Versatile Canterbury defender Annette Heffernan made her international debut in 1985 which proved a busy and successful year for the Silver Ferns. The New Zealanders went unbeaten at the Australia Games, which included the hosts, England and Trinidad & Tobago, produced a 2-0 clean sweep against Trinidad & Tobago at home before ending the season with a four-match unbeaten tour of the UK and ultimate success in the Netball World Cup final which followed.

Heffernan was a strong utility who could cover all three defensive positions and as such was a natural selection for the 1986 team and the all-important 1987 Netball World Cup team. Heffernan’s ability as an in-circle defender as well as being an accomplished wing defence made her a key asset.

An untimely knee injury on the eve of the Netball World Cup limited Heffernan’s involvement in the Silver Ferns title-winning exploits that year, playing in just one match. But the tall and hard-working Heffernan showed her all-round classy defensive qualities by regaining selection in the 1988, 1989 and 1990 Silver Ferns teams.