Defender Elle Temu to miss 2024 ANZ Premiership

Robinhood Stars defender Elle Temu has confirmed she will not be available for the 2024 ANZ Premiership with plans to head to Australia next year.

The 24-year-old, who made her debut for the Silver Ferns last year, will join her partner Isaiah Papali’i who is based in Sydney playing for the West Tigers in the NRL.

Temu said it had been a difficult decision to step away from New Zealand’s elite domestic league but she was also looking forward to spending time with her partner.

“It has been a tough few years where our sporting commitments have meant we are rarely in the same place at the same time,” she said. 

“This is my opportunity to take some time out and join Isaiah in Australia.

“Netball will however remain a focus for me and after my taste in the black dress last year, I know that I’m certainly not finished with the Silver Ferns.”

The sporting duo have spent little time together in recent years, due firstly to the global pandemic, and with Papali’i moving from the Warriors to Australian-based teams the Parramatta Eels and then the West Tigers this year.

Temu, who is the daughter of former Warriors and Newcastle league player Jason Temu, said she was not certain what next year would hold for her in terms of playing netball, but hoped to be involved at some level in Australia.

Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua said she wished Temu well and would remain in contact with the defender.

“Elle is still very young in her netball career and has shown the heights she can reach having made her Silver Ferns debut last year,” Taurua said.

“We understand the commitment that our elite athletes make year after year, and it is important for us to support their life choices outside of netball as well. I certainly believe we haven’t seen the last of Elle in the black dress, but we wish her well for this next chapter away from the netball court.”

Having played in this year’s ANZ Premiership, Temu will remain in contention for the Silver Ferns international schedule for the remainder of the year.