Silver Ferns Team Announced to Compete for 2019 Constellation Cup
23 September, 2019
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua has included two new faces to her Netball World Cup-winning side to contest next
month’s Cadbury Netball Series playing for the Constellation Cup.
Defender Michaela Sokolich-Beatson comes in for Casey Kopua who announced her retirement from all netball at the end of
the successful Netball World Cup campaign in July.
Taurua has also added shooter Maia Wilson into the mix for the Cadbury Netball Series (Australian leg only) against the
Australian Diamonds which starts at Horncastle Arena in Christchurch on 13 October.
Taurua said selection of the 11 players who won gold in England this year, along with two of the non-travelling Netball
World Cup reserves in Sokolich-Beatson and Wilson, was reward for the work and commitment they had shown over the past
12 months.
“The Constellation Cup is an opportunity for us to continue to grow and learn as a group and build on the gains we had
made at the Netball World Cup. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and think one cup is enough. The players who have
been selected have once again met the fitness standards that are required to play the International game,” Taurua said.
“The transtasman battle is arguably one of the fiercest netball rivalries ever. The Constellation Cup now has an added
sting to it considering our last encounter at the Worlds.”
There will also be two specialist coaches used during the four Tests with Silver Ferns assistant coach Deb Fuller
unavailable to tour for this series after a busy Netball World Cup campaign.
Former New Zealand defender and coach Yvonne Willering, who was used as a specialist coach during the build-up to July’s
Netball World Cup, will continue in the role while Jane Woodlands-Thompson will also join the Silver Ferns camp for the
Constellation Cup.
The former Adelaide Thunderbirds head coach is highly regarded for her roles in the High Performance arena, having
signed on with Collingwood last year as the General Manager of Women’s Sport, and knows the New Zealand game well having
spent time with the Northern Mystics as a coaching consultant.
Taurua said she was looking forward to working with both coaches as they aim to get the best out of the athletes at the
end of a demanding season.
“Yvonne and Jane are master coaches. They have so many years of experience behind them. They will bring fresh ideas,
challenge our thinking, strengthen our current strategies and help us to continue to grow our game. Personally I feel
privileged to work alongside them,” she said.
“It has been an amazing year for the Silver Ferns in winning the Netball World Cup. It is important that we build on
the momentum from that experience and strengthen our base so we can consistently perform at the highest level. This
Constellation Cup is the first step in the overall plan.”
The Silver Ferns will come into camp in Christchurch on 8 October to prepare for the two Tests to be played in New
Zealand.
The Constellation Cup moves to Spark Arena in Auckland on 16 October, where the match will mark the 150th Test between
the two nations, before heading to Sydney and Perth in Australia.
Silver Ferns team
Laura Langman (captain)
Karin Burger
Gina Crampton
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Maria Folau
Phoenix Karaka
Bailey Mes
Katrina Rore
Shannon Saunders
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson
Jane Watson
Maia Wilson
Meanwhile, Netball New Zealand has also announced a New Zealand A team which will be coached by Helene Wilson with
Amigene Metcalfe named as assistant coach. The NZA program will also have oversight from Silver Ferns coaching staff.
The team will come together to take on England A and Australia A sides in practice matches which will be closed to the
public.
NZA team
Maia Wilson
Tiana Metuarau
Ellie Bird
Kayla Cullen
Maddy Gordon
Kate Heffernan
Jamie Hume
Kimiora Poi
Sam Sinclair
Whitney Souness
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Temalisi Fakahokotau
Abby Erwood
Kate Burley
CADBURY NETBALL SERIES
Constellation Cup - Silver Ferns vs Australian Diamonds
13-27 October, 2019
4pm, Sunday 13 October
Horncastle Arena, Christchurch
7.30pm, Wednesday 16 October
Spark Arena, Auckland
3pm (NZT), Sunday 20 October
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
3pm (NZT) Sunday 27 October
RAC Arena, Perth
ends