Silver Ferns and NZA squads named for Cadbury Netball Series
The National Selectors and head coach Dame Noeline Taurua have named the Silver Ferns and New Zealand A series squads to compete in this week’s Cadbury Netball Series in Palmerston North.
The two squads come together for matches between the Silver Ferns, NZA, NZU21 and NZ Men from 21-24 October at Fly Palmy Arena.
The Silver Ferns, NZA and NZU21 squads were all in camp last week in Wellington for a second national training camp.
Silver Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua said it was exciting to be working together and finding ways to integrate and strengthen the respective programmes and she believes it is an important step for New Zealand netball moving forward.
The Silver Ferns have named 15 players for the series and will name a game day team of 12 for each match during the Cadbury Netball Series.
NZA will carry a core squad of 11 players with the three players not included in each Silver Ferns match to get game time with NZA. The side is coached by Marianne Delaney-Hoshek and assistant coach Gail Parata.
Taurua said this strategy was about building depth not only in this cycle of four years but also beyond.
“We have the Netball World Youth Cup next year, and of course the Cadbury Netball Series and Taini Jamison Trophy against England is upon us. We need to leverage off each other and put ourselves under pressure so we can showcase the best possible product out on court for Cadbury Netball Series,” Taurua said.
“We even have players in the NZA that will shift to NZU21 so I couldn’t be happier than I am now.
“I’m expecting the competition in this Cadbury Netball Series to be as best as it can be as we look further ahead to naming a team of 12 to take on England later this month.”
Bailey Mes, Katrina Rore and Temalisi Fakahokotau were unavailable for selection for the Cadbury Netball Series due to injury management and medical reasons. The Silver Ferns medical team will continue to manage their programmes as they will be expected to resume international duties in early 2021.
A Silver Ferns team to play England in a three-Test Series, starting 28 October, will be named on Sunday 25 October.
SILVER FERNS CADBURY NETBALL SERIES SQUAD
Shooters:
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Monica Falkner
Grace Nweke *first appearance for Silver Ferns
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Maia Wilson
Midcourters:
Gina Crampton
Claire Kersten
Kimiora Poi
Shannon Saunders
Whitney Souness
Sam Winders
Defenders:
Karin Burger
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Kelly Jury
Jane Watson
NZ A CADBURY NETBALL SERIES SQUAD
Shooters:
Ellie Bird
Aliyah Dunn
Jamie Hume
Midcourters:
Tayla Earle
Maddy Gordon
Kate Heffernan
Defenders:
Kate Burley
Oceane Maihi
Erena Mikaere
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson
*Georgia Tong (subject to medical clearance)
2020 CADBURY NETBALL SERIES
Fly Palmy Arena, Palmerston North
Wednesday 21 October
6pm: NZ U21s v NZ Men
8pm: Silver Ferns v NZ A
Thursday 22 October
6pm: NZ A v NZ U21s
8pm: Silver Ferns v NZ Men
Friday 23 October
6pm: NZ Men v NZ A
8pm: Silver Ferns v NZ U21s
Saturday 24 October
6pm: Third place playoff
8pm: Final