Silver Ferns trialists named for Commonwealth Games

Twenty seven players have been selected for the Silver Ferns trial ahead of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

The four day trial will be held in Wellington next week.

Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua and Ameliaranne Ekenasio who is among the 27 players taking part in a four day trial for the Commonwealth Games.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

From that a squad will be picked for Birmingham with warm matches against New Zealand A, Aotearoa Men and an Invitational side.

Not considered for selection was Silver Ferns defender Karin Burger who has been ruled out with a fractured foot.

Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua said there had been an in-depth process into selecting the trialists which started last year with September’s series against the English Roses.

“There have been many factors which have gone into naming our trialists with this year’s ANZ Premiership the final stage to see if players have progressed and shifted in performance areas,” she said.

“We’ve had some tough decisions to make, and injury has also played its hand in the final make-up of the trialists.”

Taurua said fitness standards was just one aspect that selectors considered when naming the trialists, with the athlete’s physical loads and capabilities, injury status and robustness, performance analysis benchmarks, health and wellbeing and compliance also being taken into account.

“We carried an extended squad into the series against England, Aotearoa Men last year and Netball Quad Series in January with these selections in mind and the majority of the Silver Ferns Squad and Silver Ferns Development Squad getting an opportunity to get out on court.

“I’ve seen these players for many seasons in different environments. They have received a lot of feedback.

For Silver Ferns to be in contention for gold at the Commonwealth Games we need athletes who are committed to grow their game, work for each other and have specific skillsets that enable us to play a certain game plan on court.

“Trials are another opportunity for us to create our own pressure and to see if players can deliver under that pressure.”

Taurua said missing selection for the games against New Zealand A, Aotearoa Men and the Invitation side would would not rule players out for the remainder of the season with a number of key international events still to come come including the Taini Jamison Trophy, Constellation Cup, FAST5 Netball World Series and the Netball Quad Series leading into next year’s Netball World Cup.

“Our immediate focus is…the Commonwealth Games, but we still have next year’s Netball World Cup in our sights.”

The Silver Ferns squad for Birmingham will be named on June 27.

Players selected for the Silver Ferns trials are:

Kate Burley, Gina Crampton, Aliyah Dunn, Tayla Earle, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Holly Fowler, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Jamie Hume, Kayla Johnson, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Claire Kersten

Kristiana Manu’a, Bailey Mes, Tiana Metuarau, Grace Nweke, Kimiora Poi, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Shannon Saunders, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Whitney Souness, Elle Temu, Peta Toeava, Maia Wilson, Sam Winders.