Securing their first win in Australia since 2019 helped the Silver Ferns claim the 2024 Constellation Cup with a defining 61-43 win over the Diamonds in the third test of the series in Perth on Sunday.

The Silver Ferns had to withstand a torrid first half challenge from the world champions, digging deep through their growing resilience and absorbing everything Australia could throw at them before unleashing with an impressive second half response during which they restricted their opponents to single-digit returns during the third and fourth quarters.

The 18-goal winning margin followed hot on the heels of 14 and 11-goal margins in the opening two tests in New Zealand, the first time they have won three Constellation Cup matches in a row in the same year and just the third time the Silver Ferns have won the Constellation Cup since its inception in 2010.

``We knew this was a super big game for us, we haven’t won in Australia for so long and we knew it was just going to be us out there and I’m a bit lost for words but we’re just so stoked and I’m so proud,’’ Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said.

``We knew we came in here as underdogs, that Australia is such a quality team and this is probably the hardest 60 minutes we’ve ever played and we almost had nothing to lose. And that inspired the fight in us.’’

For the third successive match, the Silver Ferns retained the same starting seven while the Diamonds, searching for the right formula, tinkered in making three changes, including starting with the well-performed Sophie Dwyer at goal attack.

On home soil and fighting to keep the series alive, the Diamonds demonstrated a stronger than previously-seen resolve from the outset.

The Silver Ferns started strongly enough to take an early lead, the speed and flow of Australia’s natural attack game paying dividends with Sophie Garbin and Dwyer excelling through their vibrant shooter-to-shooter connection.

The midcourt pressure and smothering defence told at times on the Silver Ferns as errors crept in, the visitors however, holding their own to keep the scores tied up at 13-all at the first break.

The Silver Ferns secured the opening two goals on the resumption, the second stanza revealing the tightest of tussles between the great trans-Tasman rivals. The lead changed hands a couple of times before midcourter Kimiora Poi found her target of key shooting weapon Grace Nweke with more confidence while the defensive end of Kate Heffernan, Karin Burger and Kelly Jackson added extra squeeze as they tightened the margins.

Showing their growing resilience and ability to fend off a dogged Australia, the Silver Ferns kept their noses in front 28-26 at the main break, the Diamonds having more opportunities but the Silver Ferns proving the more accurate under the hoop.

Scoring the first three goals of the third term helped the Silver Ferns turn the corner and into a dominant and pivotal 15 minutes of the game. The defensive end for the women in black became more prominent with Heffernan, Burger and Jackson picking off crucial extra possession.

At the other end, Ekenasio provided valuable support to Nweke under the hoop, the captain sinking valuable long-range shots as the Silver Ferns absorbed a physical challenge from the Diamonds to deliver an improved through-court flow while flexing their stamp on the game.

Australia introduced Georgie Horjus at wing attack for captain Liz Watson for her test debut and Sunday Aryang at wing defence but they could not contain a determined Silver Ferns who continued to grow in confidence.

Winning their first third quarter of the series, the Silver Ferns opened the gates with an 18-9 scoreline to leave them well-placed when leading 46-35 at the last turn.

The Silver Ferns continued to capture greater turnover opportunities which further enhanced their possession tally, nailing home their advantage to finish with a flourish and a rare 3-0 start to the Constellation Cup series.

Building through the international window, the Silver Ferns took another step up when delivering a morale-boosting 61-56 win over England in the third match of the Taini Jamison Trophy in Invercargill on Sunday.

After losing the first two Tests by one and four-goal margins, the Silver Ferns were intent in denying England a clean sweep before going on to maintain their unbeaten record against the Roses in the Deep South with a heartening response in the series finale.

Retaining an unchanged seven for the entire match, the Silver Ferns led at each quarter break, at times rocketing out to positions of control and at others, defending stoutly to keep an ever-challenging England at bay.

Growing throughout the series, the Silver Ferns showed their resilience on the back of better through-court connections, ball retention and composure while the twin towers at either end of the court in shooter Grace Nweke and defender Kelly Jackson, made invaluable individual contributions.

Making her international debut at the beginning of the series, Claire O’Brien returned to the game-day 12 for the Silver Ferns to make her first start after injury ruled fellow wing attack Whitney Souness out of contention.

Karin Burger got the start at wing defence while rookie Parris Mason earned her second straight start in the goal defence bib.

For the Roses, wing defence Ellie Rattu and goal keeper Razia Quashie got their first action of the series after being named in the England starting line-up.

