Latest news with #MaddyGordon
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
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.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
The real reason Silver Fern Maddy Gordon is leaving the ANZ Premiership
Silver Fern Maddy Gordon admits the ANZ Premiership's uncertain future played a major role in her decision to leave the Central Pulse after seven years and three titles. The 29-test midcourter is joining the Queensland Firebirds in next year's Super Netball in Australia, following teammate Kelly Jackson and Kiwi coach
RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Maddy Gordon to leave the Pulse and play in Australia
Maddy Gordon of New Zealand Photo: AAP / Another Silver Fern is heading across the Tasman to play their netball. Pulse midcourter Maddy Gordon has signed to play for the Queensland Firebirds in next year's Super Netball competition. She joins team-mate Kelly Jackson who announced her move to the Kiri Wills-coached Firebirds earlier this week. Queensland are making the most of the recent loosening of Netball New Zealand's eligibility policy . On Monday both Gordon and Jackson were named in Dame Noeline Taurua's first Silver Ferns squad of the year . Gordon has been with the Pulse since 2018 and has 29 Test caps. "I just can't thank the Pulse region enough," she said in a statement. "I came down here here as a young 18-year-old and they put me in the Manawa. "They backed me, they gave me a chance and not many people get given a shot like that." During her time in the Pulse, Gordon won three ANZ Premiership titles (2019, 2020 and 2022) and was MVP of the Pulse's 2020 Grand Final win. Firebirds head coach Wills welcomed the arrival of Gordon, who is able to perform at either wing attack or centre. "Maddy possesses a fantastic engine and brings a mix of pace and skill which has been proven at the highest levels internationally," Wills said. "Whether it is feeding our attack or providing disruption and hunting in defence, Maddy will be a great addition to our team for the 2026 season."
Scoop
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Key Match-up For Pulse Against Steel
Back-to-back losses have left Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse on wobbly ground as they prepare for a high-stakes rematch against the Southern Steel in ANZ Premiership netball action in Wellington on Monday. An out-of-sorts Pulse have slipped to third spot on the points table and now have the Magic hot on their heels, poised one point behind with just four rounds remaining as the battle for a place in the Finals Series (top three) gathers momentum. ``We've all got the fuel to be better,'' Pulse midcourter Maddy Gordon said. ``It's always said that losses can be beneficial, that you can improve and get better from them but obviously, it's a shorter season, so there's not a lot of time to work things out. ``I'm confident that we can get out of this slump. The main thing is that everyone's mindset is looking ahead and how we can be better. ``We know how good we can be when we're all on and we've seen that in a couple of games, so it's just finding that spark again.'' One real positive for the Pulse has been the form of shooter Amelia Walmsley who has not missed a shot in her previous two matches and sits on top of the league for number of goals scored and highest percentage, at 97 percent accuracy. ``When we get her the ball, she's getting it in, so it's how we get her the ball more, which means looking after the ball, less losses as an attacking unit and really working on how we can get her that 100 percent ball because the stats tell a story there,'' Gordon said. Having a slow start to the season because of injury, Gordon is an influential figure in the midcourt with her big engine and relentless hustle. She has a strong connection with her shooter in providing near-perfect feeds but has been a little frustrated in working her way back. ``I feel like I'm doing okay,'' she said. ``It's been a slow climb…..I've been on managed loads for a bit but it's coming and I just need time under the belt. The positive thing is that each game it's getting a bit better. ``The vision into Amelia is going really well but I want to get a bit more oomph in that defence part and going for things. I'm confident that will come with more time in training, which has also been a bit on and off (in terms of participation).'' Making the bold decision to move to Wellington from Auckland in her first year out of school has proved life-changing for Gordon. With the aim of playing for Central Manawa in the National Netball League (NNL) and joining the Police Force, Gordon quickly found her feet and her way into the Silver Ferns and as such, a life on the beat, was quickly shelved. ``The ride has been crazy,'' she said. ``Coming down here playing NNL, working three jobs…I knew it was going to be tough work…….I never would have thought I would be in the Silver Ferns as a 20-year-old (debuting at 21), just because of how my story went and how I had to move so much to be where I am. ``I've had to work hard for it. It didn't just get given to me and where I am now, I never would have thought at 25, I'd be one of the experienced ones at the Pulse, let alone in the Silver Ferns as well. ``It's definitely been tough but I've loved it and wouldn't change it. The Pulse took a shot with me. I was never a big name, never on the wanted list. I put myself here and it was a case of, `watch me, I'll show you what I've got kind of thing'. And they really did and stuck with me through the whole time. ``They have made me the player I am today and I'm always grateful.'' For now, Gordon's got a wary on the Steel in what's shaping as a pivotal match for the Pulse. ``They had a great win last week and they probably weren't proud of their performance that they put up against us the last time we played (70-45 loss), so we know they'll be coming,'' she said. ``They're probably going to come out with something different, so we also need a plan B but we know what we need to do. We're excited but we do know that they're going to come out all guns blazing.''
