Netball: Silver Fern claims ANZ Premiership exodus ‘inevitable' as more players secure Australian contracts
Whitney Souness, the 44-cap midcourter, is leaving the Central Pulse for Australian Super Netball's Giants, where former Ferns defender Jane Watson is also headed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
16 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Former league player denied pub entry in Australia over tā moko
A former professional rugby league player was denied entry to an Australian pub due to a facial tattoo policy, which he deemed an insult to his mana. The former winger has a facial tā moko that includes animals symbolically significant to his ancestry, like the hawk and shark.
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- RNZ News
Netball: Pulse suffer another blow after Stars poach top shooter
Amelia Walmsley. Stars v Pulse. ANZ Premiership Netball. Pulman Arena, Auckland. Sunday 14 April 2024. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The Stars have gone big by securing Silver Ferns shooter Amelia Walmsley for the 2026 ANZ Premiership to kick off what should be a fascinating signing period. It's a huge coup for the south Auckland based side, which finished bottom of the 2025 ladder. But it's an equally a big hit for the Pulse, who have now lost half of their team. The 21 year-old spent four seasons with the Pulse, where she established herself as one of the competition's best shooters. The Pulse have already lost three players to the Australian competition - Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon will play for the Queensland Firebirds in 2026, while Whitney Souness will play for the Sydney-based Giants. The Wellington-based franchise will be looking for at least two new shooters, with Tiana Metuarau also leaving the club after a number of seasons. RNZ understands the former Silver Fern is heading to the United Kingdom. The Stars have also said goodbye to foundation player and captain Maia Wilson, who made herself unavailable for the 2025/26 Silver Ferns squad. With Wilson leaving, Monica Falkner retired, and Australian shooter Charlie Bell unlikely to be retained, the Stars may well be targetting an up and coming shooter like Martina Salmon to join Walmsley in the circle. The franchise thanked Wilson and wished the shooter all the best for her next adventure. "From being with us since day one, playing nine seasons in purple, reaching three grand finals, scoring over 4,500 goals, and taking the court in purple for 134 matches - your impact on this club is enormous. "We value your commitment, energy, and the impact you've had on our club and community and you can be proud of the legacy you leave behind. Wishing you all the very best for your next adventure." Walmsley, who grew up in Auckland, said she was excited to go home and join a powerful Stars playing group. The Howick College product began her netball journey with Stars' National Netball League side the Comets, under the tutelage of current Stars coach Temepara Bailey, before making her ANZ Premiership debut for the Tactix during the 2021 season. "I think it's a full circle moment as Temepara gave me the opportunity with the Comets which essentially gave me exposure and allowed me to get my first contracts." Walmsley explained. "It's great to be able to come back and be coached by her in the ANZ Premiership. She has so much knowledge and is an awesome human, so I can't wait to be back under her wing and absorb all of the experience and knowledge she has to offer." Walmsley said it was a hard decision to leave the Pulse. "I always stay places for the people. Being able to work alongside Maddy, Tiana and Whitney over the past few years in the attacking end has been something that I've absolutely loved. "The Pulse franchise has done so much for me and given me so many amazing opportunities, so it was definitely a bitter-sweet moment and I was very torn at times but at the end of the day, I'm happy with my decision." The 1.92m shooter had a breakthrough campaign in 2023, which earnt her a call-up to the Silver Ferns. This year Walmsley scored the most goals in the competition and was the most accurate at 96 percent. Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola is full of admiration for what Walmsley has achieved in her relatively short career to date. "It's been an absolute privilege to coach Amelia over the past four years," she said. "She joined us as a 17-year-old shooter with raw talent and quiet determination, and watching her grow into a confident, high-performing athlete has been nothing short of inspiring. "Amelia's work ethic and focus set the tone for our team, and I'm incredibly proud of the athlete and person she's become," Andrews-Tasola said. Former Silver Fern captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio is leaving the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. No doubt the Pulse, where Ekenasio started her ANZ Premiership career, would dearly love to recruit the country's best goal attack.
NZ Herald
18 hours ago
- NZ Herald
ANZ Premiership: Silver Fern netballer Amelia Walmsley signs with Northern Stars, another blow to Central Pulse
Silver Fern Amelia Walmsley has signed with the Northern Stars in netball's ANZ Premiership. The 1.92-metre shooter is departing the Central Pulse after four seasons and one title. Walmsley will take the spot vacated by fellow Silver Fern Maia Wilson, who has been confirmed as departing the Stars by the