The Silver Ferns still had the odd problem threading the ball through the midcourt but with key target Nweke making the best of starts with her positioning for well-directed feeds and accuracy under the hoop, the home side kept their noses in front through a fast-paced and high-scoring opening stanza.

The crack England pairing of Liv Tchine and Helen Housby shared the shooting load expertly but with the quality service of ball finding its way into Nweke’s hands, the Silver Ferns shaded the Roses 18-16 heading into the first break.

The second quarter produced a flurry of activity with the lead changing hands several times. With England centre Imogen Allison heading to the sidelines after a heavy fall, a reshuffled Roses midcourt worked the ball expertly into their shooting duo.

A couple of untimely attacking lapses from the Silver Ferns gave England the opportunity to push into the lead before the defensive trio of Jackson, Mason and Burger staged a stirring revival from the home side.

Getting their hands to plenty of turnover opportunities while also causing hesitation in the England attacking set-up, the Silver Ferns produced a telling six-goal unanswered streak to re-take the lead.

At times, the ball flew back and forth in frenetic fashion, the Silver Ferns maintaining their composure to steady the ship and take a handy 32-28 lead into the main break.

The intensity lifted a notch during a helter-skelter third quarter where turnovers featured highly as both teams contested every play.

The Silver Ferns had the better of the opening minutes with Maddy Gordon and O’Brien attacking the circle edge to precision, perfect finishing from Nweke helping the home side maintain their buffer.

At the other end, the quality shooting of Tchine and smart play of Housby and Lois Pearson ensured England were always within touching distance. With both sides defending furiously, England made better use of their extra opportunities, scooping up late turnovers to narrow the gap as the Silver Ferns took a tenuous 47-46 lead at the last turn.

The Silver Ferns came out steaming and full of determination to start the final stanza, an opening 8-2 burst in the first six minutes putting the home side in a position of control.

The tall figures of Nweke under the shooting hoop and Jackson as the last line of defence led the way. Jackson was immense in disrupting England’s scoring opportunities with her ability to get hand to ball while Nweke showed her class under pressure with her accuracy and finishing ability. 

 
Official Result and Stats: 

Silver Ferns: 61
Vitality Roses: 56

Champion Data Match Centre

Shooting Stats - Silver Ferns:
Grace Nweke: 48/52 (92.3%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio: 13/14 (92.9%)

Shooting Stats - England:
Liv Tchine: 34/36 (94.4%)
Helen Housby: 18/22 (81.8%)
Lois Pearson: 4/7 (57.1%)
  

The Silver Ferns produced plenty of optimism for the upcoming international window despite being pipped 59-58 by England in a thrilling opening match of the Taini Jamison Trophy in Auckland on Sunday.

Fresh off a three-match series against Australia, a match-ready England provided the difference for the visitors when it counted, the Silver Ferns unable to nail the crucial moments but showcasing some new combinations, resilience to fight back and for the most part a quality brand of netball.

It was the closest of contests with the Silver Ferns winning the first quarter by one goal, England prevailing by one in each of the second and third quarters, followed by a drawn fourth, highlighting how evenly matched the teams are.

With a nod to the future, midcourter Claire O’Brien and defender Parris Mason also got on for their Silver Ferns debuts, slotting in well to embrace the enormity of a high-pressured situation.

``We probably had a few too many turnovers but I think when we were good, we were really good,’’ Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said.

``I think we just had a few too many patches where we lost a few in a row, and that’s dangerous when you’re playing at international level and we have to be better at that. Now in the next two tests, we’ve got to come out firing with that real dogged and mongrel attitude.’’

Returning to the Silver Ferns after an absence of two years, Kimiora Poi (10 tests) got the start at wing attack for the home side in the series opener, with Maddy Gordon lining up at centre and Kate Heffernan, wing defence, to form a pacey midcourt.

After making her international debut in the recent series against Australia, England’s Lois Pearson (three tests) was named at wing attack for the Roses, making the respective wing attacks the least experienced in both line-ups.

Poi and Gordon featured prominently in the opening stanza with their quick release ball in to key shooter Grace Nweke as the New Zealanders got away to a confident start.

With Silver Ferns defenders Karin Burger, through her hunting ability, in tandem with the disruptive reach of Kelly Jackson, the Silver Ferns enjoyed the slightest of edges through an action-packed opening. More defensive gains helped the Silver Ferns hold a tenuous 15-14 lead at the first break.

The England Roses found their shooting range on the resumption with the experienced Helen Housby dictating play from goal attack while Liv Tchine showed her accuracy from all areas of the circle.

