Silver Ferns and NZ A named for Cadbury Netball Series
June 28, 2022
Netball New Zealand has announced the Silver Ferns and NZ A teams to compete at next month’s Cadbury Netball Series.
A 12-strong Silver Ferns side will meet the NZA team, NZ Men and for the first time in history, a NZ Invitational Mixed team at Pulman Arena in Auckland from 13-16 July.
Experienced midcourter Gina Crampton will again captain the Silver Ferns side with the players beginning their final preparations ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua said there was a promising mix of experienced players alongside relative new Silver Ferns including Grace Nweke and Kate Heffernan, while midcourter Whitney Souness deserved her recall into the side after an absence.
“What has impressed me about this group is their ability to take on the feedback over the past 18 months and bring it to their game on court, and do it consistently,” she said.
“Now we have the opportunity in the Cadbury Netball Series to put the final touches on our game against some of the best netballers from New Zealand, before boarding a plane to Birmingham.”
Taurua said the 12 athletes named in the Silver Ferns had stood up over the last 18 months and they now faced a stern challenge from the NZ A, NZ Men and Mixed teams.
“We’re excited to get into this final preparation stage, and they will be up against some formidable teams who have something to prove out on court.”
The NZ A team will be coached by Reinga Bloxham who has guided the Southern Steel in the ANZ Premiership for the past six seasons, assisted by Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hosek. She said she was looking forward to getting the best out of the side for the four-day series in Auckland.
“This is a great opportunity for both myself and a group of very experienced netballers. I’m really excited to be a part of the Cadbury Netball Series with such a strong group of athletes who are certainly going to push any opponent they meet at Pulman Arena.”
The NZ Invitational Mixed team will be named at a late date, while this will be the Silver Ferns last hit-out before the New Zealand side departs for Birmingham on 21 July.
Tickets are available now through www.ticketek.co.nz
Silver Ferns:
Shooters: Bailey Mes, Grace Nweke (subject to medical clearance), Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson.
Midcourters: Gina Crampton, Kate Heffernan, Shannon Saunders, Whitney Souness.
Defenders: Sulu Fitzpatrick, Kayla Johnson, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka.
New Zealand A:
Shooters: Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Jamie Hume, Tiana Metuarau, Filda Vui.
Midcourters: Claire Kersten, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Peta Toeava, Sam Winders.
Defenders: Kate Burley, Holly Fowler, Kristiana Manu’a, Elle Temu.
A 12-strong Silver Ferns side will meet the NZA team, NZ Men and for the first time in history, a NZ Invitational Mixed team at Pulman Arena in Auckland from 13-16 July.
Experienced midcourter Gina Crampton will again captain the Silver Ferns side with the players beginning their final preparations ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua said there was a promising mix of experienced players alongside relative new Silver Ferns including Grace Nweke and Kate Heffernan, while midcourter Whitney Souness deserved her recall into the side after an absence.
“What has impressed me about this group is their ability to take on the feedback over the past 18 months and bring it to their game on court, and do it consistently,” she said.
“Now we have the opportunity in the Cadbury Netball Series to put the final touches on our game against some of the best netballers from New Zealand, before boarding a plane to Birmingham.”
Taurua said the 12 athletes named in the Silver Ferns had stood up over the last 18 months and they now faced a stern challenge from the NZ A, NZ Men and Mixed teams.
“We’re excited to get into this final preparation stage, and they will be up against some formidable teams who have something to prove out on court.”
The NZ A team will be coached by Reinga Bloxham who has guided the Southern Steel in the ANZ Premiership for the past six seasons, assisted by Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hosek. She said she was looking forward to getting the best out of the side for the four-day series in Auckland.
“This is a great opportunity for both myself and a group of very experienced netballers. I’m really excited to be a part of the Cadbury Netball Series with such a strong group of athletes who are certainly going to push any opponent they meet at Pulman Arena.”
The NZ Invitational Mixed team will be named at a late date, while this will be the Silver Ferns last hit-out before the New Zealand side departs for Birmingham on 21 July.
Tickets are available now through www.ticketek.co.nz
Silver Ferns:
Shooters: Bailey Mes, Grace Nweke (subject to medical clearance), Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson.
Midcourters: Gina Crampton, Kate Heffernan, Shannon Saunders, Whitney Souness.
Defenders: Sulu Fitzpatrick, Kayla Johnson, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka.
New Zealand A:
Shooters: Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Jamie Hume, Tiana Metuarau, Filda Vui.
Midcourters: Claire Kersten, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Peta Toeava, Sam Winders.
Defenders: Kate Burley, Holly Fowler, Kristiana Manu’a, Elle Temu.