Netball Silver Ferns

New Zealand National Netball Team

The Silver Ferns represent Netball New Zealand on the global stage by participating in various prestigious netball tournaments. These include the Netball World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Taini Jamison Trophy, Constellation Cup, Netball Quad Series, and Fast5 Netball World Series.

History of the Silver Ferns

On the 20th of August 1938, New Zealand’s netball made their debut in a test match against Australia at Royal Park, Melbourne. This landmark match not only marked the first-ever netball test between Australia and New Zealand but also served as the world’s inaugural international netball encounter.

New Zealand’s fiercest competitors in international netball have consistently been Australia. Over the years, from 1963 to 2015, both teams dominated the World Netball Championships and Commonwealth Games tournaments.

Tournament History

New Zealand’s history in the Netball World Cup dates to the inaugural tournament in 1963, where they have been a constant presence ever since. The turning point came in the 1967 World Netball Championships when New Zealand claimed their first world title. The 1979 World Netball Championships witnessed a unique scenario where New Zealand, Australia, and Trinidad and Tobago shared the gold medal.

The Silver Ferns dominance continued in the 1987 World Netball Championships as they emerged champions once more and secured their fourth title in the 2003 World Netball Championships. And most recently they reached the pinnacle of success once again in the 2019 Netball World Cup.

World Games

From 1985 to 1993, New Zealand actively participated in the World Games by earning an impressive record of two gold and one silver medals. The inaugural tournament in 1985 witnessed a thrilling victory for New Zealand as they triumphed over Australia 39–37 in the final, securing the coveted gold medal. In the 1993 World Games, New Zealand maintained their competitive edge and earned a well-deserved silver medal, further solidifying their status as a force in the world of sports.

Commonwealth Games

In 1990, when netball was a demonstration sport, they faced Australia in a one-off match, losing to their trans-Tasman rivals. Starting from 1998 until 2014, the Silver Ferns reached the final of every tournament during this period. Within these tournaments, they achieved a total of two gold and three silver medals, further solidifying their position as one of the top contenders in the sport. A defining moment came in 2006 when New Zealand triumphed over Australia to secure their first gold medal.

Taini Jamison Trophy

Since 2008, Netball New Zealand has hosted the Taini Jamison Trophy, a netball tournament that welcomes visiting teams, excluding Australia. In the inaugural 2008 Series, New Zealand asserted their dominance by clinching the gold medal and securing the top spot on the podium. They continued their winning streak from 2010 to 2017, except in 2012, winning the gold every year.

Constellation Cup

Since 2010, the Constellation Cup has been the fiercely contested netball series between New Zealand and Australia. In 2012, New Zealand won for the first time but then not again until 2021. Over the years, the Constellation Cup has been a closely fought contest, with New Zealand and Australia displaying their best.

Notable Past Players

Several netball players from New Zealand have earned significant appearances for their national team. Among them, Laura Langman holds the record with 163 appearances between 2005 and 2020, followed closely by Maria Folau with 150 appearances from 2005 to 2019. Irene van Dyk’s outstanding career resulted in 145 appearances for New Zealand from 2000 to 2014.

The New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame has recognized the achievements of several netball internationals, including Joan Harnett (26 appearances from 1963 to 1971), Lois Muir (13 appearances from 1960 to 1964), Waimarama Taumaunu (77 appearances from 1981 to 1991), Rita Fatialofa (45 appearances from 1982 to 1989), and Sandra Edge (89 appearances from 1985 to 1995).

Current Team

2023 New Zealand Squad Roster:

Karin Burger (WD, GD, GK), Mainland Tactix, Caps: 37
Gina Crampton (WA, C), Northern Stars, Caps: 63
Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Captain) (GS, GA), Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, Caps: 57
Maddy Gordon (WA, C, WD), Central Pulse, Caps: 6
Kate Heffernan (WD, C, WA), Southern Steel, Caps: 15
Kelly Jury (GK, GD), Central Pulse, Caps: 46
Phoenix Karaka (GK, GD, WD), Northern Mystics Nationality, Caps: 50
Grace Nweke (GS), Northern Mystics, Caps: 21
Te Paea Selby-Rickit (GA, GS), Mainland Tactix, Caps: 59
Whitney Souness (WA, C), Central Pulse, Caps: 30
Jane Watson (GK, GD), Mainland Tactix, Caps: 56
Maia Wilson (GS, GA), Northern Stars, Caps: 38
Sulu Fitzpatrick (GK, GD, WD), Northern Mystics, Caps: 27
Tiana Metuarau (GA, GS), Central Pulse, Caps: 6
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (WA, C), Northern Stars, Caps: 3

[GK] Goal Keeper, [GD] Goal Defence Position, [WD] Wing Defence, [C] Centre Position, [WA] Wing Attack, [GA] Goal Attack Position, and [GS] Goal Shooter.