New Zealand has announced their squad for the upcoming netball World Cup with coach Dame Noeline Taurua sticking with her tried and trusted line up.
Veteran Ameliaranne Ekenasio will lead the side as captain, and is bolstered in attack by 193cm Grace Nweke – who is fresh off her 70-goal ANZ Premiership final heroics.
Maia Wilson gets the nod alongside Te Paea Selby-Rickit, while the defensive end will be led by Jane Watson, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka and Karin Burger.
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Remarkably, the Silver Ferns will take six of their 2019 World Cup winning squad into the 2023 tournament to be held in Cape Town starting in late July.
“I’m excited with this group of athletes we have selected. We have stability with experience and players who have specific specialist skillsets,” Taurua said.
“We have versatility with slide options. We have worked our depth over the past two years and provided on court opportunities. Youthful exuberance adds that exciting flavour.
“We go into these selections with our eyes wide open and with purpose.”
Mystics midcourter Peta Toeava misses selection despite impressing in last year’s Constellation Cup leg in New Zealand, as the Ferns opted for Gina Crampton, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan and Whitney Souness in the middle.
“I think the ANZ Premiership has truly delivered this season and enabled myself and the selectors to see our athletes at their best and in all sorts of pressure-filled situations,” Taurua said.
“It has been one of the closest competitions we’ve ever had, and of a high standard with some extremely tight results, which has provided a strong environment before we step onto netball’s biggest stage.
“We have seen our athletes back up a number of times this season and in many cases backing up for some closely contested matches in extra time scenarios, which has provided the tests we had hoped they would face.”
Tiana Metuarau, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Sulu Fitzpatrick – who has just retired from the ANZ Premiership, have been named as the Travelling Reserves.
The Silver Ferns face Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, and Singapore in the group stages.
Silver Ferns Team:
Attack
Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Magic)
Grace Nweke (Mystics)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Tactix)
Maia Wilson (Stars)
Midcourt
Gina Crampton (Stars)
Maddy Gordon (Pulse)
Kate Heffernan (Steel)
Whitney Souness (Pulse)
Defence
Karin Burger (Tactix)
Kelly Jury (Pulse)
Phoenix Karaka (Mystics)
Jane Watson (Tactix)
SUNSHINE GIRLS NAME THEIR SQUAD FOR CAPE TOWN
Star shooter Romelda Aiken-George’s incredible form for the NSW Swifts has seen her named in Jamaica’s 15-player squad to head to the netball World Cup in Cape Town.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for a player left unwanted by the Queensland Firebirds at the end of last season following the birth of her daughter.
But the 34-year-old refused to believe her career was done and signed on as a training partner for the NSW Swifts, given Sam Wallace’s ACL recovery.
And since then, Aiken-George has gone from strength to strength as a competition standout – and has now been rewarded with international selection.
Aiken-George is joined in Jamaica’s squad by fellow SSN stars Jhaniele Fowler and Shimona Nelson in the attack end.
Super Netball defenders Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Shamera Sterling, Jodi-Ann Ward and Latanya Wilson have all been selected.
SUNSHINE GIRLS
Attack
Romelda Aiken-George
Shanice Beckford
Jhaniele Fowler
Shimona Nelson
Rebekah Robinson
Midcourt
Nicole Dixon-Rochester
Crystal Plummer
Abigale Sutherland
Adean Thomas
Khadijah Williams
Defence
Kadie-Ann Dehaney
Kimone Shaw
Shamera Sterling
Jodi-Ann Ward
Latanya Wilson
