New-look Silver Ferns squad announced
August 15, 2018
Netball New Zealand is pleased to announce the 2018/19 Silver Ferns squad, along with the team to compete in next month’s Netball Quad Series.
The national selection panel has confirmed a 17-strong squad which features an exciting mix of fresh faces while a wealth of experience comes back into the fold.
The success of this year’s ANZ Premiership has exposed new talent providing plenty of depth across the board, while former captain Casey Kopua and mid-courter Laura Langman return to bolster the squad.
Mid-courters Karin Burger (Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse) and Elisapeta Toeava (SKYCITY Mystics) along with shooter Aliyah Dunn (Pulse) are new faces in this year’s squad.
Both Burger and Dunn featured strongly in the ANZ Premiership Grand Final and have had stand-out seasons for the Pulse, while dynamic wing Toeava added flair, speed and sublime ball skills up front for the Mystics.
The return of veterans Langman and Kopua also feature in the new-look squad with the duo bringing the combined experience of 242 Test caps.
Langman last wore the black dress in October 2016 while Kopua, who captained the Waikato-BOP Magic in the ANZ Premiership, stepped away from the international game in 2015.
Netball New Zealand is currently in the process of recruiting a new Silver Ferns head coach with an appointment to be announced as soon as possible.
The Silver Ferns open their international season on September 15 against the English Roses in the Netball Quad Series at Spark Arena in Auckland.
Fans will also notice a new-look Silver Ferns dress during the Netball Quad Series, with Netball New Zealand proud to announce PUMA as a new premier partner of the Silver Ferns.
General Manager of PUMA Oceania Pancho Gutstein said PUMA was committed to strengthening and enabling high performance sport for women.
“Supporting women’s sport is something that we are very passionate about. We’ve designed the Silver Ferns new PUMA dress with Netball New Zealand specifically to enhance the performance of players and we can’t wait to see it out on the court,” he said.
2018/19 SILVER FERNS SQUAD
Karin Burger – Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse
Gina Crampton – Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel
Aliyah Dunn – Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse
Ameliaranne Ekenasio – Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse
Temalisi Fakahokotau – Silvermoon Tactix
Maria Folau – SKYCITY Mystics
Katrina Grant – Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse
Kelly Jury – Waikato-BOP Magic
Casey Kopua – Waikato-BOP Magic
Laura Langman
Bailey Mes – SKYCITY Mystics
Te Paea Selby-Rickit – Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel
Sam Sinclair – Waikato-BOP Magic
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson – SKYCITY Mystics
Elisapeta Toeava – SKYCITY Mystics
Jane Watson – Silvermoon Tactix
Maia Wilson – Northern Stars
SILVER FERNS TEAM – NETBALL QUAD SERIES
Karin Burger
Gina Crampton
Aliyah Dunn
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Temalisi Fakahokotau
Maria Folau
Katrina Grant
Laura Langman
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Sam Sinclair
Elisapeta Toeava
Jane Watson