Latest news with #Nweke
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Vixens beat Swifts by one goal to reach grand final
The Melbourne Vixens have punched their ticket to a Super Netball grand final with a sensational one-goal win after Swifts attacker Helen Housby missed her shot in the dying second. The Swifts were in pole position to reach the decider after building a 10-goal lead at the final break of their preliminary final at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday. But the Vixens, determined to extend retiring coach Simone McKinnis's reign by one more week, sprung to life and built a 65-64 lead. Swifts star Grace Nweke levelled the scores at 65-65, before Vixens goalshooter Sophie Garbin returned serve to restore the visitors' one-goal lead. Housby then had the chance to send the game into extra time when she received the ball in the circle in the dying seconds, but sent it over. The Vixens face West Coast in next Saturday's grand final and will enjoy home-court advantage at Rod Laver Arena under Super Netball's controversial policy of selling hosting rights for the decider. Vixens shooter Garbin was on song with 46 goals from 47 attempts, while captain Kate Moloney finished with 24 goal assists and 35 feeds. The visitors were cleaner and took their chances better in a frantic opening term to take a 15-12 lead at the first break. But the home side wrestled back momentum when Nweke pulled off seven consecutive goals, launching the Swifts ahead 31-29 in the second quarter. Nweke's attacking work was complemented by wing defence Sharni Lambden, who worked hard to nullify Vixen opponent Zara Walters. Vixens coach McKinnis was forced to turn to the bench in a bid to free up their attack, handing Tara Watson her Super Netball debut in place of Walters. McKinnis again threw around the magnets when the Swifts burst to a six-goal lead midway through the third term, moving Diamonds star Jo Weston into wing defence and bringing Kate Eddy into goal defence. But NSW rolled with the punches and broke out to a 51-41 lead, before the Vixens came home in a flurry. Swifts centre and co-captain Paige Hadley's impact was immediately felt on return from a foot injury, as Nweke rediscovered her form in attack with 53 goals from 58 attempts.
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.
Perth Now
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Fever destroy Swifts to secure netball grand final spot
West Coast Fever have secured a grand final berth and destroyed the confidence of the NSW Swifts in the process after posting a dominant 77-45 win in the major semi-final at RAC Arena. In a performance for the ages, West Coast led 46-20 at half-time and 60-28 late in the third quarter as the Swifts imploded in front of a bustling Green Army crowd of 11,838 in Perth. Sunday's result means the second-placed Swifts will now need to dust themselves off for next week's home preliminary final against the Melbourne Vixens, who defeated two-time defending champions Adelaide 58-56 in the minor semi-final earlier in the day. The ladder-leading Fever will enjoy a week off before featuring in the August 2 grand final at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. Star Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard finished with 65 goals from 66 attempts to go with one Super Shot, while goalkeeper Sunday Aryang was huge with seven gains and two intercepts. Swifts goal shooter Grace Nweke endured a shocker, hitting just 23 goals from 28 attempts while committing a whopping nine turnovers. The Fever's rise to the grand final is remarkable given they were 0-2 and bottom of the ladder before Fowler-Nembhard's return sparked a run of 13 straight wins - a Super Netball record. "I'm just really proud of the team," Fever coach Dan Ryan told Fox Sports. "Their performance across the 60 minutes was amazing. "To play that quality of netball under the pressure of semi-finals is just amazing." NSW opened the season with a perfect 8-0 record but limped into the finals with four losses from their last six games. With no Paige Hadley (foot) or Teigan O'Shannassy (back), the Swifts were simply no match for the Fever. Fowler-Nembhard was a dominant force in the opening quarter, nailing 20 goals to give the Fever a 20-11 lead at the first break. At the other end, Nweke was struggling. The star NZ shooter committed a whopping five turnovers to go with three penalties in the opening term. In a further blow for the Swifts, centre Verity Simmons rolled her ankle late in the quarter and had to go off for treatment. Nweke's nightmare continued early in the second term when she missed two easy shots in the space of a few minutes. By the time Simmons was able to re-enter play with eight minutes remaining in the half, the Fever already led 31-17. Nweke was benched in favour of Sophie Fawns as the Swifts desperately searched for answers. West Coast scored the last 12 goals of the second quarter to enter the long break with a 26-goal lead, meaning the second half was effectively junk time. The final margin - 32 goals - was the largest in a Super Netball semi-final.
