Cricket boss says future of test cricket at threat
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Former Silver Fern completes trio of NZ signings at Australian club
Te Paea Selby-Rickit playing for the Silver Ferns. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Former Silver Fern Te Paea Selby-Rickit is joining the Queensland Firebirds next year, joining two other big New Zealand signings at the club. Earlier this week current Silver Ferns Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon confirmed they will be playing in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition next year. The trio will be playing under New Zealand coach Kiri Wills at the Firebirds, who are taking advantage of Netball New Zealand's recent relaxing of eligibility rules. Grace Nweke, who will play her second season at the New South Wales Swifts next year, has been given an exemption to still be eligible for the Silver Ferns. Jackson and Gordon have also been granted exemptions, as has Kate Heffernan who will play at the Adelaide Thunderbirds next year. Selby-Rickit has not made herself available for the Silver Ferns, so did not seek an exemption to play in the Australian league. Selby-Rickit was in some of the best form of her career this year playing her sixth season at the Tactix, who went on to lift the ANZ Premiership title for the first time. The Tactix will dearly miss the 33-year-old, as will the ANZ Premiership. She was one of the competitions most experienced, having played 181 national league matches at the Steel, then Tactix. The Tactix will look a very different side next year, with Ellie Bird retiring, and Jane Watson not returning. RNZ also understands that Tactix stalwart and Silver Fern Karin Burger is in talks with the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Selby-Rickit played 66 Tests for New Zealand and was part of the Silver Ferns 2019 World Cup triumph. The goal attack position was problematic for the Firebirds this season and Wills needed a player who could get more out of Ugandan shooter Mary Cholhok, who at 2.01m is the tallest player in the competition. One of Selby-Rickit's greatest strengths is setting up ball for her fellow shooters, and bringing them into a game. Selby-Rickit said she was excited to be joining the Firebirds and getting stuck into the 2026 SSN season. "It's a new challenge that I'm really looking forward to. New team, new environment, and a great opportunity to play against the best. "I also want to take a moment to thank the Tactix for an incredible six years. I'm so grateful to the club, my team-mates, and the fans for all the support and memories over the past six seasons," Selby-Rickit said. Wills said Selby-Rickit's experience would be a huge asset. "She's a constant threat in the circle who combines court-craft and shooting accuracy to be a playmaker and scorer," Wills said. "Te Paea is excited to show what she can do in SSN and I know the Purple Family will be eager to see what she can deliver on court."
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Heffernan joins star Silver Fern exodus to Australian clubs
Kate Heffernan in action for the Silver Ferns against Australia. Photo: photosport Star Silver Fern Kate Heffernan says her decision to play in Australia's Super Netball League will be a wrench. The midcourt juggernaut and Southern Steel stalwart became the third New Zealand international in the space of three days to announce she will take her domestic game across the Taman next year. Heffernan will align with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, while Pulse team-mates Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon both announced they will play for the Queensland Thunderbirds. The trio were key figures when the Silver Ferns crushed Australia 3-1 last year to reclaim the Constellation Cup, along with shooter Grace Nweke, who played this year for the Sydney Swifts. Netball New Zealand last month updated its eligibility policy, allow more flexibility for Silver Ferns players wanting to play overseas. Heffernan, who was this week named in the Silver Ferns squad, has been granted an exemption to play in Australia by Netball NZ. Kate Heffernan of the Steel and Georgie Edgecombe of the Magic. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Photosport The 25-year-old said it will be a painful experience not lining up for the Steel, who she has represented in 101 games since a debut in 2018. "I'm incredibly proud to play all of my ANZ Premiership games for my home team and this decision to take my netball in a new direction has not been made lightly. It will be so tough to leave my Steel family and I am grateful for everything the franchise has done for me," she said. "On the other hand, I am excited to see what the future holds in a new environment with the Thunderbirds. The opportunity to experience the intensity of a new competition and different opponents can only enhance my netball even further and I'm ready to embrace the challenges ahead." Steel head coach Wendy Frew said she wasn't surprised Heffernan had attracted the attention of Australian clubs. "I have had the privilege of both playing alongside and coaching Kate during her time with the Steel and she is such a standout player. She brings real leadership and experience, along with her defensive flair, and her signature is a real coup for any team," she said. "It has been so exciting to see how she's grown throughout her career and, as much as she is a massive loss for us as a team, I am proud to see her embark on this new chapter." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
