Athletic defender Phoenix Karaka will attend her third World Cup in 2023 after also being part of the Silver Ferns title-winning 2019 and silver-winning 2015 events.

Karaka returned to the Silver Ferns for the Netball Quad Series in 2022 after time out for the birth of her daughter the previous year and subsequently lined up with the team in her first Commonwealth Games event the same year.

Having played for the Steel and Pulse before returning home to Auckland and the Mystics, experience has paid dividends for Karaka who made her Silver Ferns debut in 2014. Able to move comfortably between the two in-circle defensive positions, Karaka has a strong all-round skill set with her movement and ball handling ability while presents as a constant menace with her long reach and athletic ability.

Karaka has developed into a classy defender with her athleticism, tight marking, ability in the air and sense of awareness for the intercept.

Showing her versatility, athleticism and ability to adapt, Karaka was a key component in the midcourt for the FAST5 Ferns winning exploits during the 2016 FAST5 World Series.

Rising through the NZ U21 and NZSS teams, Karaka has built on a strong pedigree after being part of the 2013 World Youth Cup winning team.