Respective goal defences Burger, for the Silver Ferns and England’s Funmi Fadoju both shone through their aerial ability to pluck off unlikely intercepts while Nweke showcased her influential presence with a perfect 25 from 25 as the teams headed to the main break all tied up at 29-all.

O’Brien took over at wing attack for the second half, with Maia Wilson also having a stint at goal attack while Hannah Joseph replaced Pearson at wing attack for the visitors, the arm wrestle continuing before England crept ahead.

With goalkeeper Fran Williams picking off ball from Nweke and centre Imogen Allison a key figure on attack, England moved out to a four-goal lead.

Operating from centre, Gordon was injected back into proceedings, her impact instant through her precision feeding to Nweke, vision and hustling defensive work as the Silver Ferns came roaring back.

With the contest back on a knife-edge, it was England who clung on to a slim 45-44 advantage at the last turn.

A goal-for-goal stand-off through the final quarter produced an intense and pulsating run to the finish line with neither side backing off.

With O’Brien delivering a standout showing on debut, the 21-year-old Mason was also thrown into the heat of battle, making her debut with just under seven minutes to go.

The Silver Ferns pushed hard, levelling up with just over two minutes to go but with their noses in front, England were able to keep the ball in hand to hold on for the win, leaving much to anticipate in Wednesday night’s second test in Porirua.
 
Official Result and Stats: 

Silver Ferns: 58
Vitality Roses: 59

Champion Data Match Centre

Shooting Stats - Silver Ferns:
Grace Nweke 49/55 (89%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio 7/8 (88%)
Maia Wilson 2/2 (100%)

Shooting Stats - England:
Liv Tchine 41/25 (91%)
Helen Housby 18/21 (86%)

Local netball team ABL Chicos is this week celebrating its longstanding success and decades of milestones as it heads towards the team’s 17th final in the Wakatipu Premier league, to be held this Saturday (August 10th) at the Queenstown Event Centre at 5pm.

The team, co-sponsored by Amalgamated Builders Ltd (or ABL) and Chicos Bar and Grill, has been playing for more than 25 years.

Chicos ABL arguably legendary in this town, not only because so many of them have been playing together for so long, not only because they’ve won the much sought-after Premier Wakatipu Netball Championship Cup more than any other team in the league, but because all its members are involved as leaders in the netball community.

Last year, the entire team was awarded the “Contribution to Netball Cup” in 2012, an award traditionally only given to individuals.

Side-line coach and reserve Kay O’Connell, herself a recipient of the cup in 2010, said it was precisely for these reasons that the team was so successful.

“It’s hard to hold on to players in Queenstown because we’re such a transient town, so when you have a team like us that has had a core group for so many years who also coach and umpire, you get good results,” she said.

“We’re all very serious about the game and its development in the region, so that translates to the way we play on the court.

“As a team who know each other well, we can also identify when and where we need to improve our game and make the necessary changes together,” she said.

Indeed, many of the ABL Chico’s players have represented at regional and national level over the years, nowadays playing regularly in the South Island Masters Games, and they’re frequent fixtures courtside during netball season, whether to umpire, coach, manage, organise, or all of the above.

Mrs O’Connell, who has been with ABL Chicos for nine years, is President of the Wakatipu Netball Association organising the draw each week. She coaches Rep teams, the Remarkables Primary School team Yr 7A-8A, selects age group rep teams, organises sponsorship funding for the centre and co-ordinates umpires for the centre while also umpiring herself.

The team’s longest serving member is goal attack Tracee Harris, whose father Pat Burke set up the Queenstown ABL branch in the 1980s. Pat and Tracee arranged the team sponsorship when she started playing after high school in the 1990s.

Mrs Harris, who has left and rejoined the team, once to travel and once in a vain attempt at retiring, has been playing for more than 20 years. She also coaches Wakatipu High School Year 9B team.

Lisa Murphy, another player who has unsuccessfully tried to retire, is another long-serving member, racking up at least 20 seasons of game time in goal defence positions. She is president of the Wakatipu High School Netball Club, coaches the Wakatipu U17 Representative team, holds her New Zealand B umpires badge and coaches the Wakatipu High School Senior A team, the very team ABL Chicos will play in the final.

Sherrie Gwerder, ABL Chico’s goal shoot and one of the youngest players, jointly coaches the Wakatipu High School Snr A team with Lisa, and is also involved in coaching age group rep teams. Sherrie has been with ABL Chico’s for 6 years, only taking a break to travel overseas.

