Latest news with #SilverFerns
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Silver Ferns star Grace Nweke awaits Netball NZ eligibility decision
Grace Nweke can't play for the Silver Ferns, after choosing to contest the Aussie Super Netball competition. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Netball NZ says it will soon decide on any changes to its eligibility policy, so players can weigh up their options for 2026. That decision can't come soon enough for star shooter Grace Nweke, whose decision to play in the Australian competition ruled her out of playing for the Silver Ferns this year. Chief executive Jennie Wyllie said the NNZ board was reviewing the policy. "That's something that goes hand in hand with a lot of our moving parts at the moment, but it's under consideration and we've made good progress on a direction of travel there," she said. "Still a bit too early to talk to that, we have a lot of stakeholders that we need to work with in the first instance." Time is of the essence, with just four rounds left in both the Australia's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) and the ANZ Premiership regular seasons. Wyllie said any decision made by the board on eligibility rules would be timely enough for players to make decisions about next year. "Our board understand that, to give our players certainty for the coming year across our system, we need to be able to do this before we go into player contracting, post ANZ Premiership. "The board are taking it under consideration, the timeframes will be conducive to allow clarity for everyone that needs it, when they are making contracting decisions for 2026." Grace Nweke needs to know her options for 2026. Photo: Jason McCawley / Getty Images Nweke said any change could have a big impact on her decision-making and she needed to know where she stood. "Absolutely, there's so many cards on the table in terms of possibilities and options and opportunities, so being able to make an informed decision has been the biggest thing for me," Nweke said. "Since I made my informed decision around this time last year to play here, I haven't really had any more information about the future, so just waiting to know what my options are and what I guess the implications of option A, B, C, D would look like for me is kind of key." The current policy is designed to encourage the country's top netballers to play in the New Zealand league, so it remains strong. If the criteria does not change and Nweke opts to stay in Australia, she would miss next year's Commonwealth Games. The 23-year-old will have to make a decision soon. "It's getting about that time where you think about what you're doing the following season, so definitely looking forward to hearing whatever comes out of Netball New Zealand." Typically, clubs can already re-sign current contracted players in the SSN, before a contracting window opens after the Grand Final to approach players from other clubs. New Zealand is similar, with the added complication that Netball NZ is still finalising a broadcast deal - its current Sky agreement is expiring at the end of the year. The bargaining process for a new 2026 collective agreement between the Players' Association and Netball New Zealand will be delayed, until the national body reaches an agreement on broadcast rights. NNZ has already confirmed that a six-team domestic competition will continue in 2026. "It will be visible to our fans, but we're just working through that detail," Wyllie said. Nweke said she could feel the growth she had made since joining SSN, and had learnt a lot from playing against a range of international defenders from Jamaica, England and Australia. "Each week, teams are working on ways to combat our attacking unit, so there are moments where I genuinely feel quite stumped or really challenged, and I go to the bench, and ask for coaching and advice. The opportunity to learn in the moment has been awesome." Casey Kopua has come out of retirement to fulfill her Super Netball ambition. Photo: Brendon Thorne Silver Fern centurion Casey Kopua made a shock return to netball, when she came out of retirement three weeks ago to help the injury-depleted Giants, halfway through the SSN season. Kopua, 40, retired from elite netball, after helping the Silver Ferns win the 2019 Netball World Cup, but had always wanted to play in the SSN. She will mark Nweke when her side plays the Swifts on Sunday and said she could understand the appeal for players who wanted to test themselves across the Tasman. Kopua said she missed the former trans-Tasman competition, when it ended after the 2016 season. "I was a big advocate for that to carry on," she said. "I loved coming up against the Aussies, and you could test yourself and see where you were at. "Also, I guess, it kept you at that international level, so when you played them internationally, it wasn't so much of a shock. I was all for that, playing them week in and week out." The eligibility issue first came to the forefront when teammate Laura Langman wanted to play in Australia. She was eventually given an exemption and captained the Silver Ferns to the 2019 World Cup victory. While she could see both sides of the debate, Kopua said playing in the SSN could only be a good thing for Nweke's game. "She's going to be learning a whole lot more skills and tools that she can bring back. If it makes her a better person and a better player, then why not? "She's an outstanding player and I think that New Zealand Netball need her." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
a day ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Key Match-up For Pulse Against Steel
Back-to-back losses have left Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse on wobbly ground as they prepare for a high-stakes rematch against the Southern Steel in ANZ Premiership netball action in Wellington on Monday. An out-of-sorts Pulse have slipped to third spot on the points table and now have the Magic hot on their heels, poised one point behind with just four rounds remaining as the battle for a place in the Finals Series (top three) gathers momentum. ``We've all got the fuel to be better,'' Pulse midcourter Maddy Gordon said. ``It's always said that losses can be beneficial, that you can improve and get better from them but obviously, it's a shorter season, so there's not a lot of time to work things out. ``I'm confident that we can get out of this slump. The main thing is that everyone's mindset is looking ahead and how we can be better. ``We know how good we can be when we're all on and we've seen that in a couple of games, so it's just finding that spark again.'' One real positive for the Pulse has been the form of shooter Amelia Walmsley who has not missed a shot in her previous two matches and sits on top of the league for number of goals scored and highest percentage, at 97 percent accuracy. ``When we get her the ball, she's getting it in, so it's how we get her the ball more, which means looking after the ball, less losses as an attacking unit and really working on how we can get her that 100 percent ball because the stats tell a story there,'' Gordon said. Having a slow start to the season because of injury, Gordon is an influential figure in the midcourt with her big engine and relentless hustle. She has a strong connection with her shooter in providing near-perfect feeds but has been a little frustrated in working her way back. ``I feel like I'm doing okay,'' she said. ``It's been a slow climb…..I've been on managed loads for a bit but it's coming and I just need time under the belt. The positive thing is that each game it's getting a bit better. ``The vision into Amelia is going really well but I want to get a bit more oomph in that defence part and going for things. I'm confident that will come with more time in training, which has also been a bit on and off (in terms of participation).'' Making the bold decision to move to Wellington from Auckland in her first year out of school has proved life-changing for Gordon. With the aim of playing for Central Manawa in the National Netball League (NNL) and joining the Police Force, Gordon quickly found her feet and her way into the Silver Ferns and as such, a life on the beat, was quickly shelved. ``The ride has been crazy,'' she said. ``Coming down here playing NNL, working three jobs…I knew it was going to be tough work…….I never would have thought I would be in the Silver Ferns as a 20-year-old (debuting at 21), just because of how my story went and how I had to move so much to be where I am. ``I've had to work hard for it. It didn't just get given to me and where I am now, I never would have thought at 25, I'd be one of the experienced ones at the Pulse, let alone in the Silver Ferns as well. ``It's definitely been tough but I've loved it and wouldn't change it. The Pulse took a shot with me. I was never a big name, never on the wanted list. I put myself here and it was a case of, `watch me, I'll show you what I've got kind of thing'. And they really did and stuck with me through the whole time. ``They have made me the player I am today and I'm always grateful.'' For now, Gordon's got a wary on the Steel in what's shaping as a pivotal match for the Pulse. ``They had a great win last week and they probably weren't proud of their performance that they put up against us the last time we played (70-45 loss), so we know they'll be coming,'' she said. ``They're probably going to come out with something different, so we also need a plan B but we know what we need to do. We're excited but we do know that they're going to come out all guns blazing.''
