Former Silver Fern Gina Crampton. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Former Silver Ferns midcourter Gina Crampton has become the ninth New Zealand netballer to join the Australian league, after signing with the NSW Swifts for the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season.
Crampton, who was part of the Silver Ferns 2019 World Cup winning team, is temporarily replacing Swifts co-captain and Diamonds stalwart Paige Hadley, who is set to welcome her first child in early 2026.
With over 70 caps for New Zealand, the 33-year-old has spent the last two years in the Suncorp Super Netball season (SSN) environment with the Giants.
Crampton landed at the Giants as a training partner ahead of the 2024 season, after she relocated to Sydney with her partner.
Crampton played one Super Netball game with the Giants in 2024 before being elevated to the contracted squad for 2025, however she missed the season after becoming a mother for the first time.
Before moving across the ditch she amassed over 150 games of National Netball League experience, first with the Southern Steel and then the South Auckland based Stars.
Crampton's last game for the Silver Ferns was the bronze medal match at the 2023 Netball World Cup, where the Ferns came fourth. Crampton took extended leave after the World Cup campaign.
Swifts head coach Briony Akle welcomed Crampton to the Swifts.
"Gina is one of the most respected midcourters in the world game and it's our pleasure to welcome her to the Swifts. When you go to market to find a replacement for an athlete like Paige Hadley you need someone who's been at the very pinnacle of the game and stood out, and Gina has done that," Akle said.
"With a World Cup winners medal under her belt she is in a very elite group of players and that experience is going to be key for us as we bid to bring another Super Netball title back to our fans."
Crampton was promoted to Silver Ferns' captain during the period that former skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio was on maternity leave.
Akle was brought in as a Silver Ferns specialist coach at the start of 2024 under embattled coach Dame Noeline Taurua. Akle and Silver Ferns assistant coach Deb Fuller were recently stood down as part of Taurua's coaching cohort.
Crampton will reunite with her former Silver Ferns team-mate Grace Nweke, who is returning to the Swifts for a second season.
In 2026, the Australian competition will go from having just one New Zealand player to nine.
Five Silver Ferns were granted an exemption to play in the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball league, in the wake of Netball New Zealand loosening its eligibility rules.
Nweke, Kelly Jackson, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, and Karin Burger are part of that group.
Whitney Souness did not need an exemption as she missed out on the 2025/26 Silver Ferns squad. Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Jane Watson, and Crampton been unavailable for the Silver Ferns for some time so they too are free to play in the Australian league.
Crampton said signing for the Swifts was an honour.
"At the start of my career we played against the Swifts in the ANZ Championship and they were always such a force. Nothing's changed since then, they've always been such a formidable team and successful Club.
"The 2025 season was full of so many positives for them and by keeping their core group together it can only mean great things for 2026.
"I'm so excited by this opportunity and to be able to train and play alongside so many greats of the game is a true honour for me."
Kiwis playing in 2026 SSN
- Grace Nweke - NSW Swifts
- Kelly Jackson - Queensland Firebirds
- Maddy Gordon - Queensland Firebirds
- Kate Heffernan - Adelaide Thunderbirds
- Karin Burger - Sunshine Coast Lightning
- Whitney Souness - Giants
- Jane Watson - Giants
- Te Paea Selby-Rickit - Queensland Firebirds
- Gina Crampton - NSW Swifts
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