The 20-year-old Steel defender has been part of the New Zealand A side for the past two seasons but the promotion was unexpected.
‘‘I was over the moon. I've been wanting this ever since I was a little kid, and when she told me, I was speechless,'' Grant said, still flush with excitement a day later.
After the call, she skipped down the corridor of her Dundas St flat and shared the good news with her flatmates, then phoned her family.
‘‘Dad was really stoked but I don't think it has sunk in for Mum yet. They've been wanting this almost has much as I have, really.''
Grant, born in Auckland and 1.85m tall, was a member of the successful New Zealand under-21 team that won gold at the 2005 World Youth Cup. She joined the Otago Rebels in 2006.
Last season, she made a habit of picking off intercepts and formed a formidable defensive duo with former Australian defender Demelza Fellowes.
After strong performances during Silver Ferns training camps this year, she was added to the squad.
Grant is the first to admit making a squad of 15 is a long way off getting on court. But cracking that starting seven is a firm goal.
‘‘That would be amazing. Imagine that - getting on the court.''
Grant will have to wait a little longer before she gets to pull on the national bib. The national side is not scheduled to assemble again until after the ANZ championships, and the players have been instructed to concentrate on playing well for their franchises.
The Steel fly to Australia today for a pre-season tournament in Sydney and Grant is looking forward to the trip.