Mrs O’Connell said the high school team were strong contenders with a number of talented individuals.

“During this season we have won by 2, then drawn and in the last game played against the High School we won by just 2 points,” she said.

“They seem to be getting fitter each year while our bodies seem to hurt more! It should be a close final.”

Although ABL Chicos players are passing on to their opponents the knowledge and skills that have helped them succeed over many years, Mrs O’Connell said it was to the benefit of netball in general.

“It’s been great to see how the next generation of Wakatipu netballers are performing and benefitting from many years’ experience from their coaches,” she said.

“At some point we actually will retire and it’ll be great to see these girls keep going and maybe picking up where we’ve left off.”

Some ABL Chico’s players will even play against their daughters in this year’s final. Lisa Murphy’s daughter, Jordan and Corrine Dix’s daughter, Te Paia Dix both play for the senior A team and have played against their mums over the 2013 season. 

Goal defender Mrs Dix has been playing for six years and coaches Wakatipu High School Yr 10A team, coaches at weekly Southland Netball Academy sessions in Queenstown and is also involved in coaching age group rep teams.

Wing defence Sharron Payne has 10 years playing and also coaches a Wakatipu High School Senior B team, as well as coaching/selecting age group rep teams, and umpiring.

Goal attack Tracy Galbraith has been with the team for 11 years. She coaches Arrowtown Primary School’s Yr 6 team and coaches/selects age group rep teams.

Sue Albrecht has six years playing mainly as goal keeper. She also coaches two Remarkables Primary School teams and co-ordinates and coaches age group rep teams for the centre.

Anna Williams is the youngest player with five years playing and is a fitness trainer for Millbrook Resort. She plays wing attack and centre.

Last but certainly not least, centre Sasha McLeod has 10 years playing, is secretary for the Wakatipu Netball Association, co-ordinates the draw each week, organises the umpires for the centre, umpires at New Zealand B grade and travels each week to umpire at the Southern league for Southland. 

Together with Mrs O’Connell they arrange the draw so players with coaching commitments can both coach and play.

ABL Queenstown director Karsten Pedersen said the company was “hugely proud” to support a team that in turn gave their all to a thriving netball community in the basin.

“Not only that, but they’re actively leading the next generation of netball players towards the fullest extent of their abilities, at a time when netball is a hugely growing spectator sport in New Zealand.”

“We should all get out there and support them in the finals game. They’re legends.”

The finals of the Wakatipu Premier league will be held on Saturday August 10th at the Queenstown Event Centre at 5pm.

Dynamic Central Pulse wing defence Joline Henry is looking forward to rekindling her netball career in the ANZ Championship this month with a new baby and sponsor on board.

Henry gave birth to a son, Te Aihireinga, in January. He is now nine weeks old and the apple of his mother’s eye.

“He is my pride and joy and makes me realise there is more to life than just netball,” says Hamilton-based 30-year-old Henry.

However, the veteran of 69 tests for the Silver Ferns is still training hard and  looking forward to her comeback to the netball court in April with a new sponsor, Kent, on board. She has been selected by Kent as its player ambassador for this year’s ANZ Championship Joline Henryseries.

“I grew up with a Kent fire in my grand parent’s home. After I had a bath I would race to the Kent fire to find my clothes laid out in front of it and they always felt nice and warm,” she said.

“It was a big part of my upbringing and a memory which has always stuck in my mind,” she said.

“It is great to have a sponsor which is local, home grown and New Zealand owned,” Henry says.

It will be Henry’s second season at the Pulse. She played wing defence, but also had a couple of games at centre in 2012. She expects to play in the mid-court this year.

Henry says The Pulse have selected arguably their strongest squad this season. The signings of former Silver Ferns Liana Leota and Donna Wilkins have added to a team which already has on its books the likes of Katrina Grant, Te Huinga Selby-Rickit, Camilla Lees, Paula Griffin and Australian international Caitlin Thwaites.

“We’ve recruited really well in positions that will make a difference for us. On top of the people we had, that gives us different options.”

“These guys [Wilkins and Leota] are seasoned, they know how to win games, they’ve been Silver Ferns … and I believe they are the best in their positions in New Zealand at the moment.”

Under the tutelage of Robyn Broughton, the side finished seventh in 2012, picking up a franchise high five wins. However, given the roster they have this season, a semifinals berth should be the minimum goal.

For this to happen, though, Henry says that consistency will be key. The side dropped a couple of games it should have won last year after working its way into a winning position.

