List of New Zealand international netball players

The following is a list of notable New Zealand netball international players who have represented the national team in international tournaments such as the Commonwealth Games, the Netball World Cup, the World Games, the Taini Jamison Trophy, the Constellation Cup, the Netball Quad Series and in other senior test matches.^[1]

Current squad

The current squad was selected for the 2024 Constellation Cup.

New Zealand roster
Players	Coaches
Name Pos DOB Height Club Nat Caps Karin Burger WD, GD, GK (1993-04-12)12 April 1993 (aged 31) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Mainland Tactix Ameliaranne Ekenasio (c) GA, GS (1991-01-11)11 January 1991 (aged 33) 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Maddy Gordon C, WA, WD (2000-01-16)16 January 2000 (aged 24) 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) Central Pulse Kate Heffernan WD, C, WA (1999-10-07)7 October 1999 (aged 25) 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) Southern Steel Kelly Jackson GK, GD (1996-10-22)22 October 1996 (aged 27) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Central Pulse Phoenix Karaka GK, GD (1993-11-06)6 November 1993 (aged 30) 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Northern Mystics Paris Mason GK, GD, WD (2002-12-13)13 December 2002 (aged 21) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Central Pulse Erena Mikaere GD, GK (1988-07-09)9 July 1988 (aged 36) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Grace Nweke GS (2002-02-07)7 February 2002 (aged 22) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) New South Wales Swifts Claire O'Brien WA, C (1997-03-11)11 March 1997 (aged 27) 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Kimiora Poi C, WA (1997-11-01)1 November 1997 (aged 26) 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) Southern Steel Amelia Walmsley GS, GA (2004-01-31)31 January 2004 (aged 20) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Central Pulse Maia Wilson GS, GA (1997-09-21)21 September 1997 (aged 27) 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) Northern Stars	Head coach Noeline Taurua Notes (c) – Captain (cc) – Co-captain (vc) – Vice-captain – Injury / maternity leave (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player

Source:^[2]

First Test

On 20 August 1938, New Zealand made their test debut in an away match against at Australia at Royal Park, Melbourne. Australia defeated New Zealand 40–11. This was the first netball Test between Australia and New Zealand. It was also the world's first international netball match.^[3] The following New Zealand netball internationals played in this first test.

Player	Appearances	Years
Margaret Matangi[4]	1	1938
Jean Mitchell[5]	1	1938
Ethel Divers[6]	1	1938
Muriel Boswell[7]	1	1938
Mary Martin[8]	1	1938
Ethel Withell[9]	1	1938
Jean Lomax[10]	1	1938

First home test

On 20 August 1948, New Zealand hosted their first home test against Australia at Forbury Park. Australia defeated New Zealand 27–16.^[11] The following New Zealand netball internationals played in this first home test.

Player	Appearances	Years
Oonah Shannahan[12]	1	1948
Azalea Sinclair[13]	1	1948
Dixie Cockerton[14]	1	1948
Josie Yelas[15]	3	1948
Alison Preston-Thomas[16]	3	1948
Mary Sullivan[17]	2	1948
Dell Bandeen[18]	2	1948

