Latest news with #NetballWorldCup
1News
3 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
'Like riding a bike': Casey Kopua makes return to elite-level netball
Former Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua said she "absolutely loved every minute" of her first appearance six years on from retiring from elite-level netball. The 39-year-old netball legend was signed as injury cover for the Greater Western Sydney Giants who play in the Australian Super Netball league. Kopua filled in for Jodi-Ann Ward, who tore her ACL in a recent loss to the West Coast Fever. Kopua had initially retired from the Silver Ferns in 2017 following several knee injuries and the birth of her first child, but the star returned to the black dress in 2019. She finished her career as a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and as a Netball World Cup champion in 2019. ADVERTISEMENT The team lost 71-61 to the Melbourne Vixen but Kopua said she "absolutely loved every minute". "I feel like my lungs at patches were heaving. But it's just like riding a bike, if you put a ball in front of me, I'll go and go and go. "It's definitely a lot faster [in Australia] but I feel like you can get away with a bit more in the circle. "I definitely think for me it's my mind and being able to concentrate and focus those channels again, but I can only go up from here hopefully." Kopua was signed on for three weeks with an extension possible.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Kopua, 39, set for shock return to game
Former Silver Fern captain Casey Kopua is in line for a shock return to elite netball. Kopua, 39, has been named as a replacement player for the Giants against the Melbourne Vixens for their Super Netball game tomorrow. The defender, who retired after winning the Netball World Cup in 2019, replaces Giants' Jamaican defender Jodi-Ann Ward, who tore her ACL and is out for the rest of the season. The Giants are also without regular defender Tilly McDonnell. The New South Wales franchise announced Kopua's inclusion yesterday. Kopua, who played 17 seasons for the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, will link up with her former Magic team-mates Jo Harten, Jamie-Lee Price and coach Julie Fitzgerald, who are all with the Giants. The goal defence, who was one of the inaugural inductees into the Netball New Zealand hall of fame last year, was one of the best defenders during her tenure, including being part of the Magic side that won the ANZ Championship in 2012. Kopua retired from internationals in 2015 but returned to the Silver Ferns when Noeline Taurua took over the side in 2019 and led them to their first Netball World Cup in 17 years.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Elia McCormick is relishing taking netball back to Liverpool
When Elia McCormick steps out on court at the M&S Bank Arena for Manchester Thunder, it will mark not just netball's return to Liverpool, but her own. The goal defence was one of a few lucky youngsters to take part in a practice warm-up game between Bury and Chester ahead of the 2019 Netball World Cup at the very same venue. It was a memory the now 25-year-old remembers fondly, with it being her first-ever experience of playing in a stadium and on the same court many of her netball heroes were set to grace in the weeks to come. Six years later, McCormick will return to the M&S Bank Arena as one of Manchester Thunder's starting seven as they take on Birmingham Panthers in Round 10 of the 2025 Netball Super League. A move that brings the sport back to Liverpool for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. "It was really funny because they had the scoreboard up and it said something like Zimbabwe versus New Zealand, so they could check that the lights and scores were up and running and make sure the court was okay," said McCormick. "Playing there was such a good experience because I had never played in any arena back then. "It's definitely really cool that Thunder are branching out to more areas in the north and trying to reach that extra fanbase. "It's such a good arena and I'm excited to play there again." Thunder saw an emphatic 77-47 victory over Panthers when they last met in Round 2 of the 2025 season. It was a testament to the north west side who were battling against several injuries in their line-up that rocked their preparation coming into the new term. But despite their current third-in-the-table status and newfound growth, McCormick knows not to count their opposition out just yet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manchester Thunder (@thundernetball) "At the start of the season, those combinations had only a couple of weeks of training behind them and the last time we faced Panthers, it was only our second game," she said. "Now we've had more than half a season to get stuck in, we've grown so much as a team. "But that's not to say other teams haven't as well. You can't predict anything. What happened the first time round won't happen the second time round." A sporty youngster growing up, McCormick found herself drawn to netball after setting up a team with her schoolmates on a Sunday and was soon scouted to try out for Bury Netball Club. It was a team she held close throughout her teenage years, before also gaining her place on the Manchester Thunder Performance Pathway. In her own words: "I think I was playing netball near enough every single day growing up." Having progressed through the pathway like so many others at Thunder, McCormick saw a sudden setback to her career early on during her senior years, suffering an ACL and Achilles injury back-to-back. It was a difficult couple of years as she was forced to watch on from the sidelines as her teammates took the title of 2022 Netball Super League champions in an unbeaten season. "When I was playing netball growing up, I was the type of person to never have an injury," she said. "People would always say I had rubber bones, so doing my ACL was a total shock, and I was in real disbelief at first. "I'm always a positive person, so I kept going with it, but a year and a half later, I did my Achilles as well. "Watching from the sidelines, I knew it was pretty gutting as they would have been such good years to play. "I felt like I was missing out on some of that development, which was disappointing, but you just have to knuckle down and do what you can." McCormick can confidently say that she is now one of the most consistent members of Thunder's 2025 line-up. The defender started for Thunder in the first six games of the season and has proved herself outside of the NSL too, as she is in her first year on the Future Roses programme. And in a year that has finally seen her receive her flowers, McCormick is undoubtedly enjoying every moment. "This year has been so far my first consistent year without injuries and not being a training partner," she said. "And it's so good to have girls around me on my team who I've known and played with for years. "Those first few games I was so nervous to be playing and starting but now we're halfway through, those nerves have eased and I'm excited and ready to play."
