated with netball.
To the untrained ear, the constant whistle-blowing in netball seems to disrupt play, but if you observe closely you'll notice the players never stand there arguing with the umpire, seek clarification, or ask for the TV referee to be involved.
The whistles and incessant banging of those blown-up sticks by the spectators just add to the hype of the event.
So I was stoked to hear the Pulse had finally won its first game after 24 losses over two seasons.
The drought has finally been lifted for this team and let's hope it holds on tight to that feeling of victory so it can be repeated.
The Magic also managed a first for the New Zealand franchises by winning on Australian soil.
And last but not least, the Steel held on against the Thunderbirds to jump up the points table and compete for a semifinal spot.
The tension, drama, and competitiveness is rising, and as a discerning sport consumer I am starting to think my leisure time is better spent supporting netball after being less than satisfied with the All Black performance against the Italians.
Of course I still love rugby, but there is room in my heart to love other codes.
As a woman, the least I can do is choose to spend my discretionary time supporting women's sports like netball and taking the time to see how women like Serena and Venus Williams are doing on Court 2 at Wimbledon.
