1 Nov 2018

25 player named for Silver Ferns camp

11:59 am on 1 November 2018

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua has named 25 players to attend next month's Silver Ferns camp in Auckland.

The Silver Ferns camp is where Taurua will continue her build-up to next year's Netball World Cup in England.

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua.

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"It's certainly going to be all-encompassing for our immediate goals of January's Netball Quad Series and the Netball World Cup. but also the chance to consolidate relationships in many areas with an eye on the future," Taurua said.

"It's a fine balancing act and very important for the growth of our sport and to the Silver Ferns success. We need to provide as many opportunities to players and coaches so that we keep our options open, create internal competition, and ultimately raise the quality and standard of our game."

The pre-Christmas camp is also an opportunity to simulate the format and intensity they can expect to face at the Netball World Cup in Liverpool (July), with back-to-back games, fitness testing sessions, and trainings over five days.

All six ANZ Premiership franchise coaches have also been invited to take some part in the Silver Ferns camp.

A dejected Silver Ferns side in the wake of their fourth test loss to Australia in the Constellation Cup.

A dejected Silver Ferns side in the wake of their fourth test loss to Australia in the Constellation Cup. Photo: Photosport

Taurua believed it was a key step in the Silver Ferns' development to forge a closer working relationship with the franchise coaches.

"It's really important to me to continue to build and strengthen those relationships so that the coaches, who have these players for such a large chunk of the season, are firstly acknowledged for the work they do with these players but also understand the Ferns environment, standards that are required, and the plan moving forward so we are all on this journey together," Taurua said.

The next selection for the new national coach to consider will be for January's Netball Quad Series tour to England where the Silver Ferns will meet Australia, South Africa and England.

The 12 players to travel to Liverpool and London for the Netball Quad Series will be named on Friday, 14 December.

"It was exciting to see the progress that we have made in such a short time but I also know we have a lot of work to do. It is important to keep that momentum going," Taurua said.

"There is no let-up for the players with the Netball Quad Series, ANZ Premiership and next year's Netball World Cup, which makes this camp such an important one."

Maria Folau.

Maria Folau. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Taurua has looked to the Silver Ferns Development Squad to join the Auckland camp along with defender Erena Mikaere who links up with the Northern Mystics next year after time playing in Australia.

Defenders Casey Kopua and Kelly Jury will also be in action after recovering from injuries sustained during the ANZ Premiership.

Pre-Christmas training camp:

Karin Burger

Gina Crampton

Aliyah Dunn

Ameliaranne Ekenasio

*Temalisi Fakahokotau (still in rehab after ACL surgery)

Maria Folau

Katrina Grant

Kelly Jury

Casey Kopua

Laura Langman

Bailey Mes

Te Paea Selby-Rickit

Samantha Sinclair

Michaela Sokolich-Beatson

Elisapeta Toeava

Jane Watson

Maia Wilson

Sulu Fitzpatrick

Erikana Pedersen

Whitney Souness

Shannon Francois

Claire Kersten

Kimiora Poi

Erena Mikaere

Monica Falkner

2019 Netball Quad Series:

South Africa v Australia, Sunday 13 January - Echo Arena, Liverpool

England v New Zealand, Sunday 13 January - Echo Arena, Liverpool

Australia v New Zealand, Saturday 19 January - Copperbox, London

England v South Africa, Saturday 19 January - Copperbox, London

South Africa v New Zealand, Sunday 20 January - Copperbox, London

England v Australia, Sunday 20 January - Copperbox, London