NSW Swifts shooter Grace Nweke has been named in an experienced 12-strong Silver Ferns team to represent New Zealand at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Nweke, who scored 667 goals for the Swifts in their 2026 Suncorp Super Netball campaign has been selected for her second Comm Games.
Defender Kelly Jackson has the most Games experience of the NZ team, returning for a third campaign, while Kate Heffernan, like Nweke, will also be attending her second.
Nine players, a mix of experience and rising talent, will be making their Games debuts at the Glasgow 2026, to be held July 23-August 2. These players are Karin Burger, Madeline Gordon, Catherine Hall*, Georgia Heffernan, Kimiora Poi*, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Martina Salmon, Carys Stythe and Amelia Walmsley.
The side will be captained by Karin Burger, with Kate Heffernan taking Vice Captain duties.
Six reserves have also been named, made up of Kate Burley, Aliyah Dunn, Tayla Earle, Parris Mason (travelling reserve), Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Elisapeta Toeava.
New Zealand Netball Coach Dame Noeline Taurua, who will guide the national side for the second time at a Commonwealth Games, is excited by the mix of talent in the team.
"When you look at the make-up of the squad we have a great balance of players who will be around for many more pinnacle events, as well as more mature players who are in the prime of their careers and delivering amazing performances,’’ she said.
“This is an exciting team which showed what it is capable of last year. There is resilience, grit and genuine hunger within this group.
“Many of these players are also familiar with our court systems, processes and routines.
"With a short runway between assembling as a team and our first opening match against Scotland, continuity and familiarity becomes a real asset. In a campaign where every training session counts, this team allows us to spend less time learning and more time refining, connecting and performing.
Dame Noeline says they have been planning for this campaign for a number of years.
“The Commonwealth Games, alongside the 2027 Netball World Cup, is a pinnacle event and a key milestone within our four year cycle.
“We know it’s going to be a huge challenge, but it’s one we’re excited about. To represent New Zealand at an iconic event such as the Commonwealth Games, and to be part of a wider New Zealand team alongside athletes from a range of sports, is a privilege. We are ready to embrace the challenge, enjoy the experience and grab the opportunity with both hands”.
Dame Noeline will also have NSW Swifts head coach Briony Akle on board as an assistant coach for the trip north.
The team will assemble for a three-day training camp in New Zealand in early July after players finish their domestic seasons. They will then head to the UK, where they will base themselves in Manchester for a camp before heading to Glasgow.
The Glasgow 2026 netball competition involves two pools of six teams, with the No 2-seeded New Zealand in Pool B alongside Jamaica, Wales, Uganda, Scotland and Trinidad & Tobago.
New Zealand will play the opening game of the tournament against hosts Scotland on July 25.
New Zealand team:
- Shooters: Georgia Heffernan, Grace Nweke, Martina Salmon, Amelia Walmsley.
- Midcourt: Madeline Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Kimiora Poi*, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan.
- Defence: Karin Burger, Catherine Hall*, Kelly Jackson, Carys Stythe.
*Subject to medical clearance
Team reserves: Kate Burley, Aliyah Dunn, Tayla Earle, Parris Mason, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Elisapeta Toeava.
