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
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