Netball: Silver Ferns to face England, Scotland in Commonwealth Games warmups
Photo:
Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
The Silver Ferns will play two tests against Scotland and three against England in November as the side prepares for next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The five-test northern tour will see the Ferns take on the Scottish Thistles, before heading south to London and Manchester where they will meet England three times, starting on 15 November.
The series will be a
key part of the Silver Ferns' build-up for next year's Commonwealth Games.
The Silver Ferns usually have a January series in the Northern Hemisphere, but that did not happen this year.
England, who beat the Silver Ferns 2-1 in last year's Taini Jamison series, will be a tough team to take on at the Commonwealth Games.
It will be the first time the Silver Ferns have been back to Scotland since the two nations met for the build-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the first time that international netball will be played at the state-of-the-art Playsport Arena in Glasgow.
Silver Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua said the northern tour was hugely important in preparation for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and returning to Scotland would also hold some special memories for herself.
"I'm absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to head north for this series in November.
"Scotland holds a special place in my heart having completed my Masters of Sport Coaching at the University of Stirling, so it will be incredibly special to return there with the Silver Ferns.
"These additional fixtures are a vital part of our preparation as we build towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Finishing the tour with a three-Test series against the England Roses - currently ranked fourth in the world - will provide the high-quality competition we need to continue challenging ourselves and growing as a group."
Scotland's head coach Kath Tetley shared Taurua's excitement about the two tests with the World No. 2 Silver Ferns.
"I am thrilled that the Thistles will be hosting a star-studded Silver Ferns squad in Glasgow this November - this will be an incredible preparation opportunity for our 2026 international season.
"We will be ready for the challenge, and we can't wait to have a Thistles Army of supporters packed into the venue and getting around us."
The Ferns will head south to take on the England Roses at Copper Box Arena in London on 15 and 16 November before moving to AO Arena in Manchester.
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