Latest news with #TainiJamisonTrophy
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
East Coast netballer Kimiora Poi gears up for season
'In a typical week, we'll train on the netball court three to four times a week, and part of one of those trainings will be match-play against the Invercargill men's team, so we get a bit of match-play prep leading into a real game.' They also do fitness, strength and conditioning work in the gym. While the focus is on the ANZ Championship, national selection is in the bigger picture for Poi, who has played 16 tests for her country since 2019. 'The way that the Ferns selection works is that we play our normal A NZ Premiership... and then, after the grand final, they select a new Ferns squad for the year, and then they select the players to play in the team [for tests]. 'We won't find out [if they have made the squad] until after the grand final, which is in 10 to 12 weeks.' The Silver Ferns face South Africa in a three-test series for the Taini Jamison Trophy in September, followed by a four-test Constellation Cup home and away series against Australia in October. New Zealand won the Constellation Cup series 3-1 last year, and Poi knows only too well how tough it will be to hold on to the silverware. 'They [Australia] just don't let you breathe when you're playing ... they're with you the whole time ... across the board, they've probably got a bit of depth, where they can change it up.' Poi likes to relax and destress in different ways after a game. 'I quite like to watch the game back, initially ... kind of get that out of the way and debrief. 'In my spare time, I'm quite a nana and just like staying home or staying in a hotel, and watching series ... I do [read] a book now and then, but I have to be in the mood.' She also enjoys 'getting out ... getting some fresh air, maybe go to the pools or something, just [to] do a little bit of recovery as well.' Poi is of Ngāti Porou descent. She was brought up in Tikitiki and attended Tikitiki School before the family shifted to Napier, where she went to Napier Girls' High. Her parents are Billy Poi and Roanne Baker. She has two sisters, Jade and Ashleigh, and a brother, Morgan. Her parents are now back living in Tikitiki. Poi returns to the North Island a few times a year. 'I try to get back, definitely over the Christmas-New Year period, and then maybe one or two other times throughout the year. 'My parents are always very good, and they come and watch me around the country as well, so I get to see them a few times in the year.' Asked what messages she would have for young girls looking to go further with their netball, she said: 'One of them would be to take opportunities when they arise. You never know who's watching, so always put your best foot forward. 'Another one would be to keep enjoying what you're doing ... if you play your best netball or whatever you're doing.' Poi said the Steel were heading to Dunedin early to visit netball centres and schools. '[We'll] do some coaching and question and answers [and] hang out with some kids. That'll be really cool to get back out in the community.'
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Pulse Boosted By Return Of Souness
Press Release – Netball Central Zone Against the backdrop of a shortened season, players trickling back from injury has been a welcome boost for Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse and their expectations of a successful ANZ Premiership netball campaign. Refreshed and repaired after a lengthy lay-off following ankle surgery, sparkling midcourter Whitney Souness made a successful return when going on to play three quarters of last week's opening round match while adding to the Pulse's playing stocks for their clash against the Mystics in Auckland on Saturday. Speed, agility, deft footwork and pin-point feeds are all part of the pivot's trademark skills and after several months of inactivity, she was quickly back into her work, defying her time away but conscious of needing to raise the bar against a well-credentialled Mystics. Both teams had opening round wins. 'After their first game, they'll be on a high and seeing them play, they've got flair, speed and experience, so they'll be ready to play hard,'' Souness said of the impending clash. 'We've just got to stop them early, bring the intensity from the first whistle and really take off from the outset. 'It's going to be tough, it's going to be fast, it's going to be physical and they'll bring it but we'll bring it too.'' Injured when playing for the Silver Ferns in the second test of the Taini Jamison Trophy series against England last September, Souness eventually underwent a total ankle reconstruction to repair the two ligaments, one of which was hanging upside down. The mercurial little midcourter mirrored her on-court presence with immaculate timing through her five months of rehabbing. Having just two pre-season hit-outs for limited minutes in the two weeks preceding the opening round of the ANZ Premiership, the plan of being ready for Round 1 couldn't have worked out any better. 'I'm really grateful for all the support from our physios, coaches, trainers and team-mates to get me there,'' she said. 'I probably just started doing court stuff about five weeks ago and up until then had not done any. 'Getting rid of a few cobwebs was important in that first game and just getting used to playing netball at that intensity and that level again. It wasn't just about me having to find my feet back on the court but also finding my netball mind, that took a bit of adjusting. 'Because I've been loaded and managed for a bit on the court, I haven't been able to train fully some days but I'm back to normal now, so hopefully from here, with more game time and more full trainings, I'll find my full confidence and be able to just keep pushing.'' The down time has given Souness a complete mental and physical break from netball, from which she has returned refreshed and invigorated. Having started a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Samoan Studies, some years ago, she has returned to the books with relish, completing four elective papers during summer school. Souness has welcomed the injection of former Australian Diamond midcourter Gabi Simpson and shooter Amorangi Malesala, as temporary injury cover, both adding to a vibrant Pulse mix. 'Gabi just brings a different intensity that we're not used to, so it's really cool having her in the group, her experience, her speed and her netball head,'' Souness said. 'There's lots to learn from her and she's always got some good feedback that we can take in and improve from. She's bringing real of value to this group. 'Having Amorangi come in and have an opportunity to play is great for her and both she and Gabi did really well in our first game. They've been training hard, they really want to be here and they're making their mark.'' Souness was happy with how the Pulse adjusted to the new rules in the first round, particularly the two-point shot, expecting as time goes on with more practical game-time experience, there will be refinement according to what works best and what doesn't. The match will be screened live and free to air on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ at 4pm on Saturday.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Pulse Boosted By Return Of Souness
