NEWCASTLE netball star Lara Welham is set to reignite her national netball career after signing to play for the NSW Swifts in this year's trans-Tasman competition.
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Welham put the finishing touches on her first trans-Tasman contract last night, minutes before joining her NSW Swifts teammates on court for her first training session.
The 28-year-old shooter or goal attack last played competition netball for the Brunel Hurricanes in the England Superleague in April 2008.
Welham could be on court when the Swifts play Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane on March 21.
The former Hunter Jaegers star was called into the squad as a late replacement for Kim Borger, who is likely to miss the season because of a stress fracture in her foot.
"I got a phone call from Julie [Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald] last Monday and she asked me if I was interested," Welham told The Herald yesterday.
"She told me that Kim was out injured and there was a spot there for me if I wanted.
"I said 'sure, why not'. It'll be a great opportunity."
Welham started her national league career as a bit-part player with the Sydney Sandpipers in 2002 and was set to give it away at the end of 2003 before the advent of the Hunter Jaegers.
Welham, who was born and bred in Newcastle, jumped at the chance to represent her home town in the national league for four seasons.
Queensland import Jane Menzies and Welham were the only two players to play every game for the Jaegers in four seasons before the new trans-Tasman competition put an end to the Newcastle team in 2007.
Welham went straight to England on a working holiday and played for the Hurricanes from November 2007 to April 2008.
"I pretty much just went travelling after that and I haven't played anything since then," Welham laughed. "I've been doing a fair bit of fitness work anyway but I'll still be a long way behind the girls, because they've been training since before Christmas.
"I've got a lot of hard work ahead of me but I know what's required and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Welham is living in East Maitland and working two days a week as a PE teacher at Wadalba Community School, on the Central Coast.
She plans to travel to Sydney for training and stay on weekends for matches while juggling her work commitments.
