This week in netball – International netball returns as SSN signings continue
IT has been yet another huge week in netball, with some big announcements during the week adding to the excitement of continued Suncorp Super Netball signings. We take a look at all the biggest netball news in this week’s edition.
The SSN sign and trade period has continued this week, with the second week of movement throwing up some exciting developments. While Sophie Garbin was last week’s only official new signing, this week has seen defender Tara Hinchliffe head up the coast to the Sunshine Coast Lightning while goal attacks Kiera Austin and Tippah Dwan both head south to Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds, respectively. Most of this week’s departures have since been announced to head elsewhere, as teams continue to add exciting talent to their 2022 lists.
Heading across the ditch to New Zealand, and all three matches of the 2021 Cadbury Netball Series between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and England Roses are done and dusted, with England clinching their very first Taini Jamison Trophy in the process. New Zealand claimed the first test of the series off the back of an impressive debutant in Tiana Metuarau, while England bit back to go one-all with a comprehensive win in the second test. The third matchup was a battle of two halves, with the Ferns looking in control early before the injury-ravaged squad was overcome by the Roses on a mission. Metuarau claimed match MVP status for the first outing, with George Fisher earning the nod in the second match and Roses captain Serena Guthrie in the third.
England Netball has since announced that it will host a Vitality Roses Reunited Series in England from November 28 to December 5, hosting Jamaica on home soil and, pending restrictions, with a full capacity crowd for the first time since January, 2020. Roses head coach Jess Thirlby says that the series will play an important role in preparing for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with the Jamaican Sunshine Girls in excellent form.
“This is going to be an exciting series for the Vitality Roses and our fans, and is an important part of our preparation for next year’s Commonwealth Games,” Thirlby said. “We’ve missed getting out there in front of a home crowd and this will be an incredible opportunity to play a top team whilst reuniting both the Roses players and our supporters.”
The three-test series will see the opening clash on November 28 at London’s Copper Box Arena, before both nations head to Nottingham for the second and third tests of December 4 and December 5 at Motorpoint Arena.
A little closer to home, Netball Australia has announced that Liz Watson has officially been named 25th captain of the Australian Diamonds, with Steph Wood voted in as vice-captain. The two were voted into the roles by a combination of the Diamonds team members, as well as a selection committee comprised of Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich, Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan and former Diamonds captain Liz Ellis.
“Liz is an incredible person, player and leader and we are thrilled that she will captain the Origin Australian Diamonds,” Marinkovich said. “Liz’s passion and drive for success is evident and she has a fantastic ability to stay calm whilst continuing to empower players around her.
“Steph is an ultimate team player and her leadership reflects the type of person she is – she is highly respected and leads by example on the court.
“This streamlined leadership approach has enabled us to gain a thorough understanding of what qualities our squad values in leadership and the players believe Liz and Steph best reflect these.”
Meanwhile, the Victorian Netball League (VNL) Awards took place over three nights during the week, with a number of players congratulated for their achievements throughout the season.
SSN Signings updates
Full free agency period details: SSN announces 2022 signing period // SSN signings week one: The story so far
2021 SSN signing updates: Monday 20/9 | Tuesday 21/9 | Wednesday 22/9 | Thursday 23/9 | Friday 24/9
Australia
2022 Victorian Netball League Awards
International
2021 New Zealand/England test series preview: Which nation will clinch the Taini Jamison Trophy?
Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Compare the Pair: Sophie Dwyer and Filda Vui
Centre Pass Podcast
ALL EPISODES: iTunes // Spotify // Anchor
—
Picture credit: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
Corey’s colossal career only growing year on year
IRISH midcourt star Corey McGlynn may only be in her early-20s, but has packed a lot into her young netball career. McGlynn’s journey started as a teenager out in Leicestershire, England. Now playing in England’s Prem 1 competition, she has progressed through the English pathway and played in the underage teams at both Loughborough Lightning […]
Multi-talented mid honored to pull on Emerald dress
IRISH midcourter Seren Redmond has a tale like many of her Irish teammates, but also does not. Although born in the United Kingdom, her Irish grandfather gave her eligibility to represent the Republic, and as someone who grew up very immersed in Irish culture, she took up that opportunity. It is this upbringing that makes […]
Determined Duffy a role model for all
IRELAND netball captain Fran Duffy has seen a lot in her decade in the national team. Although netball may not be top of the popularity pecking order in the Emerald Isle, Duffy says that things are tracking in the right direction. “I think I’ve always, I’ve been playing for Ireland for nearly 10 years now […]
Iongi proud to wear the red and white amongst family
GROWING up in Australia, Kelea Iongi went with the status quo and followed the top three nations in Australia, New Zealand and England. She was a Diamonds support through and through. It wasn’t until Iongi started to become more familiar with her heritage where her focus shifted more towards representing Tonga at an international level. […]
The full circle path of a trail blazing Emerald
YOUNG Irish star Niamh O’Leary has experienced first hand how frustrating it can be to represent your country in a sport in the middle of the popularity pecking order like netball is in Ireland. With netball lagging behind several other sports like rugby, Gaelic football and hurling in terms of media coverage and funding, O’Leary […]
Stats Deep Dive – Nations Cup 2024
LAST weekend saw the 2024 Netball Nations Cup finish up and Australia win the crown yet again. But what do the stats tell us about how the four day tournament unfolded? Let us take a deep dive into some of the more crucial stats from the tournament and see what interesting information can be found. […]
Silver Ferns finish the Nations Cup with pride
NEW Zealand have come away with a bronze medal at the Nations Cup after a five-goal win over Uganda overnight, 62-57. From the first goal, Amorangi Malesala (11 goals and 10 goal assists) looked cool, calm and collected in only her second test for the Silver Ferns. She was carving up the attack end with […]
England folds under pressure as Australia continues dominance
THE Australian Diamonds brought the England Roses back down to earth with a dominant 20-goal victory in the Nations Cup final overnight, 69-49. Australia’s pure grit and determination to get over the line prevailed, looking like a well oiled machine from the get-go. Once the Diamonds got a sniff at a lead, they never let […]
Nail biter nabs England a chance at glory
ENGLAND is through to the 2024 Nations Cup final after a narrow 58-57 win over New Zealand this morning. It was tight and hard fought for most of the match, with the winner not determined until the final seconds. A crucial turnover from Razia Quashie helped England to get out to a quick start, and […]
