“For us, it’s about building on the team and combinations that performed so strongly at the Commonwealth Games. The additions of Te Paea, Peta and Parris further strengthen those combinations and give us different options across the court.
“The series against the Net Blacks allows us to give others more playing opportunities in what we know will be a really challenging and physical series.
“It’s also another opportunity to grow the experience of athletes in this environment, test combinations and continue building the depth we need as we head into a World Cup year.
“We were back in camp last week for the first time since the Commonwealth Games, and it was great to see the energy and hunger within the group. We’re looking forward to the challenge of both series and can’t wait to get back out on court.”
The Silver Ferns open the Constellation Cup against the Diamonds at Spark Arena in Auckland on Sunday, 18 October. The Diamonds head into the series as the world’s top-ranked side and reigning Cup holders, but have not won a test on New Zealand soil since 2021.
The squad-naming comes with the sport’s domestic future beginning to take shape. Private investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams have signed a non-binding term sheet with Netball NZ to govern a new franchise league from 2027.
Silver Ferns 2026 Constellation Cup squad
Shooters: Georgia Heffernan, Grace Nweke, Martina Salmon, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Amelia Walmsley
Midcourters: Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Kimiora Poi, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Peta Toeava
Defenders: Karin Burger, Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason, Carys Stythe
Silver Ferns WM New Zealand Netball Series v Net Blacks squad
Shooters: Aliyah Dunn, Grace Nweke, Martina Salmon, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Amelia Walmsley
Midcourters: Tayla Earle, Maddy Gordon, Kimiora Poi, Peta Toeava
Defenders: Laura Balmer, Karin Burger, Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason, Carys Stythe
Constellation Cup Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds
Match 1: Sunday, October 18 – Spark Arena, Auckland, 7.30pm
Match 2: Wednesday, October 21 – Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch, 7.30pm
Match 3: Sunday, October 25 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 6pm NZT
Match 4: Wednesday, October 28 – John Cain Arena, Melbourne, 9.30pm NZT
WM New Zealand Netball Series Silver Ferns v Net Blacks
Match 1: Tuesday, November 17 – Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, 7.30pm
Match 2: Thursday, November 19 – Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, 7.30pm
Match 3: Saturday, November 21 – Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, 7.30pm
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.