A 14-member squad has been announced for the Silver Ferns as they prepare for their series against Australia, aiming to navigate recent coaching controversies and defend the Constellation Cup. This squad features one change from the line-up that took part in the Taini Jamison series against South Africa last month, with Amelia Walmsley stepping in after her commendable performance with the New Zealand U21 team at the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, where the team secured a second-place finish. Walmsley’s inclusion replaces Filda Vui, who debuted in the previous series.
Notably, players Kate Burley, Tayla Earle, and Saviour Tui have not been selected for this series. However, their prospects remain bright as future opportunities await when the Silver Ferns head to the UK next month for matches against Scotland and England. In a significant update, Netball New Zealand announced that coach Dame Noeline Taurua will miss the entire 2025 season following unsuccessful mediation attempts. Yvette McCausland-Durie, who took on the role of interim coach during the Taini Jamison series, will continue to guide the team for the duration of the year.
McCausland-Durie expressed her excitement about the squad’s mix of seasoned players and emerging talents. She remarked, “The Constellation Cup is always a fiercely contested series, and we’ve selected a squad capable of rising to the challenge. We believe this group can push the Diamonds hard across all four Tests.” Emphasizing Walmsley’s strong showing in Gibraltar, she highlighted the player’s development and the team’s overall confidence in her abilities.
Last year, the Silver Ferns clinched the Constellation Cup for the third time, defeating the world champions with a 3-1 series win. During the South Africa series, the team utilized rotating captains, and further announcements regarding the captain and vice-captain positions are anticipated by the conclusion of their training camp.
The Silver Ferns will gather for a training camp from October 7-11, in preparation for the series opener in Melbourne on October 17. With excitement building and optimism surrounding the upcoming matches, fans are eager to witness the team’s performance as they defend their title.
The complete Silver Ferns squad for the Constellation Cup includes shooters Grace Nweke, Amelia Walmsley, Georgia Heffernan, and Martina Salmon; midcourters Elisapeta Toeava, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Kimiora Poi, and Mila Reulu-Buchanan; as well as defenders Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason, Carys Stythe, Karin Burger, and Catherine Hall.
The Constellation Cup matches are set for:
– October 17 at John Cain Arena, Melbourne
– October 22 at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
– October 26 at Globox Arena, Hamilton
– October 29 at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
This series is an important moment for the Silver Ferns to build momentum and enhance team dynamics as they face a formidable opponent, offering fans an exciting spectacle and a hopeful outlook for the future of netball in New Zealand.