Henry believes she still has a lot to offer New Zealand netball and is targeting a return to the Silver Ferns this year and longer term has her sights set on being part of the New Zealand team for next year’s Commonwealth Games.

“My ultimate achievement would be for us to win gold at the Commonwealth Games and then win the World Championships the following year,” she says.

- $100,000 worth of grants up for grabs nationally in ANZ Grant Scheme -

Netballers of all ages and abilities are being asked to come forward and take a shot in this season’s ANZ Grant Scheme.

Teams and individuals can apply for anything from equipment to uniforms, customised grants or just tickets to ANZ Championship games by registering their request at anzcourtside.co.nz and describing what they need and how they will benefit.

The ANZ Grant Scheme was established to support netballers by providing $100,000 worth of assistance to schools, clubs, fans and social teams across New Zealand and get more out of the game they love.

ANZ Head of Sponsorship Sue McGregor says the bank is committed to providing more support through all levels of netball:

“If your school or club needs a new set of gear or you’re a fan that really wants to see an ANZ Championship match, we encourage you to apply so ANZ can help as many aspiring netballers or fans as possible and make this their best netball season yet.”

Applications for an ANZ Grant are open now until 17 June 2013 at anzcourtside.co.nz.

The ANZ Courtside website is full of netball news and opportunities for fans to get more out of the game they love.  There’s the chance to get closer to your heroes in the Future Captains promotion, news about the ANZ Roadshow heading around the country from April, you can challenge your friends in the Score Select tipping competition, read monthly articles from a leading netball journalist and win tickets to ANZ Championship games in your region.

Ends

Contact: Melanie Bruges on behalf of ANZ, 04 801 9485 or 021 622 767

Our Seriously Social Netball league is starting on Wed 30 Jan, 6-9pm for 9 weeks of games for $220/team.

Get your own mixed team of seven together or drop Jendi a line and she'll team you up. Call 03 450 9103 or email programmes@lakesleisure.co.nz to register today.

Netball New Zealand confirmed today Ruth Aitken, former Silver Ferns coach and current Coaching Director for Netball New Zealand and LG Mystics coach will take up the position of Technical Director and National coach for Singapore from the beginning of August 2013 after the conclusion of the 2013 ANZ Championship season.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to join Netball Singapore and continue coaching in the international arena,” Aitken said. The Singapore national team has had recent success in the Asian Championships and I look forward to building on the great work of coach Kate Carpenter and her support team."

Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Raelene Castle says the contribution Ruth has given to Netball in New Zealand has been outstanding and we wish her well for her new role in Singapore.

“Ruth is an exceptional coach and while NNZ will miss her coaching services we are very pleased to keep her coaching expertise on the international stage, “she said.

About Netball Singapore:
Netball Singapore is the national body for netball in Singapore. This well-established organisation has progressed dramatically since it commenced in 1962. It has become a professionally run National Sport Association which generates a proportion of its expenditure through sponsorship and other streams of revenue-generation. The association supports 68 multi-team club members and over 330 schools have netball in their curriculum.

Netball Singapore's mission is to encourage, promote and develop netball in Singapore.  Singapore successfully hosted the World Netball Championships in July 2011 and has been awarded the rights to host the Asian Netball Championships in 2014. The National Team are currently ranked 18th in the World follow their success at the 2012 Asian Championships where they were crowned champions for the second time in their historY.

With the first year of Netball New Zealand’s new zone structure on its way, Pukekohe Netball Centre is gearing up for big changes. 

Former Silver Fern and Mystics ‘pocket rocket’, Temepara Bailey (nee George) is teaming up with the Pukekohe centre to assist their local calibre with high performance training during the 2013 netball season.

George, who is a seasoned mid-courter and is well renowned for her long standing netball service, is excited to come back to the roots of her netball career in what will be a mentoring role for Pukekohe’s future netball stars.

“I’m extremely excited to be back involved in the game”, she says.

Having first been selected as a member of the Counties Cometz Franchise team playing in the National Bank Cup, George will be heading back to Counties Manukau to work with the centre’s U15, U17, U19 and U23 representative coaches where she will be targeting and developing players’ individual strengths and weaknesses.  She will be working alongside former Silver Ferns medical team member, Doctor Jude Goulden to promote and execute fitness and nutritional plans to Pukekohe netball centre’s representative players.

“There’s a lot of fresh talent in South Auckland that gets overlooked, so this is a chance for me to give back to the community where I first trained as a member of the Cometz”, says George.

