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Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Nweke in line for NZ selection after eligibility change
Grace Nweke. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES 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.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
End of season came too soon for Steel coach
Wendy Frew would dearly love another round. The Southern Steel coach knows the potential her side possessed this season — and that they could have done even better had the ANZ Premiership not been slashed back to 10 rounds. They wrapped up their season on Monday night to finish fourth, their highest finish since 2022, with five wins and five losses. Preseason injuries stunted the Steel's preparation, and losing co-captain and Silver Fern Kate Heffernan for the early rounds was a big blow. The Steel were slow out of the blocks, and lost three on the trot in the middle of the season, but they came home strongly, and there is a general feeling they are on the right path. "We'd love another round," Frew said. "You kind of look back and think you're that one win away from the top three. "I feel like this group of players could have been really competitive in the top three, so that hurts us. "But we'll learn from it and we'll be better off for that experience. Especially those players who haven't experienced just missing out. "It'll grow them as players and just make them probably extremely hungry for the future." There are always highs and lows from every campaign, but it is hard to look past the Steel beating the Central Pulse 58-57 in round seven as the moment of the season. After getting a 25-point hiding earlier in the season, the bench erupted in pure ecstasy at the final whistle. "The Pulse game was a biggie for us. After the game, you just see pure joy." Several players flourished in their first season in the blue and pink. Defender Carys Stythe took a "massive punt" leaving the premiership-winning Northern Mystics to join the Steel. But she reached new heights in leading the competition for defensive rebounds (21) and ranking third for deflections (52) and intercepts (19), and was "exceptional", Frew said. Aliyah Dunn returned home to Invercargill and was rock-solid under the hoop, finishing second in the league for shooting accuracy. She nailed 383 from 400 attempts in the one-point zone. Her coach would not mind seeing her get an international recall. "Oh, I'd love to see Aliyah in a Ferns dress," Frew said. "That's up to the Ferns, and the Ferns selectors, but I think she's had a tremendous season." Young Serina Daunakamakama stepped up at wing attack early in the season and Frew said she was one to watch for the future. Daunakamakama, Summer Temu and Khayne-Lii Munro-Nonoa will all trial at the end of the month for the New Zealand under-21 side for the Netball World Youth Cup. Frew has grown in the role of head coach in her first season at the helm. The former Southern Steel captain has a proud history with the franchise — including being a centurion — and said there had been a lot to learn in her inaugural season. "I think you learn on the spot. "I've been really proud of the campaign I've put together, but there's always going to be work. "For me, I'm just so extremely lucky to have La [assistant Liana Leota] by my side. "She obviously had so much experience and she's guided me in ways where, as a new coach, I was trying to find my feet. "I'll be forever grateful to her, and all of the management team, just having my back and ensuring we're working as a team." Frew acknowledged the same 10 contracted players never returned to any franchise each year and many would get offers elsewhere. But she backed the talent among the squad and would love nothing more than to have the core back hunting for that elusive title next year. "It'd be great to keep the bulk of the squad. "From what we've created, and how we've grown this year as a team, if we can push on and get a good majority of them back, it'll be an exciting season for next year."
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel need a favour, but focus on their own must-win
It is always an odd feeling when your fate could be decided before you even step on the court. But the Southern Steel are well aware of the scenario they are now in and no matter what, Monday's clash against the Northern Stars is being treated as another must-win. The Steel sit just outside the playoffs in fourth on the ANZ Premiership ladder. They have a record of 4-5 (14 points) and a goal for/against ratio of 101%. The Central Pulse are third with a record of 5-4 (16 points) and a goal for/against ratio of 111%. To make the playoffs, the Steel must first beat the Stars. But if the Pulse beat the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic this afternoon, they are through to the elimination final. However, if the Pulse lose by six or more, and the Steel win, the Steel will advance to the playoffs. If the Pulse lose by less than six, and the Steel win, it will come down to goal differential for the Steel to make it through. "Leading into the Stars game, yeah we'll know by then what our fate is, but we're still prepping for a really important must-win game for us," head coach Wendy Frew said. "We've put ourselves in that situation now being reliant on another team. That's disappointing, but we'll grow a lot from that as a franchise. "I think if you haven't been in the situation, and you've missed out before by a goal differential, or bonus points, it's really character building. Some of these girls haven't been in that situation before." The Steel head into the last regular game of the season off the back of a 56-52 bonus-point loss to the Northern Mystics last week. It was a tough encounter against the defending champions, but Frew asked her players "to leave everything out on court", and felt as though they had followed her instructions. "I was proud of the effort — obviously disappointed we didn't get the win. "There were moments that we could have taken the win, so we'll just learn from those." They need to put their foot down against the Stars, who have struggled with an injury-plagued season. The Aucklanders have recorded just the one win this season — but that does not mean anything. "They're still a threat to us. "We have a lot of respect for them and we will not be taking any aspect of their game lightly. "There's always a lot of emotion going into last games and the Stars will be the same. "It'll be a tough game for us and we just need to make sure we execute the game plan." The Steel are looking at another sold-out game in Invercargill on Monday. Frew credited the exceptional support for the franchise, saying both Otago and Southland had got right behind them throughout the season. Young attackers Serina Daunakamakama and Summer Temu are nursing niggles and are expected to miss Monday's game. The duo were being treated with caution as they could both be in line to play at the Netball World Youth Cup in September, Frew said. The Mystics meet the Mainland Tactix tomorrow. The winner will automatically go through to the final — and have hosting rights — while the loser will play the elimination final next week. ANZ Premiership Monday, Invercargill, 7.35pm Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan,Kimiora Poi, Kate Heffernan, Renee Savai'inaea, Carys Stythe, Abby Lawson, Khayne-Lii Munro-Nonoa. Northern Stars: Charlie Bell, Maia Wilson, Tori Kolose, Mila Reueli-Buchanan, Samon Nathan, Lisa Mather, Lili Tokaduaduda, Remi Kamo, Kayla Johnson.
