The Constellation Cup goes on the line

The Constellation Cup is the perpetual symbol of intense rivalry between New Zealand and Australia, who have battled each other for Netball supremacy since 1938.

 

Commissioned by Netball New Zealand and Netball Australia in 2010, the Constellation Cup captures the aspirations of each nation on the Netball court.

The trophy itself is a remarkable piece of silverware. Fashioned as a diamond encrusted, silver champagne chalice, the Cup stands for achievement, optimism and timelessness.

It was designed and manufactured by Australian Michael Wilson and  is comprised of Sterling Silver, 101 white and champagne brilliant cut diamonds and 5000 year old ebonised ancient Murray River Red Gum.

The display case was designed and crafted by Vic Matthews of New Zealand and is made of Black Maire, New Zealand’s hardest wood. 

The Australian Diamonds are the reigning Constellation Cup holders, but only by the slimmest of margins, having retained the cup after the series was drawn at two wins a piece last year.

They have taken the silverware across the Tasman in all but one year.

That year was 2012.

In another nail-biting encounter between Netball’s powerhouses, the Silver Ferns defeated the Diamonds by one goal, 50-49, at Vector Arena in Auckland to seal the series win.

Once again, the battle lines have been drawn. On Sunday afternoon, the two familiar foes will face-off in Netball’s greatest rivalry – the opening Test of the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup.

The four-Test Series will see the Diamonds host the first two matches in Sydney (Oct 9) and Launceston (Oct 12), before they cross the Tasman for the final matches in Auckland (Oct 15) and Invercargill (Oct 20).

Tickets to the two Tests in New Zealand are on sale NOW with great seats still available!

Can’t make it to the game? Fans in New Zealand can catch all the action LIVE on SKY Sport NZ 2 from 5.15pm (NZT) and on DELAY on Prime at 10.35pm (NZT)  (check local guides).