Nweke in line for NZ selection after eligibility change
Grace Nweke could be in line to play for the Silver Ferns this year after Netball New Zealand changed its eligibility criteria.
The NNZ board announced yesterday it had reviewed its international selection policy and updated its eligibility criteria, allowing more flexibility for athletes who wanted to play domestically overseas.
Athletes who are playing abroad can now be considered for Silver Ferns selection through a formal exemption process, which will be implemented before the upcoming international season against South Africa and Australia.
It would have clear guidelines and assessment measures for any future exemption applications, NNZ said in a statement.
Chairman Matt Whineray said the board recognised the need for a more flexible and responsive approach.
"We've listened to the game and believe this is a positive step forward,' Whineray said.
"This update strikes a balance between flexibility and fairness, acknowledging the increasingly global nature of netball while continuing to protect the integrity of our domestic competitions and the mana of the Silver Ferns."
Nweke was initially denied the right to represent the Silver Ferns this season after opting to ply her trade in Australia with the New South Wales Swifts.
Nweke, who has earned 38 caps, has held the goal shoot bib since debuting in 2021.
It should be news that pleases fans, as the Silver Ferns could have been without two shooters for the South Africa series. Amelia Walmsley has committed to the Netball World Youth Cup programme in September.
Chief executive Jennie Wyllie said the change ensured players were supported through clear and transparent decision-making.
"Ultimately, the purpose of this proposed process is to ensure that all exemption requests are evaluated fairly, consistently, and transparently,' Wyllie said.
"It safeguards the athlete through a structured and transparent approach, while upholding the broader interests of Netball New Zealand, the Silver Ferns, and the ANZ Premiership competition."
NNZ also confirmed the ANZ Premiership will go ahead with all six teams and remain at 10 rounds for the 2026 season.
It will be played in a similar timeframe due to the Commonwealth Games in late July next year.
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RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Netball: Third-time lucky Tactix win their first ANZ Premiership title
Tactix players as they celebrate winning the final. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Nothing pleased Tactix coach Donna Wilkins more than seeing her veteran players win their first ANZ Premiership title in the red dress in Auckland on Sunday night. The Mainland Tactix won netball's ANZ Premiership for the first time by stunning the Northern Mystics 58-46 in the grand final. For Jane Watson, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Erikana Pedersen, and Ellie Bird - they had suffered two heart-breaking grand final losses in 2020 and 2021. They came the closest in 2021, losing by just two goals to the Mystics. By then Karin Burger had joined the side and had well and truly become a stalwart of the team. Wilkins said the thought of winning an elusive title was what kept bringing some of the older players back. "It's pretty special… we don't know who's going to come back next year, our focus has been on finals. 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I told them they needed to get touches early and Jane did right from the get-go so it made it a little bit doubtful for them to just let rip and throw that ball in," Wilkins said. "They were doing one or two more passes before they would launch it in, whereas a couple of weeks ago it was just 'catch-boom', so we needed to nullify that connection between Peta [Toeava] and Donnell and I think we did a good job of that. "And because we are so clinical in looking after our own possession off our centre pass, even if teams hit a couple of two point shots, they don't make headway and we showed that on Monday night." Once again Wilkins stuck with her starting seven, apart from a brief period where Pedersen had to come off the court due to cramping. "Everything was going, my toes, my calves, my quads, my hips… but we knew we needed to prepare for a tough game, I think Teeps [Selby-Rickit] started cramping as well," Pedersen said. 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Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Title drought over as Tactix prevail against Mystics
That was well worth the wait. From the first centre pass to the final whistle the Mainland Tactix were brutally dominant to beat the Northern Mystics 58-46 and win their first national league title in Auckland last night. There were tears, hugs and smiles as the Tactix realised a dream 28 years in the making for the region. They have finally been rewarded after falling short in the 2020 and 2021 ANZ Premiership finals. Their predecessor, the Canterbury Flames, were also runners-up in four finals. Wilkins, a former Southern Steel player, joined Mystics coach Tia Winikeri and Otago great, the late Georgie Salter in winning a title in their inaugural year as head coach. It is the first time a South Island team has won since the Steel's 2017-18 reign and it snapped the Mystics' hopes of a three-peat and their 100% finals success rate. Tactix captain Erikana Pedersen spoke through tears about what it meant to her franchise. "Really, really proud. Obviously really emotional," Pedersen told Sky Sport. "I know how hard we've worked, not just this season, but honestly, over the last like how many years. "The franchise has done so well, the region has really struck behind us through the us and downs. "I thought we brought the energy right from the beginning. We were hungry for this. "A lot of people doubted us, but we had the full belief that we could do it." Ellie Bird was strong in her final game for the Tactix and Pedersen alluded to other players moving on as well. After going down 70-56 to the Mystics two weeks ago, the Tactix were determined to turn it around. They did it their way — playing smart, clinical and simple netball which has worked all season. Jane Watson went for an early fly, forcing a fumble from the Mystics. Karin Burger took her feet through the ball to snaffle a midcourt intercept and it gave the Tactix confidence to put their foot down. They went on a seven-point run to lead 10-4 and put all the pressure on the Mystics. Watson and Donnell Wallam had a fiery battle in the circle, with neither backing down from the challenge. The Mystics coughed up seven turnovers in the opening quarter and became frustrated as they worked hard to turn around the deficit. But the Tactix kept it simple and led 17-8 at the break. Their energy across court was palpable, while the Mystics were flat and flustered from the Tactix dominance. The Tactix were patient on attack, never afraid to work the ball until they found their way to Bird under the post. The Mystics started to find their feet, double-teaming Bird and making the entry to the Tactix circle hard. They put more pressure on through court, forcing the Tactix to constantly look for a square option. But the Tactix restored a 31-22 lead at halftime. The Mystics took a gamble pushing Peta Toeava to goal attack and Tayla Earle into wing attack. It brought Katie Te Ao into centre. Pedersen picked off a through court tip, Bird dodged on the base and suddenly the Tactix led by 12. They were up for the fight, chasing down every loose ball, backing each other up and Pedersen constantly put her body on the line and held a 47-36 lead at the break. The Mystics started to eat into the lead at the end of the fourth. But Paris Lokotui picked up a crucial intercept with under four minutes to go, stopping any Mystics momentum building. Pedersen limped off the court with cramp, embraced by her coach as the clock ticked down. ANZ Premiership The scores Mainland Tactix 58 Ellie Bird 50 (50/53), Te Paea Selby-Rickit 8 (8/11) Northern Mystics 46 Donnell Wallam 38 (38/43), Filda Vui 5 (5/10), Peta Toeava 1 (1/1). Quarter scores: Tactix 17-8, 31-22, 47-36.
NZ Herald
10 hours ago
- NZ Herald
ANZ Premiership: Mainland Tactix break drought, defeating Mystics in grand final
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