FAST5 Ferns depart for Melbourne

FAST5 Ferns depart for Melbourne

Tuesday 25 October, 2016

New Zealand’s FAST5 Ferns have departed for Melbourne with high expectations of an exciting, action-packed weekend at the Fast5 Netball World Series, October 29-30.

Played in Australia for the first time, the Fast5 competition sees the world’s top six netballing nations go head-to-head in the fast-moving condensed form of the game.

FAST5 Ferns coach Kiri Wills expects New Zealand, as defending champions, to face intense competition from the other five nations - Australia, England, Jamaica, Malawi and South Africa.

Hosts Australia have fielded six current Diamonds players in a determined bid to win the world Fast5 title for the first time.

The 10-strong FAST5 Ferns have a compelling combination of current Silver Ferns and future international stars.

Maria Tutaia will captain the side, bringing a wealth of international experience and her trademark long shot. Tutaia was the most prolific “super shot” shooter the 2013 Fast5 tournament in Auckland.

Jane Watson, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Storm Purvis and Maia Wilson - who all made their international debuts in the seven-a-side game this season – will bolster the FAST5 Ferns.

Talented young shooter Jamie Hume, who made her mark as part of the championship-winning Netball South team in this year's inaugural Beko Netball League, has also been called into the side.

Wills says the Fast5 Netball World Series gives young players an excellent opportunity to experience the furious pace of top international netball, and to put their array of netballing talents to the test.

Wills is also new to the FAST5 Ferns, having previously coached the Silver Ferns development squad and the New Zealand under-21 side. She’s delighted to be have been given the opportunity to coach the FAST5 Ferns.

“I’m really excited. Fast5 is an energetic and exhilarating form of the game that encourages speed and flair, and always thrills the crowds,” she said.

“It will be a whirlwind event, decided in two days, but it will also be a fun way for the girls to end their year after an intense international season.”

Since it was introduced in 2009, New Zealand has dominated the shortened form of the game, winning the world title on five out of six occasions. The FAST5 Ferns won the most recent World Series event, played in Auckland in 2014 (the event was not held in 2015 because of the Netball World Cup).

The FAST5 Ferns to play in the Fast5 Netball World Series in Melbourne October 29-30:
Gina Crampton
Jamie Hume
Kelly Jury
Phoenix Karaka
Storm Purvis
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Sam Sinclair
Maria Tutaia (captain)
Jane Watson
Maia Wilson

ends

© Scoop Media