Silver Ferns announce 2023/24 Squad
EARLIER this week Netball New Zealand announced the members of the 2023/24 Silver Ferns Squad, with a number of first time faces in the squad.
Shooter Amelia Walmsley is the first of the new faces in the Silver Ferns Squad for 2023/24.
The Central Pulse shooter locked down a regular starting spot at ANZ Premiership level and has been rewarded.
Defenders Kate Burley and Paris Lokotui are the other new faces in the squad. Burley was a previous Silver Ferns Development Squad member and now moves up into the senior squad after a strong year with the Southern Steel, while Lokotui’s inclusion marks a return to the high performance programme for her for the first time since her ACL injury.
The Silver Ferns have also announced a 2023/24 Development Squad, which 10 of the mostly younger stars of the future making the squad.
The exception to the rule is Shannon Saunders, who returns to the New Zealand high performance set up after becoming a mum for the first time earlier this year.
There are also several big names missing from the recently announced squad.
Alongside the recently retired defender Sulu Fitzpatrick, midcourters Gina Crampton and Samantha Winders are both unavailable for selection because they are taking a break from netball. Meanwhile shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit is also unavailable for the international season.
Although she is heading to Australia to play her domestic netball in 2024, Elle Temu still has a Development Squad contract until the end of the 2023 calendar year.
2023/24 SILVER FERNS SQUAD
Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Tiana Metuarau, Grace Nweke, Amelia Walmsley, Maia Wilson, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Whitney Souness, Peta Toeava, Karin Burger, Kate Burley, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Paris Lokotui and Jane Watson
2023/24 SILVER FERNS DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Tayla Earle, Georgia Heffernan, Fa’amu Ioane, Amorangi Malesala, Parris Mason, Kimiora Poi, Shannon Saunders, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Carys Stythe and Elle Temu*
*Contracted until 31 December, 2023 as per international eligibility criteria
England draws first blood in the Horizon Series
ENGLAND has taken a 1-0 lead over Jamaica in the four match Horizon Series. After a nail biting finish to the first game 24 hours ago, England has claimed the first win of the series. After a tight first half, the Roses shifted into gear to win the match by eight-goals thanks to brilliant defence. […]
Horizon Series begins in a 49-all draw
A DRAW kicked off the Horizon Series between England and Jamaica thanks to clinical end-to-end transition from the Jamaicans. A 49-49 result summed up the calibre of both of these sides with several big time players shining throughout. A formidable defensive end for the Sunshine Girls was up against an ever so growing shooting combination […]
PREVIEW | 2024 Horizon Series
THE LAST international series between the big countries of world netball gets underway this weekend as England and Jamaica battle it out for the 2024 Horizon Series. The first two matches will be played in the AO Arena in Manchester, before the series heads to Kingston in Jamaica a week later for tests three and […]
2025 Suncorp Super Netball fixture revealed
STARTING on April 5 2025, the Suncorp Super Netball fixture was announced with big matchups and a split round included in the 14-round season, which will end on July 13. Opening the new season, the Adelaide Thunderbirds will play the Melbourne Vixens in a Grand Final rematch, while First Nations Round will be played in […]
PREVIEW | Fast 5 World Series
THE INTERNATIONAL netball season heads for a more of a light hearted turn this weekend with the annual Fast 5 World Series taking place across the ditch in New Zealand. For the next two days, six women’s teams and three mens teams from around the world will descend on Christchurch for a very different version […]
Diamonds delve into positives despite disapointing result
DESPITE having already lost the series, the Australian Diamonds still came away from Wednesday night’s final Constellation Cup match with something to smile about having convincingly won the final test. Reflecting on it all post match, Diamonds’ head coach Stacey Marinkovich described the importance of winning the match to bookend the year as “huge”. “I […]
Silver Ferns don’t clean sweep but still come away happy
WEDNESDAY’s final Constellation Cup match brought mixed emotions for New Zealand, because although they lost that match they were still able to celebrate post match because they had already won the whole series. Speaking after Wednesday night’s final test of the series, Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua was reflective of it all. “I thought […]
Kelpies big winners, but big picture shows plenty to still be done
DESPITE how things went for the Australian Diamonds in their recent Constellation Cup series against New Zealand, things could not have been more different for the Australian Kelpies, who clean swept their series with the Kiwis after a 71 to 39 goal win in game four yesterday. Speaking after yesterday’s match, star Kelpies’ defender Josh […]
Diamonds win match, but Kiwis still come away with big prize
THE AUSTRALIAN Diamonds have avoided an undesired series whitewash against New Zealand, winning the final match of the 2024 Constellation Cup 63 goals to 50. Proceedings were tight early, but then the Diamonds were able to really put their foot down in the second and third quarters to really open up the game on […]