Against the backdrop of a shortened season, players trickling back from injury has been a welcome boost for Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse and their expectations of a successful ANZ Premiership netball campaign. Refreshed and repaired after a lengthy lay-off following ankle surgery, sparkling midcourter Whitney Souness made a successful return when going on to play three quarters of last week's opening round match while adding to the Pulse's playing stocks for their clash against the Mystics in Auckland on Saturday. Speed, agility, deft footwork and pin-point feeds are all part of the pivot's trademark skills and after several months of inactivity, she was quickly back into her work, defying her time away but conscious of needing to raise the bar against a well-credentialled Mystics. Both teams had opening round wins. ``After their first game, they'll be on a high and seeing them play, they've got flair, speed and experience, so they'll be ready to play hard,'' Souness said of the impending clash. ``We've just got to stop them early, bring the intensity from the first whistle and really take off from the outset. ``It's going to be tough, it's going to be fast, it's going to be physical and they'll bring it but we'll bring it too.'' Injured when playing for the Silver Ferns in the second test of the Taini Jamison Trophy series against England last September, Souness eventually underwent a total ankle reconstruction to repair the two ligaments, one of which was hanging upside down. The mercurial little midcourter mirrored her on-court presence with immaculate timing through her five months of rehabbing. Having just two pre-season hit-outs for limited minutes in the two weeks preceding the opening round of the ANZ Premiership, the plan of being ready for Round 1 couldn't have worked out any better. ``I'm really grateful for all the support from our physios, coaches, trainers and team-mates to get me there,'' she said. ``I probably just started doing court stuff about five weeks ago and up until then had not done any. ``Getting rid of a few cobwebs was important in that first game and just getting used to playing netball at that intensity and that level again. It wasn't just about me having to find my feet back on the court but also finding my netball mind, that took a bit of adjusting. ``Because I've been loaded and managed for a bit on the court, I haven't been able to train fully some days but I'm back to normal now, so hopefully from here, with more game time and more full trainings, I'll find my full confidence and be able to just keep pushing.'' The down time has given Souness a complete mental and physical break from netball, from which she has returned refreshed and invigorated. Having started a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Samoan Studies, some years ago, she has returned to the books with relish, completing four elective papers during summer school. Souness has welcomed the injection of former Australian Diamond midcourter Gabi Simpson and shooter Amorangi Malesala, as temporary injury cover, both adding to a vibrant Pulse mix. ``Gabi just brings a different intensity that we're not used to, so it's really cool having her in the group, her experience, her speed and her netball head,'' Souness said. ``There's lots to learn from her and she's always got some good feedback that we can take in and improve from. She's bringing real of value to this group. ``Having Amorangi come in and have an opportunity to play is great for her and both she and Gabi did really well in our first game. They've been training hard, they really want to be here and they're making their mark.'' Souness was happy with how the Pulse adjusted to the new rules in the first round, particularly the two-point shot, expecting as time goes on with more practical game-time experience, there will be refinement according to what works best and what doesn't. The match will be screened live and free to air on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ at 4pm on Saturday.
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Silver Ferns skipper criticises test eligibility criteria, calls for Grace Nweke exception
The 34-year-old told Newstalk ZB she will never meet the requirements, and will have to choose when to cut ties for an opportunity abroad. 'Reaching 100 is impossible for me. I won't reach 100 if I look to still play over in Suncorp [Super Netball]. The eligibility is quite tough because we have only got a handful of centurions. 'If we stick with that eligibility criteria, there would've only been a couple of people who would've been able to actually go and play [abroad]. Who knows if that needs to be revisited?' Nweke put up 54 goals to help the top of the table Swifts to their fourth victory of the season over former Stars coach Kiri Wills' Firebirds on Sunday. Ekenasio said Nweke's presence is vital for the Ferns. 'Grace is a one-of-a-kind type of player. Purely as a player, I'd love to see her playing because she's an asset to our team, massively. I love playing with her. I'll be eagerly awaiting whenever that decision is locked in.' Nweke has been vocal about her desire to still represent the Ferns, telling the Inside Netball podcast she is still holding out hope of playing tests in 2025. NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie said at the ANZ Premiership launch there is no update on the board's plan to review the selection policy, but it is 'on the agenda'. Wyllie last month said they are aware of Nweke's comments and the board will examine the criteria. 'They are continually reviewing and revising their views on it, so that's certainly something for our board to discuss.' Wyllie said she will stand by the board's decision. 'But I am encouraging them to make sure we continue to show flexibility and review these policies as they are needed.' Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has also expressed her desire for Nweke to receive an exemption. The 23-year-old has been retained in the national side's leadership group and Taurua is in regular contact with her. New Zealand will play South Africa in three home tests in the Taini Jamison Trophy series in September. The Ferns will then attempt to defend the Constellation Cup against the Australia Diamonds across four tests, two either side of the Tasman.