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Winning Move: WM New Zealand Announced As Naming Rights Partner Of International Netball Series
Netball New Zealand (NNZ) is proud to announce a landmark partnership with WM New Zealand who will become the naming rights partner of the International Netball Series – encompassing both the Taini Jamison Trophy and the New Zealand played Constellation Cup matches. The multi-year agreement marks a significant step forward for the sport, with WM New Zealand's support helping to elevate the profile of international netball matches and provide greater opportunities to engage fans across Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. Under the new partnership, the Series will be known as the WM New Zealand Netball Series, where the Silver Ferns will compete this year against South Africa for the Taini Jamison Trophy and play the Australian Diamonds to compete for the Constellation Cup. Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, community impact and the growth of women's sport. 'We are delighted to welcome WM New Zealand as our naming rights partner for our International Netball Series,' Wyllie said. 'This partnership allows us to continue building on the proud legacy of both the Taini Jamison Trophy and the Constellation Cup, showcasing the Silver Ferns' winning moves while inspiring the next generation of athletes and fans. WM New Zealand's values align strongly with our own, and we're excited about what we can achieve together.' The International Netball Series has long been a highlight on the global calendar, drawing some of the sport's fiercest international rivalries. The addition of WM New Zealand's backing signals renewed energy and ambition for netball at the highest level. WM New Zealand Managing Director Evan Maehl said the company was proud to stand alongside Netball NZ as naming rights partner. 'WM New Zealand is honoured to partner with Netball New Zealand in supporting the pinnacle of international netball in Aotearoa,' Maehl said. 'We believe in championing excellence, inclusion and community – values that are deeply embedded in this partnership. Our commitment to innovation and kaitiakitangi drives everything we do, and now we're excited to bring that same dedication to supporting elite netball. We're excited to support the Silver Ferns and help bring fans closer to the game they love through the WM International Netball Series.' Tickets for the WM International Netball Series go on public sale 12.00pm today.
Newsroom
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsroom
Mystic connection: Rookie steps up for her injured idol
If there's one player in world netball right now who Sophia Lafaiali'i looks up to, it's Australian Diamond Donnell Wallam. Up until now, she's always admired the strong, agile, sharp shooter from afar. 'I love watching her play – she's a beast, she's so strong. I'd watch her in the Australian league and think, 'Wow, how did you just do that?'' So when the 20-year-old criminology and business student from east Auckland was called up to replace Wallam in the champion Mystics side, the scenario felt almost surreal. Two weeks on, Lafaiali'i is still wrapping her head around it. Not just at making her ANZ Premiership debut for the Mystics, but in the place of her injured idol – who then yelled encouragement and advice to her from the bench. Lafaiali'i took the league by storm last weekend, starting and then playing at goal shoot for the full 60 minutes of the Mystics' clash with the Pulse. She missed just one of her 46 shots – and scored a buzzer-beater two-pointer – while under intense pressure from Silver Ferns defenders Kelly Jackson and Parris Mason. And her calm, confident performance helped the Mystics bounce back from their first loss of the season. She took it all in her stride: 'I didn't want to psych myself out knowing I was up against two amazing Silver Ferns. I treat it like, 'Hey, they're just defenders, so go out and play your own game'.' Just a fortnight earlier, Lafaiali'i was content playing for the Northern Marvels in the National Netball League, the tier below the premiership. Her season goal was to be the best shooter in that competition. Then came the call-up to the next level – after Wallam, who filled Grace Nweke's shoes in the Mystics' line-up this season, badly injured her hand falling out of court in the Mystics' one-goal win over the Steel. 'It's a bit freaky to be replacing Nelly [Wallam],' Lafaiali'i says. 'I really appreciate it, but at the same time, it's so far removed from what I thought would ever happen.' Lafaiali'i, a netballer since she started in west Auckland at the age of five, also grew up idolising Mystics shooters Maria Folau and Cathrine Tuivaiti, both of Samoan descent like her. 'I love seeing people who look like me, or are from the same culture, really own their space on the court,' she says. But what's been even more special for Lafaiali'i is the guidance she's now receiving from Wallam – the third Indigenous Australian to play for the Diamonds. 'She's been so awesome,' she says. 'She comes to training, still putting in the hard yards even though she can't play at the moment, and she's still finding time to help me with cues and little reminders,' she says. In her first appearance in the Mystics blue dress, coming off the bench during their 61-50 loss to the Tactix, Lafaiali'i received advice from Wallam on the bench. 'I love getting feedback, so I was looking to her to tell me things.' She played 15 minutes and scored seven of her eight attempts (she sets herself high standards of 90 percent accuracy each game). Sophia Lafaiali'i takes a one-handed catch in the Pulse v Mystics ANZ Premiership clash. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography Wallam still isn't ready to return to the court for Monday night's home game against the Magic, so Lafaiali'i will remain in the side. In fact, Mystics head coach Tia Winikerei says she's now with the team for the rest of the season. 'I want to keep her in so she can build on her experience looking to what's possible for her in 2026. She can grow so much from just being in this environment,' she says. Lafaiali'i's sudden promotion may have come as a shock, when other franchises have turned to retired players to fill in for injuries this season. 'We want to continue to work to the philosophy to build our own, train our own and make them better,' says Winikerei, who saw the young woman's potential a year ago. The former St Kentigern College student, in the school's premier netball side for four years, became a training partner for the Mystics at the end of last season. Then Winikerei and assistant coach Rob Wright invited her to join the team at the Otaki pre-season tournament in April. 'Sophia was developmentally brand new, but it turned out to be a great decision,' Winikerei says. 'She's very good with her hands, and takes the ball strongly and with finesse. She can shoot from anywhere. But most of all, she has a strong solid profile, yet she's very nimble on her feet and moves into spaces swiftly. 'Over the years, players who've come out of St Kentigern's have a lot to thank coach Nicola Lewis for. They've all been trained to have great footwork.' They include current ANZ Premiership players Tayla Earle, Carys Stythe, Amorangi Malesala and Tori Kolose. The Mystics have been affected by injury this season, but are still in the top three of the ANZ Premiership table. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography In only her second appearance for the Mystics, Lafaiali'i stayed on court for the full 60 minutes – surprising herself after making an early faux pas. 'I have this bad habit of catching with one hand – I don't know why it's become a habit – and maybe my third catch of the game, I dropped the ball,' she says. 'Straight away I thought, 'You're off, you're done'. 'All week it had been stressed in my training: 'Catch with two hands, Fia'. And I did exactly what they'd told me not to do. So I love that they had the confidence to keep me on. 'But I knew to just cherish whatever time I had on court and give it 100 percent while I was on there.' Winikerei laughs: 'All week at training, I told her 'God gave you two hands to catch with!' But she performed exceptionally well for a youngster; well beyond what I expected of her. 'We didn't put any pressure on her, and she demonstrated the ability to cope out there.' Both coach and shooter acknowledge the support wrapped around her – from senior players Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Peta Toeava and Earle, as well as her goal attack, Filda Vui. 'Tayla and Peta worked the ball fabulously and tirelessly throughout the game so Sophia could shoot with confidence and calmness. They showed genuine trust in her ability,' Winikerei says. Vui, who leads the competition with 19 successful two-point shots, stepped up in the game. 'It was the first time I've seen Filda take the leadership role in the circle, when we really needed her to,' says Winikerei. Sophia Lafaiali'i is supported by her Mystics attacking team-mates, like Tayla Earle (left, with the ball). Photo: Michael Bradley Photography Few netballers will have the chance to be on the receiving end of a pinpoint long bomb or miraculous no-look pass from Toeava, and Lafaiali'i admits she's had her fan-girl moments on court. 'Sometimes it's a little bit scary,' Lafaiali'i laughs. 'And sometimes I get really excited when she passes to me – I'm like, 'Oh that's so pretty'; then I just have to remember where I am,' she laughs. 'But it's so cool to work with her because she sees the game in a totally different way. It's amazing to learn how her brain works. 'You can hear her on TV saying, 'Fia, stay!' She's already seen the play, four or five passes into the future, and knows where I need to be. So I'm learning to listen to her and trust her. And it's growing my understanding of how I should set up for any attacker or feeder.' Lafaiali'i is also getting language lessons from her team-mates. Proud of her Samoan heritage – she's from the villages of Falealupo, Sapunaoa and Vaiala – she'd like to speak the language fluently. 'Peta and Filda will speak to me in Samoan, and I'm like, 'Yep, just give me 10 seconds…okay, got it!'' she laughs. Off the court, she's studying business and marketing at AUT, and this year also picked up criminology. Her mum, Pacific education leader Tuiloma Gayle Lafaiali'i, also studied it, and as a kid, Lafaiali'i was always watching crime shows rather than the Disney channel. 'I believe you should study what you enjoy – because it's a lot of reading if you don't like it,' Lafaiali'i laughs. Now training has picked up to four or five times a week with the Mystics, she's been able to get extensions on assignments. On top of that, she also does social media for the Marvels. 'I feel like the NNL space should get more media because we're the feeder for these ANZ Premiership teams and if no one knows about us, how are you going to develop players?' she says. 'I started doing it last season, and it was amazing to see other NNL teams put a little more effort into their social media, and everyone started promoting their teams more.' Her goal for the year has shifted to securing an ANZ Premiership contract for next season. But she remains humble about the unexpected opportunities that have come her way. 'They could have looked elsewhere, so it's means a lot that they looked to me as the next player.'
