Silver Ferns Players: The 2026-27 New Zealand Netball Squad

The Silver Ferns are New Zealand’s national netball team, and the current playing group is one of the most successful in more than a decade. After ending a 16-year Commonwealth Games gold drought at Glasgow 2026, head coach Dame Noeline Taurua named an 18-player squad for the 2026-27 international season, built around superstar shooter Grace Nweke and captain Karin Burger. This guide profiles the Silver Ferns players wearing the black dress in 2026, explains their positions and roles in plain language, and looks ahead to the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.

The 2026-27 Silver Ferns squad

In September 2026, Netball New Zealand confirmed an 18-strong squad for the 2026-27 season. The group blends the core that won gold in Glasgow with two returning shooters and a first-time selection in defence. Players are grouped into three units — shooters, midcourters and defenders — a structure explained in more detail in our guide to netball positions.

• Shooters: Grace Nweke, Amelia Walmsley, Georgia Heffernan, Martina Salmon, Aliyah Dunn, Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
• Midcourters: Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Peta Toeava, Kimiora Poi, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Tayla Earle.
• Defenders: Karin Burger, Kelly Jackson, Carys Stythe, Catherine Hall, Laura Balmer, Parris Mason.

The clearest changes from the 2025/2026 group are the recalls of experienced shooters Aliyah Dunn and Te Paea Selby-Rickit, the debut selection of Mainland Tactix defender Laura Balmer, and the addition of Tayla Earle in the midcourt. Filda Vui, Saviour Tui and Phoenix Karaka were not retained, while Catherine Hall was included as she recovered from injury.

Glasgow 2026: Commonwealth Games gold

The defining moment of this era came at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Silver Ferns beat England 61-54 in the semifinal, then defeated defending-favourite Jamaica 56-48 in the final on 2 August 2026 to claim New Zealand’s first Commonwealth Games netball title since 2010. Goal shoot Grace Nweke was central to the win, scoring 48 goals at 89% accuracy against Jamaica’s tall defence, while goal keep Kelly Jackson and captain Karin Burger applied the pressure that kept the opposition shooters out of space. The result continued a strong period for New Zealand sport, following a busy 2025 for the country (see Wikipedia).

What the gold medal changed

Success in Glasgow settled a period of uncertainty. Shortly after the tournament, Netball New Zealand confirmed Dame Noeline Taurua would stay on as head coach through to the 2027 Netball World Cup, giving the programme stability heading into its biggest target.

Captaincy and leadership

Karin Burger leads the Silver Ferns. A versatile defender who can cover goal defence and wing defence, Burger was first handed the captaincy for the 2025 Constellation Cup series and northern tour and retained the role through the Glasgow campaign, where she was named alongside vice-captain Kate Heffernan. Burger’s relentless work rate saw her recognised as New Zealand’s netballer of the year, and she anchors a wider leadership group rather than a single-captain model.

Alongside Burger, goal keep Kelly Jackson (formerly Jury) provides calm, vocal organisation at the back of the defensive circle, and senior players such as Kate Heffernan and Grace Nweke share on-court responsibility. Head coach Dame Noeline Taurua, one of the most decorated coaches in the sport, sets the overall direction and selection standards.

The shooting circle: Grace Nweke and beyond

The Silver Ferns’ shooting circle is anchored by Grace Nweke, widely regarded as the most dominant goal shoot in world netball for her ability to hold space and convert high lobs. Nweke plays her club netball in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball league; she remains available for New Zealand under an eligibility exemption granted by the Netball New Zealand Board that runs from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2026, keeping the country’s best scorer in the mix through the 2026 season.

Around her, the 2026-27 squad offers genuine variety. Amelia Walmsley is a clinical, high-percentage post target; Georgia Heffernan is a mobile goal attack who links the midcourt and circle; Martina Salmon adds long-range shooting; and the recalls of Aliyah Dunn and Te Paea Selby-Rickit bring proven international experience back into the group.

The midcourt: speed, vision and transition

New Zealand’s midcourt is built on running power and quick ball movement. Maddy Gordon is the engine at centre, driving the transition game and supporting the defence, while Kate Heffernan uses her height to disrupt opposition feeds. Peta Toeava is a specialist feeder with sharp vision into the circle, Kimiora Poi and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan add pace and versatility, and Tayla Earle provides fresh depth. This unit is responsible for the short, accurate passing that defines the New Zealand style against the physical presses used by teams such as England and Jamaica.

The defensive unit: experience and rising talent

Defence is a particular strength. Karin Burger and Kelly Jackson form an experienced core, combining tight one-on-one marking with well-timed interceptions. Around them sit two of New Zealand’s most exciting young defenders, Carys Stythe and Catherine Hall, both of whom earned their places through strong ANZ Premiership form and impressed at Glasgow. Laura Balmer’s debut selection and the return of Parris Mason add further depth. The unit’s job is to force turnovers and protect the circle for the full 60 minutes.

A hybrid defensive style

The Silver Ferns are known for a flexible defensive system that switches between zonal positioning — controlling space to close passing lanes — and tight marking that pressures the feeder into risky passes. This approach relies on communication and fitness rather than any single tactic, and it was central to shutting down Jamaica in the Glasgow final.

The development pathway

New Zealand’s high-performance pathway feeds the senior team through age-group and development squads. Players such as Carys Stythe and Catherine Hall progressed through these programmes before stepping up, gaining exposure to the speed and physicality of international netball before being fully capped. This pipeline is a key reason the Silver Ferns have been able to refresh their squad while staying competitive at the top level.

Looking ahead: Sydney 2027

With the Commonwealth Games title secured, attention turns to the 2027 Netball World Cup, hosted in Sydney from 25 August to 5 September 2027. Before then, the squad reassembles for the 2026 Constellation Cup series against Australia, with the opener scheduled for 18 October in Auckland. Taurua has been clear that no place is guaranteed, so continued form in the domestic ANZ Premiership and against Australia will shape the group that ultimately travels to Sydney.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Who is the current captain of the Silver Ferns?

Karin Burger captains the Silver Ferns. She led the side to gold at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Kate Heffernan as vice-captain.

Is Grace Nweke eligible to play for the Silver Ferns?

Yes. The Netball New Zealand Board granted Grace Nweke an eligibility exemption running from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2026, so she can represent New Zealand while playing club netball in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball league.

Who are the new faces in the 2026-27 squad?

Defender Laura Balmer earned a debut selection, while shooters Aliyah Dunn and Te Paea Selby-Rickit returned to the squad and Tayla Earle was added in the midcourt.

Did the Silver Ferns win the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games?

Yes. New Zealand beat Jamaica 56-48 in the final on 2 August 2026 to win their first Commonwealth Games netball gold medal since 2010.

Who is the head coach of the Silver Ferns?

Dame Noeline Taurua is the head coach. After the Glasgow gold medal, she was retained in the role through to the 2027 Netball World Cup.