She has bucked the family trend to chase her sporting dreams, instead of pursuing the creative world of performing arts like her father Jay — a renowned actor and singer — and several of her siblings, including younger sister Catherine, who is forging a name for herself in Hollywood as the lead in Disney’s upcoming live-action Moana movie.
One of eight children in the talented Laga’aia whanau, the New Zealand-born midcourter has been racking up a raft of accolades in the highly-competitive Australian netball scene.
Jessie, 26, has now added the Southern Steel to her flourishing list of accomplishments, recruited as a last-minute replacement for captain Kimiora Poi and midcourter Ashleigh Poi, who were both ruled out of last Sunday’s game with injury.
It was a baptism of fire but, despite being thrust into the pivotal centre role a mere 48 hours after meeting her new team, Laga’aia executed it with aplomb.
‘‘It was really unexpected, but I am super stoked and having such a great time,’’ she said.
Laga’aia admitted she was probably a surprise for fans when handed the starting bib.
‘‘I was thinking ‘all these people are seeing me run on and they have no idea who I am’,’’ she said.
The Kiwi style of netball was a steep learning curve.
‘‘The quality of players here is just as strong as in Australia, it’s the structures that are so different which I’m still getting my head around. The intensity is still there — it’s just the way New Zealanders use their body is a lot different to what we get in Australia.
‘‘And the tactics to attack against that kind of defence is completely different as well, so it has been an adjustment,’’ Laga’aia said.
‘‘For me it’s an opportunity to learn a new style of play and understand the New Zealand system a bit more. I didn’t actually realise how different this style was until I’ve come over and been immersed in it. It’s such a cool way to play and it’s so efficient — there’s definitely things I will be bringing back to Australia with me.’’
Netball’s elite domestic leagues have seen the game evolve globally as players from around the world travel to hone their skills and advance their respective careers.
Several Silver Ferns switching to the SSN has been a topic of hot debate on this side of the Tasman. But Laga’aia was an advocate.
‘‘SSN has always been international and it’s always been the best of the best that’s playing there so it’s only right that the New Zealand girls get the opportunity to come over and experience that as well,’’ she said.
Her team-first approach stems from her upbringing with seven siblings.
‘‘A lot of people ask if we were competitive with each other and that was almost never the case. Sometimes when you have so many actors in one space all auditioning for the same roles, sometimes one gets it and two miss out, but that was never an issue for any of us.’’
She was incredibly proud of her family’s creative pursuits.
‘‘When mum put me into piano lessons, apparently I cried all the way through them, so I knew from a young age that it probably wasn’t my pathway.
‘‘I’m very competitive so I think I also realised very early that everyone else is really good at it and I wasn’t as good, so I was like ‘what else can I do instead?’.’’
The Laga’aia clan will unite in Los Angeles on July 10 for the world premiere of Moana, which also stars Hollywood star Dwayne ‘The Rock’’ Johnson.
‘‘We are all heading over to support Catherine. I can’t even stress how proud I am. I am proud of them all, but this is like a step up even for the family. Dad has done some incredible things, but a live action Disney film is insane,’’ Laga’aia said.
‘‘I spent a lot of time on set with her so to be able to see the full product and see her shine, and for everyone to see her talent, is very exciting.’’
Laga’aia will continue writing her own script.
‘‘I’m still looking to pursue international netball and, if I had the choice, it would be with New Zealand so that is something that I am also working towards.’’
— Allied Media
