Silver Ferns Ready for the Repeat

The Silver Ferns are about to embark on their biggest challenge for 2023 with the Netball World Cup kicking off in Cape Town, South Africa on July 28^th. As defending champions, the pressure is on to remain at the top and add to their title from Liverpool in 2019.

Preparations for the build up to the Netball World Cup have been strong. The 2023 ANZ Premiership provided the perfect lead in to the tournament with very high standards of netball and many of the games resulting in narrow goal differences. Even the style of the ANZP competition will have strengthened their performance, with double header weekends that are similar to the back-to back style of play that is required at the World Cup.

The 12-strong team consists of a few familiar faces, including Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Midcourter Gina Crampton and the defensive trio of Jane Watson, Karin Burger, and Phoenix Karaka. These players bring a wealth of experience and stability to the squad. Meanwhile six players will be on debut in Cape Town - Grace Nweke, Maia Wilson, Whitney Souness, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan and Kelly Jury – who will no doubt continue to flourish under the guidance of Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua.

Plus in a Netball World Cup first, all teams are able to travel with three travelling reserves in case a player comes down with illness or injury. This will see Tiana Metuarau, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, and Sulu Fitzpatrick also join the squad in South Africa.

Recently the Ferns unveiled their 2023 World Cup dress, Manawa Rau. This design is created by Maia Gibbs and Henare Brooking, respected tā moko artists from Te Tairāwhiti (East Coast) who have their own connections to the Silver Ferns and Netball NZ. They have engaged with the Ferns and created a dress that links them to the players who have gone before them, and also represents who they are as players today.

You can read more about the specific design elements of the Manawa Rau dress here.

Of the 16 teams, the Silver Ferns face off against Trinidad and Tobago (28^th July), Uganda (29^th July), and Singapore (30^th July) in the group stages of the 2023 Netball World Cup. With 8 matches in 10 days, it’s going to be a demanding few weeks against some of the world’s greatest contenders.

Kia kaha and let's go New Zealand!

Suzuki has been long-time supporters and passionate fans of netball in New Zealand for over 15 years. Supplying a range of safe and economical vehicles to a number of national teams, the Silver Ferns and Netball New Zealand, Suzuki are excited to be part of the netball community.