Teams named for upcoming international campaigns

There are plenty of opportunities ahead for a large group of New Zealand’s elite netballers, with teams named for the Taini Jamison Trophy and Constellation Cup as well as the FAST5 Netball World Series and New Zealand A.  

The NZA team will have a training match against England before they take on the Silver Ferns in match one of the Taini Jamison Trophy on Sunday 24 September in Christchurch.  

The four teams have been confirmed by Netball New Zealand selectors in what Silver Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua describes as a great mix of young internationals who are the future of the Silver Ferns.     

“We took a number of young players away with us to the Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup who have gained valuable experience from both pinnacle events which will also work towards setting us up for the next four-year cycle.  

“And then we’ve had some young netballers who have been knocking on the door this year with their performances at ANZ Premiership level and who are preparing to be ready to challenge for selections and who I believe want to make an impression when they get the opportunity in the black dress.     

“We take the knock from South Africa, learn the lessons, identify our strengths and reconfigure our systems.  Then we grab the opportunities we have in the Cadbury Netball Series playing for the Taini Jamison Trophy against England and the Constellation Cup against Australia.”   

There are two new caps across the Test matches with shooter Amelia Walmsley headlining the Silver Ferns team to play in this month’s Cadbury Netball Series against England, while defender Kate Burley is in line for her debut after being named for the Constellation Cup against Australia. 

The Silver Ferns hope to have shooter Grace Nweke back in action for the four-Test series against Australia after she was ruled out early on in last month’s World Cup with a partial tear of her patella tendon. Her inclusion in the playing side will be subject to medical clearance. 

Wing attack Peta Toeava is on a graduated return to play programme and has been named in the New Zealand A side to play England, while she will also train in camp with the Silver Ferns. 

Alongside Toeava, the NZA team features defender Michaela Sokolich-Beatson who makes a return to the elite programme for the first time in four years.

Sokolich-Beatson has 11 caps for the Silver Ferns, making her debut in 2018, but suffered two ruptured Achilles tendons within the space of nine months ruling her out of action in 2020 and 2021. 

Taurua said these teams could be an insight into what the future of Silver Ferns netball could look like in the years to come.

A FAST5 Ferns team of 10 has been confirmed for November’s FAST5 Netball World Series in Christchurch, featuring both Nweke and Sokolich-Beatson along with four members of the bronze medal winning side from last year. 

 

SILVER FERNS  
Taini Jamison Trophy vs England 

Karin Burger 
Ameliaranne Ekenasio  
Maddy Gordon 
Kate Heffernan 
Kelly Jury 
Phoenix Karaka 
Tiana Metuarau 
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan 
Whitney Souness 
Amelia Walmsley  
Jane Watson 
Maia Wilson 

SILVER FERNS  
Constellation Cup vs Australia 
 
Karin Burger 
Kate Burley 
Ameliaranne Ekenasio  
Maddy Gordon 
Kate Heffernan 
Kelly Jury 
Phoenix Karaka 
Tiana Metuarau 
Grace Nweke* 
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan 
Whitney Souness 
Amelia Walmsley 
Jane Watson 
Maia Wilson 

*Subject to medical clearance 

NEW ZEALAND A 
vs England 
 
Tayla Earle 
Georgia Heffernan 
Fa’amu Ioane 
Paris Lokotui 
Amorangi Malesala 
Kimiora Poi 
Michaeal Sokolich-Beatson  
Carys Stythe 
Elle Temu 
Peta Toeava** 
Saviour Tui 
 
**Graduated return to play programme 

FAST5 FERNS 
FAST5 Netball World Series 

Kate Burley 
Tayla Earle 
Paris Lokotui 
Amorangi Malesala 
Tiana Metuarau 
Grace Nweke* 
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson 
Whitney Souness 
Elle Temu 
Maia Wilson 

*Subject to medical clearance