Silver Ferns team named

Netball New Zealand today confirmed the 12-strong Silver Ferns team that will play against the Australian Netball Diamonds in the New World Netball Series in June and then travel to Singapore to compete in the World Netball Championships, 3-10 July 2011.

Shooters Paula Griffin (Steel) and Cathrine Latu** (Mystics) are the two additions to the successful Silver Ferns side that won Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said there has been some tight contesting for places in the side and that National Selectors had been impressed with the overall standard players had shown in this year’s ANZ Championship.

“It’s been a busy schedule since the Commonwealth Games with the World Netball Series, an early tour to England and an earlier ANZ Championship season, so selectors have had ample opportunity to see the best players in NZ and competition for places in this team has been extremely competitive. With only 74 days until the beginning of the World Netball Championships we didn’t want the uncertainty of World Championship selection distracting the players we want them to concentrate on winning the ANZ Championship”, she said.

The Silver Ferns will play the Australian Netball Diamonds in a five test Series, two of which will be played prior to the World Netball Championships at Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North (9th June) and Vector Arena, Auckland (12th June). The Silver Ferns squad and team will be re-selected prior to the remaining three tests in October.

The Silver Ferns are in Pool B in the World Netball Championships alongside Trinidad & Tobago, Fiji and Wales. Their first pool game is on Monday 4th July against Fiji at 3.30pm.


The Silver Ferns team is:
Leana de Bruin (Steel)
Temepara George (vice-captain) (Mystics)
Katrina Grant (Pulse)
Paula Griffin (Steel)
Joline Henry - subject to medical clearance (Mystics)
Laura Langman (Magic)
Liana Leota (Steel)
Cathrine Latu **subject to eligibility being approved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Mystics)
Anna Scarlett (Mystics)
Maria Tutaia (Mystics)
Irene van Dyk (Magic)
Casey Williams (captain) (Magic)

**Netball New Zealand is currently appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to approve Cathrine Latu’s eligibility to play for the Silver Ferns at the 2011 World Netball Championship in Singapore. Cathrine is eligible to play for the Silver Ferns in the New World Netball Series against Australia.