28 Apr 2017

Netball team playing in Tania Dalton's memory wins gold

From Checkpoint, 5:30 pm on 28 April 2017

It was a golden end to the World Masters Games for the netball team known as the T-Bags, playing in Tania Dalton's memory.

The former Silver Fern died last month at the age of 45 after suffering a brain aneurysm rupture. She had been due to play at the Masters Games in Auckland, but instead a team made up of her friends and former team-mates played in her memory - and this afternoon won gold.

The 40-year-old-plus team was made up of former international and representative players including Silver Ferns shooter Leonie Leaver.

Former Silver Ferns captain Anna Stanley originally only signed up to compete in the 4 x 400m relay but, after Tania died, she was asked to take her place in the netball team.

Stanley said it was a fitting tribute to Dalton and she was astounded by the support during the tournament.

"I think it's just affected everyone because she was just such a well loved personality, not only in the netball world but just in general.

"It really affected people, she's a mother of three, fit, young and so this week's all been about her, honouring her. It's had a huge amount of significance to everyone that took the court and we've raised so much money for the [Tania Dalton Foundation] so it's been great."

Stanley said the team was full of emotion following the win and celebrated with a bottle of Moet.

"Obviously it's fantastic to come away with a gold medal, we would've loved to have had Tarns there celebrating but we certainly did everything we could in her honour."