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
TVNZ Assembles Winning Line-Up For ANZ Premiership Broadcast Coverage
Press Release – TVNZ Across the 10 round robin matches, in-depth commentary until final whistle will be provided by Jenny-May Clarkson (Silver Fern #116) & current Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka (Silver Fern #155), with Courtney Tairi (Silver Fern #151) and 1News Sports Reporter … With exciting new rule innovations, the ANZ Premiership is set to take its first centre pass for 2025 on TVNZ, with Saturdays live and free on TVNZ+ and TVNZ 2. Across the 10 round robin matches, in-depth commentary until the final whistle will be provided by Jenny-May Clarkson (Silver Fern #116) and current Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka (Silver Fern #155), with Courtney Tairi (Silver Fern #151) and 1News Sports Reporter Kate Wells presenting the broadcast coverage. Experienced broadcaster, Jenny-May is returning to her netball roots, having first been involved in commentary for the 2003 Netball World Cup. Known for her speed and pin-point pass accuracy in both a domestic and international level as a player, Clarkson is looking forward to returning to the mic on Saturdays alongside her Breakfast presenter role. 'I'm pumped to be returning to my first love – netball! From playing, coaching and commentating, it's a natural and comfortable space for me to be in, and I'm excited to be picking up the commentator's mic again. 'It's a real privilege to be calling with the incredibly talented Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka and I'm really looking forward to guiding viewers through another exciting year of ANZ Premiership Netball' says Clarkson. Karaka, currently on maternity leave, will be able to offer expert game analysis into the on-court action, having been part of the back-to-back ANZ Premiership Northern Mystics winning side in 2023 and 2024. Her first time in commentary, Phoenix is excited for the pivot this season. 'I'm stoked to still be involved within the game in some capacity. I will no doubt be challenged in this new role, but that's what excites me most' added Karaka. Rounding out the court is former Sky Sport reporter Courtney Tairi who will be presenting TVNZ's Saturday broadcast live from across the motu, bringing audiences exclusive access to players, coaches and special guests' courtside. Joining Tairi across the season is 1News' Kate Wells, alongside being an avid fan of the game, Kate spent a year playing elite level netball with the Central Pulse. Jenny-May and Phoenix will hit the ground running this Saturday with the Central Pulse taking on Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, with audiences getting to experience the excitement of the two-point shot in the final five minutes of each quarter, bringing the possibility of a dramatic scoreline change. ANZ Premiership Saturdays on TVNZ+ and TVNZ 2 starts May 10, 4pm. TVNZ will broadcast all Saturday round-robin matches live and free.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
TVNZ Assembles Winning Line-Up For ANZ Premiership Broadcast Coverage
With exciting new rule innovations, the ANZ Premiership is set to take its first centre pass for 2025 on TVNZ, with Saturdays live and free on TVNZ+ and TVNZ 2. Across the 10 round robin matches, in-depth commentary until the final whistle will be provided by Jenny-May Clarkson (Silver Fern #116) and current Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka (Silver Fern #155), with Courtney Tairi (Silver Fern #151) and 1News Sports Reporter Kate Wells presenting the broadcast coverage. Experienced broadcaster, Jenny-May is returning to her netball roots, having first been involved in commentary for the 2003 Netball World Cup. Known for her speed and pin-point pass accuracy in both a domestic and international level as a player, Clarkson is looking forward to returning to the mic on Saturdays alongside her Breakfast presenter role. 'I'm pumped to be returning to my first love – netball! From playing, coaching and commentating, it's a natural and comfortable space for me to be in, and I'm excited to be picking up the commentator's mic again. 'It's a real privilege to be calling with the incredibly talented Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka and I'm really looking forward to guiding viewers through another exciting year of ANZ Premiership Netball' says Clarkson. Karaka, currently on maternity leave, will be able to offer expert game analysis into the on-court action, having been part of the back-to-back ANZ Premiership Northern Mystics winning side in 2023 and 2024. Her first time in commentary, Phoenix is excited for the pivot this season. 'I'm stoked to still be involved within the game in some capacity. I will no doubt be challenged in this new role, but that's what excites me most' added Karaka. Rounding out the court is former Sky Sport reporter Courtney Tairi who will be presenting TVNZ's Saturday broadcast live from across the motu, bringing audiences exclusive access to players, coaches and special guests' courtside. Joining Tairi across the season is 1News' Kate Wells, alongside being an avid fan of the game, Kate spent a year playing elite level netball with the Central Pulse. Jenny-May and Phoenix will hit the ground running this Saturday with the Central Pulse taking on Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, with audiences getting to experience the excitement of the two-point shot in the final five minutes of each quarter, bringing the possibility of a dramatic scoreline change. ANZ Premiership Saturdays on TVNZ+ and TVNZ 2 starts May 10, 4pm. TVNZ will broadcast all Saturday round-robin matches live and free.