RNZ News
05-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Casey Kopua set to take on old foe in netball comeback
Casey Kopua in Giants colours. Photo: Brendon Thorne Former Silver Fern Casey Kopua is set to stay on in the Australian league for the rest of the season and she's looking forward to resuming an old rivalry. Netball fans were left stunned when the Giants announced that Kopua would join the injury-depleted team for last weekend's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) game against the Melbourne Vixens in Sydney. Kopua retired from elite netball six years ago after helping the Silver Ferns win the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool. Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald, who coached Kopua for several years at the Magic in the former trans-Tasman competition, sent her an SOS. Once she realised Fitzgerald's text message was not a prank, Kopua couldn't resist the challenge and flew to Sydney in the middle of last week and played a full game on Sunday. The 39-year-old was brought in at the half-way point of the SSN season and is likely to be there for remainder of the competition. "The intent is for the rest of the season we're just going through the process, which I never thought would happen either but yeah that is the intent," Kopua said. This weekend, the Giants are playing the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who are spearheaded by Jamaican goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George. The 36-year-old Aiken-George and Kopua have history - going head to head on on several occasions at international level and during the old trans-Tasman competition. "That goes back in the days again as well so looking forward to that challenge and you just know that it's going to be a battle right from the start and you know you might not get every ball but you'll get one or two that'll make the difference so just have to keep grinding her both mentally and physically so by the end of the game she should be tired, because we both will be," Kopua laughed. Romelda Aiken and Casey Kopua went head to head a lot in the former ANZ Championship. Photo: Bruce Lim / Photosport Kopua was surprised when she was named to start at GK last weekend, given she only had one training session with the team. "To get back out on the court at that level I think I surprised myself and playing a full 60 minutes as well was a bit of a shock but I think for me the top two inches took over and you just got to carry on." The Giants, who are languishing at the bottom of SSN, suffered another loss on Sunday but pushed their opponents for three quarters before the Vixens prevailed 71-61. The former New Zealand captain said she kept fit by doing high-intensity workouts most days at the gym and plays netball once or twice a week in Matamata. Kopua said she hadn't previously considered coming out of retirement but playing in the world's toughest netball league was the one thing missing from her resume. "SSN is something I've never played in and I guess on my netball CV I've played and done and won everything that you can so when this came up it was more like a 'why not, why shouldn't I have a go at it'." Kopua, who played 112 Tests for New Zealand, had noticed the game was faster. "Everyone's got stronger, faster, fitter - the ball moves a lot faster, maybe I've just got slower. I can see things in my mind but the body is not as willing as what it was but I hope the more I'm on the court the better and the faster, even if it's just a little bit each time, it will add up." What has Fitzgerald asked of her? "Obviously, I'm not what I used to be but I'm still looking for those moments ...but rebounds is a big thing for me to get up there and get that extra ball for us but also just sharing my knowledge and experience with the younger ones but also they are teaching me I guess that Aussie style as well." The mother of three said her children were excited that their mum was playing top netball. "My oldest one Maia was as the last World Cup in 2019 and now they get to watch mum on TV ...be a part of it so they are very excited." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