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
New Zealand U21 Triallists Named
Netball New Zealand has today confirmed the 23 athletes invited to attend trials for selection for the NZU21 team to play in the upcoming Netball World Youth Cup. The trials will take place in Auckland from Wednesday 30 July to Friday 1 August. Following a comprehensive selection process, the Emerging Talent Selection Panel – Adrienne Morrin, Robin Manihera, and Deb Tasi-Cordtz – in collaboration with NZ U21 Head coach Julie Seymour and assistant coach Te Aroha Keenan, has named a talented group of athletes who will assemble in Auckland for the three-day trials. The majority of triallists have been drawn from the current NZ U21 squad, having been closely observed over the past 12–16 months through national U21 camps, international tours, and domestic competitions – including this season's Synergy Hair Netball League and the ANZ Premiership. Three athletes – Stacey Ah Van, Losa Fifita, and Sophia Lafaiali'i – have been selected from outside the current NZ U21 programme. All three have featured on the Emerging Talent Panel's depth chart and have continued to impress with their performances throughout the 2025 season. The full list of selected triallists is as follows: No. Name ANZ Premiership team/Zone team2025 1 Amelia Walmsley Pulse 2 Avah Sila Northern 3 Brooklyn Murray WBOP 4 Charlice Bryce WBOP 5 Charlotte Manley Mystics 6 Ella Southby South 7 Josie Seymour Mainland 8 Kaiya Kepa WBOP 9 Kate Taylor Magic 10 Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa Steel 11 Laura Balmer Pulse 12 Losa Fifita Northern 13 Madison Thomas Central 14 Phoenix Schwalger Central 15 Priscilla Rasmussen Northern 16 Sarah Guiney Central 17 Serina Daunakamakama Steel 18 Shayla Nepia Northern 19 Sienna Stowers-Smith Mainland 20 Sophia Lafaiali'i Mystics 21 Stacey Ah Van Northern 22 Summer Temu Steel 23 Taiana Day Mainland The final team of 12 to represent New Zealand at the Netball World Youth Cup will be announced on 4 August.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Walmsley aims for U21, Ferns
Amelia Walmsley of the Silver Ferns in action during the 2023 Constellation Cup series. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Amelia Walmsley has signalled her intent to represent both the New Zealand under-21 side and the Silver Ferns this season. The six-cap Silver Fern, who could have a big role to play with starting shooter Grace Nweke ineligible, has made herself available for the under-21 squad for the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar in late September. However that means she will be out for the Silver Ferns Taini Jamieson series against South Africa in the same month. The Silver Ferns are set to play the Proteas in Auckland, Napier, and Invercargill from September 21 to 28. Incumbent shooter Maia Wilson could be in line for more game time at the back and some players could be in line for a recall for the series with two main goal shoots out. Walmsley, 21, confirmed her availability for the Constellation Cup series against Australia in October. "This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one I feel truly privileged to be in a position to make," Walmsley said. "I'm confident I can fully commit to both New Zealand under-21 and Silver Ferns campaigns should the opportunity arise." Making herself available for both programmes came down to a desire to test herself in a World Cup environment to set herself up for the future. "Equally important to me is the opportunity to return to the Silver Ferns space after the tournament, if selected. "Wearing the black dress is something I never take for granted. "Ultimately, this decision allows me to gain the best of both worlds." Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua commended Walmsley for her maturity in working through the decision. "We fully support Amelia's decision to make herself available for both teams and have worked closely with her to ensure she has a sustainable plan in place," Taurua said. "What she could gain from the Netball World Youth Cup is invaluable. "We're proud of the way she's approached this decision. "There are no guarantees around selection for either team, but her intent and commitment speak volumes."