Otago Daily Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Silver Ferns coach's Australian foray allows her to ‘stay sharp'
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has been spreading her wings across the Ditch. Taurua returned home yesterday after a three-week professional development stint with the New South Wales Swifts, strengthening the connection between the Silver Ferns and the Australian Super Netball club. The Swifts are home to Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke and coach Briony Akle, who is a specialist coach with the Silver Ferns. Taurua previously spent nine days as a specialist with the club last season. Taurua joined the Swifts for their past three games, the Swifts beating the Adelaide Thunderbirds 65-57, the Queensland Firebirds 71-63 and the Melbourne Vixens 59-51 to remain the only unbeaten team after five games. Those games allowed Taurua to sight Jamaicans Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, who is now pregnant, Latanya Wilson and Romelda Aiken-George, Ugandan shooter Mary Cholhok and English Roses Imogen Allison and Helen Housby. Netball New Zealand head of high performance Stephen Hotter said the relationship benefited everyone and helped build connections. ''Coaching opportunities such as this engagement are essential for Dame Noeline to stay sharp and engaged at an elite level during the domestic season,'' Hotter said. ''It also enables Noeline to observe top international talent and note the progress that they've made in their game and it enables us to stay connected and support Grace where needed.'' Taurua had been impressed by Nweke's performances in the tough league, where she already looked fitter, stronger and had adjusted her game. Nweke leads the competition with 249 goals from 266 attempts — Melbourne Mavericks Jamaican shooter Shimona Jok is next on 235 — and is third for offensive rebounds with 15. Nweke is ineligible to play internationally at present due to NNZ criteria requiring players to hone their craft domestically in New Zealand. Taurua told Newstalk ZB last week her stance had not changed on wanting Nweke to be available for the Silver Ferns, but understood the NNZ board's point of view as well. She hoped they could meet in the middle in the near future. Taurua is no stranger to the Australian league. She was the inaugural coach of the Sunshine Coast Lightning and led them to back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. She returned home in time for the ANZ Premiership season, which got under way at the weekend.
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Silver Ferns skipper criticises test eligibility criteria, calls for Grace Nweke exception
The 34-year-old told Newstalk ZB she will never meet the requirements, and will have to choose when to cut ties for an opportunity abroad. 'Reaching 100 is impossible for me. I won't reach 100 if I look to still play over in Suncorp [Super Netball]. The eligibility is quite tough because we have only got a handful of centurions. 'If we stick with that eligibility criteria, there would've only been a couple of people who would've been able to actually go and play [abroad]. Who knows if that needs to be revisited?' Nweke put up 54 goals to help the top of the table Swifts to their fourth victory of the season over former Stars coach Kiri Wills' Firebirds on Sunday. Ekenasio said Nweke's presence is vital for the Ferns. 'Grace is a one-of-a-kind type of player. Purely as a player, I'd love to see her playing because she's an asset to our team, massively. I love playing with her. I'll be eagerly awaiting whenever that decision is locked in.' Nweke has been vocal about her desire to still represent the Ferns, telling the Inside Netball podcast she is still holding out hope of playing tests in 2025. NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie said at the ANZ Premiership launch there is no update on the board's plan to review the selection policy, but it is 'on the agenda'. Wyllie last month said they are aware of Nweke's comments and the board will examine the criteria. 'They are continually reviewing and revising their views on it, so that's certainly something for our board to discuss.' Wyllie said she will stand by the board's decision. 'But I am encouraging them to make sure we continue to show flexibility and review these policies as they are needed.' Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has also expressed her desire for Nweke to receive an exemption. The 23-year-old has been retained in the national side's leadership group and Taurua is in regular contact with her. New Zealand will play South Africa in three home tests in the Taini Jamison Trophy series in September. The Ferns will then attempt to defend the Constellation Cup against the Australia Diamonds across four tests, two either side of the Tasman.
