FAST5 Ferns Team Announced
23 September 2014
Media Advisory
A mix of youth and experience make up the 2014 FAST5 Ferns team to defend their title at November’s FAST5 Netball World
Series in Auckland.
2014 FAST5 Ferns:
Casey Kopua (c), Kayla Cullen, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant, Ellen Halpenny, Laura Langman,
Bailey Mes, Grace Rasmussen and Irene van Dyk.
Staged over the course of two days at Vector Arena, the FAST5 concept has been taken to a whole new level with six
international teams; England Fives, FAST5 South Africa, Malawi Queens, Sunshine Girls from Jamaica, Australian FAST5
Flyers and the FAST5 Ferns playing 18 games over the period of the tournament.
This will be final opportunity for Netball New Zealand and the sporting public to farewell Irene van Dyk in the fun,
short form of the game as she plays for the very last time in the black and pink FAST5 Ferns uniform at the FAST5
Netball World Series.
Van Dyk has contributed a huge amount to Netball in New Zealand and internationally and the veteran shooter was keen to
play for the FAST5 Ferns. This will also be van Dyk’s retirement from the short form of the game.
The FAST5 Ferns were the inaugural champions in 2012 and produced back to back titles, winning in 2013 in a hotly
contested final against the Australian FAST5 Flyers.
Now retired from international Netball, Irene van Dyk couldn’t resist putting her name forward for selection to play in
the FAST5 Ferns team.
“I am just so stoked,” she said.
“To be able to play again with my old teammates – and some new teammates – is so exciting for me and I hope I can do the
team proud!”
FAST5 Ferns coach Janine Southby says she’s looking forward to the event after leading the team to the title in 2013.
“It’s such a fantastic event to be a part of and the players really embrace every aspect of the FAST5 game,” she said.
“It’s going to be very special having Irene in the team as she always adds something special, and at the other end of
the spectrum we have 20 year old Temalisi Fakahokotau in the team for her first FAST5 experience, so it’s going to
great!”
Due to very high demand, organisers have today released additional seats in every price category at Vector Arena
although seats are limited.
FAST5 Netball World Series, November 8-9 2014. Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.
For more information including how to purchase tickets, please click here
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