Langman back at netball champs Lightning

The dream has come true for New Zealand mid-court ace Laura Langman, who will re-join Super Netball champions Sunshine Coast Lightning and be eligible to play for the Silver Ferns.

The 32-year-old Kiwi played in Lightning's first title win last year, when she was ineligible to represent New Zealand because she was playing overseas.

She didn't return to Queensland for year two of the competition, when Lightning clinched back-to-back titles.

However, Netball New Zealand have relaxed their eligibility qualifications and granted Langman a 12-month exemption under the Silver Ferns selection policy, enabling her to rejoin Lightning.

"It was a club that has a real focus on its people and for me that really resonates," Langman said.

"My time there, it makes you want to be a professional athlete for the rest of your life.

"I've got an exemption, which is absolutely fantastic, so I will do my New Zealand commitments until maybe February, and then head across the ditch and start with the Lightning for pre-season.

"I'm really excited. It's been a dream, to be honest, to be able to play in Super Netball, but also still be able to play for the Ferns, so I'm really pumped for what 2019 has in store."

Langman was the first frontline Silver Fern to switch to an Australian club in the old trans-Tasman competition, in which she turned out for the NSW Swifts in 2016.

Returning to Lightning will reunite her with coach Noeline Tauraua, who like Langman, will also split her time next year between the Sunshine Coast and the Silver Ferns.

Tauraua was last week announced as the new Silver Ferns coach and will juggle that position along with the Lightning post which she was already contracted to for 2019.

Prior to playing under Tauraua at Lightning in in 2017, Langman was also coached by her for several seasons at the Magic trans-Tasman franchise.

"What I admire about Noels is she's really holistic in how she she approaches the game," Langman said.

"I love the constant challenge she presents.

"She has such great nous for the game.

"I'm hugely excited to be under her leadership again, but on both sides of the Tasman."