Ekenasio and Levi share special moment in history

For Silver Fern Ameliaranne Ekenasio and her NZ Men’s Invitational team shooting counterpart Junior Levi, a return to their roots has had special meaning during the current Cadbury Netball Series.

In an historic occasion, men and women have shared the same court during an international series, also involving the All Stars and Fiji Pearls, and live television coverage, for the first time.

From an association first forged in Queensland, Ekenasio and Levi were shining lights under their respective hoops for the first public match-up between the two teams in a spirited, entertaining and evenly contested outing which the men won by four goals.

“Playing in this series is the most humbling experience,” Levi said.

“I think I stand on the backs of a lot of men who have done this behind closed doors in support of the Ferns and we’ve always held them in high esteem. Just to be able to be a part of their preparation is super humbling, so big ups for the innovation behind this whole event.

“This is bigger than netball and I’m so proud that New Zealand is at the forefront of that, just leading the way world-wide for netball and hopefully this is step towards bigger and better things”

Both players developed their netball careers in Queensland but strong connections across the Tasman has the pair proudly lining up in New Zealand colours.

The stylish Ekenasio, who was born in Queensland and is of Ngapuhi descent, made the permanent move to New Zealand in 2014, going on to make her Silver Ferns debut the same year.

For Levi, an Auckland-born Samoan, who stands a towering 2.18m, and is a former Australian netball captain, now living in Melbourne, the move back to New Zealand colours was the perfect fit.

“I’ve wanted to come back for the longest time,” he said.

“Nothing feels wrong about what’s here (with New Zealand). I feel like my heart’s here and I feel at home. I got really emotion in both games we’ve played, in the changing room, just wearing black and white feels so good.

“Ameliaranne grew up in Queensland playing, so we’re both like the little Queensland ex-pats but it’s good to be home, and just like Ameliaranne, everything feels awesome here.

“She came up through the ranks in Queensland and we both played each other a couple of times in indoor netball and also trained with each other in full court. So just seeing her here after she made the move a few years ago, I’m just really proud of her. And now that I’m here as well, just following in her footsteps, she led the way.”

With the series playing a key role in the Silver Ferns preparation for next month’s Vitality Netball Cup in Liverpool, coach Noeline Taurua couldn’t have been happier with the challenge of the skillset, physicality, height and diversity the men provided her team.

“The physicality was enormous, I thought we fought really hard and turned over a lot of ball and I’m really pleased with our performance,’’ she said of last night’s clash.

“It was a great step-up in regards to our intensity against the All Stars and I just want to keep that going.

“Our overall objective with this series is getting ourselves ready for the worlds and the back-to-back games and we just need to keep improving from day-to-day where our intensity and mental attitude remains at a high level.”