Basketball New Zealand

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NZ Tall Fern Aneka Kerr (Photosport)

At just 26 years old, NZ Tall Fern ìveteranî Aneka Kerr was headed for early retirement before the Christchurch-based Australian WNBL franchise came along.

Two years, almost to the day, after her first ACL reconstruction, Kerr crumpled to the floor again last November and faced another long rehabilitation on the same left knee. It seemed like the end of the road.

ìI was always told that knee should be stronger after surgery,î she recalls. ìWhen it went again, the air was just knocked out of me.

ìAt the time, it was almost automatic Ö I couldnít do it all again.î

But perhaps the greatest quality Kerr, who is under sized (1.82m) for her position, brings to any team is her reputation as a battler. Just ask Aussie superstar Lauren Jackson.

This week, that toughness and experience were added to a Christchurch roster that now has five signings and another prospect – Tall Fern forward Lisa Wallbutton – fully committed to playing its debut season next summer.

Her inclusion also marks a return home of sorts for the Rangiora-born Kerr, whose family moved to Shepparton, just out of Melbourne, when she was a child. These days, she is based in Townsville, working as a teacher.

Now well down the path towards recovery, she is excited at the chance to join her international team-mates fulltime in their preparation towards the Beijing Olympics.

ìMy motivation has been the Olympics,î Kerr insists. ìBuilding up with the all the girls playing together in Christchuch in New Zealandís first professional womenís team Ö itís a big thing to be a part of.

ìMy rehab is going a bit better than after the last operation. The surgeon has done a different kind of procedure and has given me all the confidence in the world that it will be stronger this time.

ìItís pretty much a mental thing at the moment.î

Kerr debuted in the 1998 Australian WNBL for Dandenong and joined the Tall Fern programme the following year, narrowly missing selection for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Since then, she has become a regular member of the national team and produced her best performance at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she recorded a ìdouble doubleî in the upset win over China in pool play.

Kerr has now played more than 100 games in the Aussie league and, apparently, she is one opponent Jackson, widely regarded as the worldís best female basketballer, hates facing.

ìWe have a history,î chuckles Kerr. ìItís nothing personal.

ìWeíve played against each other since U12s and I guess, my whole career, I havenít really backed down to her. A lot of girls are overawed by her, but I take it as a challenge.

ìSheís the best player in the world Ö there is no better challenge.î

That attitude makes Kerr a valuable addition to the Christchurch franchise.

ìAneka is an experienced, battle-hardened WNBL player, who knows the game and has been around the league,î observes Fern coach Mike McHugh, who has overseen recruitment as Basketball New Zealand womenís coaching director.

ìShe has proven herself in international events and was great for us at Athens Ö she plays big in big games.

ìParticularly in a young team in that league, we needed someone with that experience.î

With player signings now well advanced, the next announcement is likely to be the appointment of a head coach, who will also assist McHugh with the national team.