As far as hens’ parties go, former Silver Fern Joline Henry’s week-long Rarotongan escapade has to be up there as one of the best.
When the Weekly catches up with the stunning netballer and three of her four bridesmaids – Ferns’ team-mates Maria Tutaia and Casey Kopua, as well as One News sports presenter Jenny-May Clarkson – in sunny Rarotonga, the girls are still puffed from a morning of Cross-Fit. Yes, even on holiday, the athletic bunch still insist on gym workouts.
“We had to!” laughs Joline (33). “The girls have made sure I’m having a very, very good time – we’ve made a real effort to touch base with all of the establishments that offer cocktails!”
It’s a time of celebration for Joline and her best mates, one of which is her childhood friend and fourth bridesmaid Erena Mikaere-Most, who couldn’t come to Raro. Of course, Joline, or Jols as the girls calls her, is preparing to marry the love of her life and partner of 10 years, Leif Johansson, this summer.
But it’s also a chance for the foursome to catch up and reconnect during a time of massive change.
Joline has hung up her netball bib after more than 10 years in the national side and is now training to be a yoga teacher. She’s a mother – to two-year-told Te Aihireinga – and is about to become a married woman. But she knew she couldn’t tie the knot without first spending some quality time with the women that have given her so much through the years.
“We’ve never been together like this before,” she says. “It’s a real treat for all of us – especially as we don’t have to worry about netball or a schedule. Well, apart from the one that Mama Jenny-May has us on – she’s definitely the organised one!”
‘We’ve never been together like this before. It’s a real treat for all of us’
The girls have spent their Rarotongan escape relaxing, sunbathing and eating – though the first half has been taken up with trying to teach Maria how to ride a scooter.
“That was wet-yourself laughing material,” Joline grins. “It was the most hysterical thing I’ve ever seen. She finally learnt how to turn the ignition, but then she couldn’t get it around the roundabouts.”
Joline and Maria also got into a spot of bother, like when they decided to jump off a wharf in town, “just like the locals do”. But they soon realised the tide was out and the water level was so low, they couldn’t reach the ladder to get back to safety.
“We figured out that’s why no one else was jumping! We laughed about it for five minutes, treading water. Well, I was holding Maria up because she can’t swim, and then we put Maria on my shoulders to try and reach the ladder, but I just sank! Eventually, a nice Kiwi man heard our cries for help and pulled us out.”
In spite of these hilarious hiccups, the group managed to get some quality time together – even dragging their mattresses into the lounge of their five-bedroom holiday home to sleep side-by-side.
While Joline knows Maria (28), Casey (30) and Jenny-May (41) all through netball, each friendship is remarkably different, she explains.
“I remember when I first saw Maria,” Joline says, smiling. “She was this young, fresh-as, naïve girl with frizzy hair, which she used to flatten with an actual iron. I remember thinking, ‘Where on earth have they plucked her from?’
“But then, a few years later, we both made the Ferns and were room-mates on tour – it was the tiniest room. And ever since, we’ve just grown to love each other. She’s part of me and my family.
“I could tell her absolutely anything, and she’d still be there and love me afterwards.
If I was in jail, she’d be the one who I’d ring to bail me out… actually, no I couldn’t!” Joline laughs. “She’d probably be in there with me! That’s when we’d ring Jenny-May!”
In fact, Jenny-May, who is four-months pregnant with twins, is the first person Joline turns to for advice and help, after first meeting her when she was 17 and had just moved to the Waikato to play netball.
“She treated me like her own,” nods Joline. “A lot of my actions and decisions have been moulded by her friendship. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have put myself out there as much. She’s absolutely amazing.”
The netballing greats made sure Joline’s sarong song to single life was a good one!
And as for Casey, Joline doesn’t know how they became so close – it just happened.
“She’s just neat to be around. There are no barriers with her. I’ve watched her grow so much, I’m very proud of her. She was there, with Maria, when I had my son – not that I invited them. They just turned up! I really do have the most amazing friends.”
It was a no-brainer who she wanted to be in her bridal party. Casey and Jenny-May, as well as her joint maids-of honour, Erena and Maria, will walk down the aisle with her.
“I’m so excited!” Joline enthuses. “Leif and I have been together for so long, but I wasn’t sure if we’d ever get married.
“I’m not a person who likes to succumb to peer pressure, and when everyone kept asking when he was going to pop the question, I said to him, ‘Baby, I’m in no hurry. If it’s not right for you, I’d rather we didn’t.’”
But the high-school teacher got down on one knee during a holiday to Santorini, Greece, last August, much to Joline’s surprise. And now, as she prepares for the biggest day of her life, Joline still can’t quite believe how fortunate she is to have these amazing women by her side.
“I’m so lucky,” she says. “Netball has given me so many things, but one of the best parts has been the friends I’ve made – they’re for life. I’ll be eternally grateful to the game for that!”
All revved for romance, the girls are playing a big part in their bestie Joline’s big day.
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