FOR the third year running, the New Zealand Silver Ferns will host the Aotearoa Men’s netball team in a unique three-match Cadbury Netball Series, with the second of its kind in 2020 highlighting the great competition between the two teams. While the round robin type invitational series between the Ferns, Men’s, New Zealand A (NZA) and New Zealand Under 21s was nothing short of success last year, the 2021 edition will push the development of the Ferns and the Men’s squads into the spotlight. Unfortunately, due to continued lockdown precautions and a locational change from Hamilton to Wellington, the NZA and NZ Under 21s, who were set to play a series of curtain raiser matches ahead of the main event, will not participate in the 2021 series.

The three-match series will be played at TSB Arena in Wellington, with the all-Kiwi showdown realistically a showcase of not only the talent New Zealand has to offer, but also the depth of its netball pathways. Despite each of the teams having disrupted seasons and training programs throughout 2021, the series will provide a valuable opportunity to develop partnerships and build up connections for each of the squads, and offer great matchplay experience after a shaky year off the court. The competitive series between the Silver Ferns and Aotearoa Men’s is a spectacle that Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua says is “important” when it comes to developing match experience against different types of opposition.

“This series is really important for us to keep moving forward and building on our match experience with a different type of opposition while continuing our improvement,” Taurua explained. “With the Commonwealth Games next year and the Netball World Cup looming in 2023, this is a great opportunity to keep developing and growing our players.”

Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie said that while it was disappointing the event had to move with little notice, she is delighted that the series will still be going ahead in a smaller capacity.

“Navigating any sporting event during the coronavirus pandemic is a constant challenge, but we’re fortunate to have a great team working hard behind the scenes to ensure we can get New Zealand’s elite netballers out on court in what is an important phase of their build-up for the Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Netball World Cup,” Wyllie said.

“The Cadbury Netball Series with Aotearoa Men provides a unique test for the Silver Ferns, and we’re delighted to be able to go ahead with the three matches.”

Taurua also explained that the series structure would pose both issues and opportunities, with the potential to test her athletes’ consistency and endurance on court in a similar environment to the Commonwealth Games’ condensed structure, while also being aware of fatigue.

“Playing matches on three consecutive nights is another opportunity to test our athletes in an environment that is similar to what we will face at next year’s Commonwealth Games,” Taurua said. “We need to ensure we make the most of our time on court against a quality opposition as we look further ahead to next year and beyond.”

The first games will take place on Sunday, October 10 with little recovery time between the second and third matches of the series on Monday, October 11 and Tuesday, October 12. Both teams have named extended squads, with the Aotearoa Men’s listing 18 players given the differing alert levels across the nation to make way for last minute changes – which have since come into effect – while the Ferns named 16 players.

“The focus of our selections was about bringing together a squad in a short period of time, that had established connections and experience that could hit the court quickly to take on the world champion Silver Ferns,” Aotearoa Men’s assistant coach, Dion Te Whetu said. “We also have some new talent, and I am confident we have chosen a squad that can deliver a winning result for us.”

Silver Ferns squad:

Jamie Hume
Tiana Metuarau *subject to medical clearance
Grace Nweke
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Maia Wilson
Gina Crampton
Maddy Gordon
Kate Heffernan
Claire Kersten
Shannon Saunders
Peta Toeava
Sam Winders
Karin Burger
Kelly Jury
Paris Lokotui
Georgia Tong

Aotearoa Men’s squad:

Daniel Jefferies
Amosa Faitaua-Nanai
Ben Smith
Dallas Harema
Daniel Rich
Marutawhaorere Delamere
Nick Grimmer
Jaryn Tainui
Tyra Lauagiagi
Eriata Vercoe
Quintin Gerber
Joseph Tukaki
Timothy Apisai
Jay Geldard
Cameron Van Baarle
Victor Goldsmark White
Michael Clarke

Cadbury Netball Series
TSB Arena, Wellington

Sunday 10 October
Silver Ferns v NZ Men’s Invitational @7:10pm NZST

Monday 11 October
Silver Ferns v NZ Men’s Invitational @7:15pm NZST

Tuesday 12 October
Silver Ferns v NZ Men’s Invitational @7:15pm NZST