International Netball: Silver Ferns to Face Fiji and South Africa in July   15 May 2015

The Silver Ferns will finalise their preparations for Netball World Cup 2015 (NWC2015) on home soil when they face Fiji and South Africa in the New World Netball Series in July.

Playing for the Taini Jamison Trophy, the Test Matches will provide fans an excellent opportunity to see three of world Netball’s top 10 teams in action, as well as farewell the Silver Ferns before they cross the Tasman for NWC2015 in Sydney.

The Silver Ferns will play one Test Match against the Fiji Pearls, ranked number seven in the world, at Te Rauparaha Arena (Porirua) on Thursday 23 July. The Fiji Pearls, under the direction of New Zealander Kate Carpenter, haven’t played the Silver Ferns in New Zealand since 1999.

Following the success of the inaugural Oceania Netball Series in Suva and an Australasian Tour, Netball in Fiji received a major boost with the announcement of a new franchise-style Super League competition - Digicel Punjas Super League Netball Series. The Series showcased Fiji’s best Netball talent over a period of four months and provided a solid platform to launch their NWC2015 preparations.

South Africa’s SPAR Proteas, ranked number six in the world, will play the Silver Ferns in two Test Matches beginning at Claudelands Arena (Hamilton) on Sunday 26 July with the final test at The Trusts Arena (Auckland) on Tuesday 28 July.

The SPAR Proteas will arrive in New Zealand on the back of participating in the European Championships in Northern Ireland (May 14-17), the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League - the sport’s flagship domestic competition in South Africa - and the Diamond Challenge International Series.

Earlier this year, SPAR Proteas Netball coach Benny Saayman also enlisted the services of former Australian two-time World Championship-winning coach Norma Plummer to put the squad through their paces at an intensive two-week training camp.

The SPAR Proteas boast an exciting line-up that includes captain, Maryka Holtzhausen and up-and-coming goal keeper, Phumza Maweni, who brought the crowd to their feet at last year’s FAST5 World Netball Series. Holtzhausen and Maweni, along with midcourter Bongiwe Msomi played in this year’s UK Superleague where Msomi’s Surrey Storm took home the title for the first time.

NNZ Chief Executive Hilary Poole is encouraging fans to show their support for the Silver Ferns in the New World Netball Series Test Matches.

“In 84 days the Silver Ferns will begin their NWC2015 campaign in Sydney – but the first part of that journey will be to win the Taini Jamison Trophy,” Poole said.

“It’s an exciting time for Netball fans and I encourage New Zealanders to turn out in force to farewell the Silver Ferns in their pre-NWC Test Matches on home soil.”

Netball New Zealand will name the 12 players selected to represent the Silver Ferns at Netball World Cup 2015 and the New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy on July 2, 2015.

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