Van Dyk asked for $1.45million

Netball is a prominent topic of discussion around Chez Llew... I live with 2 experts...

and so it was with some interest that we noted today's news item on Irene Van Dyk's counter offer to the Mahoney Corporation's pitch for the star to move back to the Wellington Shakers.

Stuff.co.nz: Costly van Dyk stunned sponsor

The headline on the front page screams: "$1.45m, What Van Dyk wanted to play in Wellington"

Sounds to me like she doesn't want to play in Wellington at all. And who could blame her? In fact, the article actually states:

"that she was not interested in playing for the Shakers and would finish her career with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic"

But I have some sympathy for Mike Mahoney:

"Mahoney said he had gone public with the attempt to secure van Dyk because he was upset at suggestions the Shakers were doing nothing to attract players."

And while I don't blame him for being upset, I do actually disagree strongly with suggestions like this - Shakers look to be dogmeat again - that "The problem of underachieving lies in successive years of poor enticement and recruitment of star players to the franchise by the Shakers board and sponsors."

Bullshit.

In my opinion, the problem lies in successive years of poor selection & talent development.

I've seen the Shakers that will be in 10 years time, and they'll be dogmeat then too, while the real talent gives up in frustration & moves on to other sports. And interestingly, I'm paraphrasing someone who probably knows...

If we have to rely on attracting stars from other regions, then we don't deserve a representative netball team.

The problem lies squarely with the coaches, and selectors. Take off your blinkers, guys & gals. First class sport is about who performs best, learn to recognise those who do.