WITH a fresh name, a new team, but the same format, the Netball Nations Cup is back for 2024, and is set to kick off this weekend.

Formally known as the Quad Series, the 2024 edition will have a new team on board with Uganda replacing South Africa in the line up.

The She Cranes join Australia, England and New Zealand in this years series which is spread across two venues in England.

The She Cranes are in an interesting position compared to their opponents in this years series.

They are currently ranked seventh in the world and after finishing fifth at last year’s World Cup, Uganda will be looking to really show it belongs regularly battling the tip teams of world netball.

It does also have an advantage over its opponents this series, having had recent court time against Wales last week. It helped it get over the jet lag and get some competitive netball into their systems after a fairly long break from any kind of competitive netball for its players.

However, this tournament is a massive jump for the Ugandans, and will be a true test of where they are at as a team. So, they will be relying on the likes of Irene Eyaru, Mary Cholhok and Lilian Achola to provide class, experience and leadership.

The first opponent at the tournament for Uganda will be the hosts England.

Like Uganda the Roses also have more recent court time than the Aussies and Kiwis do, but their last series was back in December.

Regardless, after a momentous year for the Roses, the tournament hosts will be looking to build on what they were able to achieve in 2023 and grow even further.

Natalie Metcalf and Helen Housby have had an extended break since the World Cup, but come back into the squad all refreshed and looking to make a huge impact.

The Roses do have a bit of a conundrum in their shooting end. Do they go for the experienced combination of Housby and Eleanor Cardwell, the emerging partnership of Cardwell and Sasha Glasgow, or throw the youth and rawness of Berri Neil into the mix?

One team that has a shooting conundrum of a very different kind is New Zealand.

In a move that has left a lot of people scratching their heads, New Zealand is only bringing an 11 player squad to the tournament that has only three shooters in it. With only one goal attack in the squad, if Amorangi Malesala goes down for any reason the Kiwis may be in trouble, and after a poor year last year many may be wondering if New Zealand will be going about turning around its poor form. It is bringing a shooter in the reserves in Georgia Heffernan, so why not elevate her to the main squad?

Then that just leaves the reigning champions of just about every tournament, Australia.

2023 was another dominant year for the Australian Diamonds, winning the Quad Series, World Cup, Constellation Cup and South Africa series.

However, after a few big retirements in the back end of 2023, there are still few questions around the Australians.

Who will become the new starting wing defence? Will it be Sunday Aryang to allow Sarah Klau and Courtney Bruce to also be on the court at the same time? Will it be someone else?

Also, who will be the starting goal attack? Will it be Kiera Austin, or will this be the series that Sophie Dwyer really gets a chance to shine?

The 2024 Netball Nations Cup Series kicks off on Sunday morning Australian time, and everyone in Australia can watch the series via Foxtel and Kayo.

Nations Cup Squads

Australia

Sunday Aryang

Kiera Austin

Courtney Bruce

Sophie Dwyer

Sophie Garbin

Paige Hadley

Sarah Klau

Cara Koenen

Kate Moloney

Jamie-Lee Price

Donnell Wallam

Liz Watson

Jo Weston

England

Halimat Adio     

Imogen Allison

Eleanor Cardwell

Amy Carter

Funmi Fadoju   

Sasha Glasgow 

Helen Housby   

Hannah Joseph

Nat Metcalf       

Berri Neil           

Jayda Pechova  

Razia Quashie

Ellie Rattu

Fran Williams   

Reserves: Olivia Tchine and Alicia Scholes

New Zealand

Amorangi Malesala

Grace Nweke

Amelia Walmsley

Maddy Gordon

Kate Heffernan

Mila Reuelu-Buchanan

Whitney Souness

Karin Burger

Kelly Jury

Phoenix Karaka (captain)

Michaela Sokolich-Beatson

Training Partners: Kate Burley, Tayla Earle, Georgia Heffernan

Uganda

Lillian Achola

Florance Adunia

Magret Baagala

Mercy Batamuliza

Mary Cholhok

Irene Eyaru

Haniisha Muhameed

Falidah Kadondi

Sarah Nakiyunga

Christine Nakito

Sandra Nambirige

Christine Namulumba

Shadiah Nassanga

Nations Cup Fixtures (All times AEDT)

Sunday 21 January – OVO Arena, Wembley

Australia v New Zealand – 2am 

England v Uganda – 4am 

Monday 22 January – OVO Arena, Wembley

New Zealand v Uganda – 1am

England v Australia – 3:15am 

Sunday 28 January First Direct Arena, Leeds

Australia v Uganda – 2am 

England v New Zealand – 4am 

Monday 29 January First Direct Arena, Leeds

Third place play-off – 1am

Final – 3:15am