Pukekohe Netball Centre’s spokesperson, Maree Bernasconi is excited about the changes to the centre.
“The new Netball New Zealand zoning structure has enabled us to retain our top rep players to play under the Pukekohe umbrella”, she says.

The centre is choosing to invest in their representative players with new playing uniforms and tracksuits currently being sourced, and with plans underway to build an indoor training facility on the premises.
“We have a lot of talent out here and we need to ensure that, aside from all the changes, we have the players’ best interests at heart”, says Bernasconi.

The New Zealand Silver Ferns have won their second game of the 2012 Holden Netball Quad-Series with a 61-43 victory over England at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Wednesday.

The Silver Ferns opted for the same starting seven from their opening win against South Africa in Adelaide on Sunday while England made just the one change with Layla Guscoth starting at goal defence for Ama Agbeze.

New Zealand made a quick start, scoring four unanswered goals on the way to a 13-5 quarter-time lead before extending their eight-goal advantage to nine at half-time with goal attack Maria Tutaia netting a perfect 16/16 in the first-half.

England fought back after the main break to win the third quarter by one as shooter Jo Harten found her range in the goal circle to score 12 goals of 13 attempts while goal attack Pamela Cookey added four of her own.

Substitute Irene van Dyk, along with Tutaia, who finished with just one miss from 32 attempts, put the result beyond doubt in the fourth quarter with a faultless 14 from 14 to see the Silver Ferns home by 18 goals.

New Zealand’s Maria Tutaia was named MVP.

Silver Ferns selector and Hamilton City Councillor Margaret Forsyth is confident her Waikato Celebrities team can net an historic victory in a charity netball match in Hamilton this weekend.

Councillor Forsyth, who played for the Silver Ferns between 1979 and 1987, coaches the Waikato Celebrities side for a fundraising charity match against a Parliamentary Netball team on Saturday, 13 October, at Hamilton Girls High School, to support Alzheimer’s Waikato.

The Waikato Celebrities team includes Waikato Regional Councillor Paula Southgate, alongside Anne Macindoe – wife of Hamilton West MP Tim Macindoe – Creative Waikato Chief Executive Sarah Nathan and Waikato Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Sandra Perry. The Parliamentary Netball team includes Hamilton-based MP Sue Moroney and fellow Labour MP Louisa Wall, also a former Silver Fern.

“This is a great cause, and it’s tremendous some of our local personalities have agreed to be part of the match to show their support,” says Councillor Forsyth. “It will be an exciting and fun match, and I expect there will be some sore bodies the next day.”

The netball match is part of a charity double-header, with a rugby fixture between the Parliamentary Rugby team and a Waikato Celebrities side scheduled for later the same day as a curtain-raiser to the Waikato vs Hawke’s Bay Ranfurly Shield challenge at the Council-owned Waikato Stadium.

The netball match begins at 11.30, with a gold coin entry, and spectators will have a chance to mingle with the players after the match. To watch the rugby clash, spectators will need a ticket for the Ranfurly Shield challenge.

An after-match function following the rugby clash will be held at Hamilton Old Boys clubrooms, next to Waikato Stadium, from 5.30pm. The after-match event will include a charity auction, from 7.30pm, with items to be auctioned including a gliding experience, weekends away in the Thames and Coromandel area, and a cruise on Lake Taupo.

TTNL, Netball New Zealand, the five New Zealand Franchises and the New Zealand Netball Players’ Association have concluded negotiations for a new Collective Agreement to take effect for the 2013 ANZ Championship Season. 

ANZ Championship General Manager Andy Crook said he was pleased that all parties have now agreed a final position for the collective negotiations.

“The ANZ Championship continues to develop as a league and the position reached with the collective agreement supports the objectives of the players, teams and the league itself ensuring the growth of the ANZ Championship continues on an upward curve”, he said.

The Collective Agreement contains a number of changes but the key initiative is the introduction of a $380,000 salary cap for all teams and stricter control and monitoring of that spend, including a contract approval process.  The result is a harder salary cap for teams, although there remains an opportunity for franchises to enter into commercially beneficial third party arrangements for players.

Another exciting change introduces the ability for teams to contract between 12 and 14 players in their squad.  This is designed to increase the number of players exposed to the high performance environment and to introduce a greater degree of selection within each squad which will aid high performance.

There is an increase to the minimum retainer where a team contracts 12 players which Tim Lythe from the NZNPA says is a “significant and important step forward”.

“The parties have recognised the need to attract and retain players and increasing that minimum retainer is a very important part of that and a significant step towards the competition becoming a more viable profession for players” Lythe said.