Captains

Years	Captains	Series/Tournaments
1938	Margaret Matangi[4]	First Test against Australia
1948	Oonah Shannahan[12]	First test home series against Australia
1948	Beverley Malcolm[19]	Second test home series against Australia
1948	Betty Plant[20]	Third test home series against Australia
1960	June Mariu[21]	Away series against Australia
1963	Pamela Barham[22][23]	1963 World Netball Championships
1967	Judy Blair[24][25]	1967 World Netball Championships
1971	Joan Harnett[26][27]	1971 World Netball Championships
1975	Shirley Langrope[28][29]	1975 World Netball Championships
1979–1985	Lyn Gunson[30][31][32][33]	1979 World Netball Championships 1983 World Netball Championships 1985 World Games
1987	Leigh Gibbs[34][35]	1987 World Netball Championships
1988	Tracey Fear[36]
1989–1991	Waimarama Taumaunu[37][38][39]	1989 World Games 1991 World Netball Championships
1990	Julie Townsend[40][41]	1990 Commonwealth Games
1992	Ana Noovao[42]
1992–1993	Julie Carter[43][44]	1993 World Games
1994–1995	Sandra Edge[45][46]	1995 World Netball Championships
1996–1997	Lesley Rumball[47]
1997, 2000–2001	Bernice Mene[48][49][50]
1997–1999	Belinda Colling[51][52]	1998 Commonwealth Games 1999 World Netball Championships
2002, 2008	Julie Seymour[53]	2002 Commonwealth Games 2008 Taini Jamison Trophy Series
2002–2004	Anna Rowberry[54][55]	2003 World Netball Championships
2004–2007	Adine Wilson[56][57]	2006 Commonwealth Games 2007 World Netball Championships
2008–2015	Casey Kopua (née Williams)[58][59]	2009 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2010 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2010 Constellation Cup 2011 Constellation Cup 2010 Commonwealth Games 2011 World Netball Championships 2012 Netball Quad Series 2013 Constellation Cup 2013 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2014 Commonwealth Games 2014 Constellation Cup 2014 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2015 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2015 Netball World Cup 2015 Constellation Cup
2011	Temepara George[60]	2011 Constellation Cup
2008 2011–2012 2018–2019	Laura Langman[61][62][63][64]	2008 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2011 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2011 Constellation Cup 2012 Constellation Cup 2018 Netball Quad Series (September) 2018 Constellation Cup 2019 Netball Quad Series 2019 Netball World Cup 2019 Constellation Cup
2016–2018	Katrina Rore[65]	2016 Netball Quad Series 2016 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2016 Constellation Cup 2017 Netball Quad Series (January/February) 2017 Netball Quad Series (August/September) 2017 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2017 Constellation Cup 2018 Netball Quad Series (January) 2018 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2018 Commonwealth Games
2020–	Ameliaranne Ekenasio[66]	2020 Netball Nations Cup[67][68] 2020 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2021 Constellation Cup[69][70] 2022 Taini Jamison Trophy Series[71][72][73] 2022 Constellation Cup 2023 Netball Quad Series[74] 2023 Taini Jamison Trophy Series[75] 2023 Constellation Cup[75]
2020–2021	Jane Watson[76]	2021 Constellation Cup
2021	Gina Crampton[76][77][78][79][80]	2021 Constellation Cup 2021 Taini Jamison Trophy Series 2022 Netball Quad Series 2022 Commonwealth Games
2021	Sulu Fitzpatrick[81]	2021 Taini Jamison Trophy Series
2024	Phoenix Karaka[82]	2024 Netball Nations Cup
2024	Kate Heffernan[83][84]	2024 Netball Nations Cup

Sources:^[85][86]

Most-capped internationals

Centurions

Irene van Dyk made 145 appearances for New Zealand between 2000 and 2014. Between 1994 and 1999 she made 72 appearances for South Africa.

Player	Appearances	Years
Laura Langman[61][87]	163	2005–2020
Maria Folau[88]	150	2005–2019
Irene van Dyk[89][90]	145	2000–2014
Katrina Rore[65]	137	2008–
Casey Kopua (née Williams)[58]	135	2005–2019
Lesley Rumball[47]	110	1994–2005
Leana de Bruin[91]	104	2003–2016

Sources:^{[92][93][94][95]}

70+ Appearances

Player	Appearances	Years
Belinda Colling[51]	92	1996–2006
Anna Stanley[54]	92	1994–2007
Joline Henry[96]	91	2003–2014
Temepara Bailey[97]	89	1996–2011
Sandra Edge[45][98]	89	1985–1995
Julie Seymour[53]	89	1994–2009
Anna Harrison[99]	88	2002–2017
Shannon Saunders[100]	85	2013–
Adine Wilson[56]	79	1999–2006
Waimarama Taumaunu[37][101]	77	1981–1991
Bernice Mene[48]	76	1992–2001
Bailey Mes[102]	72	2012–
Lyn Gunson[30]	70	1974–1985

New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame

The following New Zealand netball internationals have been inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.

Inducted	Player	Appearances	Years
1990	Joan Harnett[26][103]	26	1963–1971
1993	Lois Muir[104][105]	13	1960–1964
1996	Waimarama Taumaunu[37][101]	77	1981–1991
1999	Rita Fatialofa[106][107]	45	1982–1989
2001	Sandra Edge[45][98]	89	1985–1995
2016	Lesley Rumball[47][108]	110	1994–2005

Sources:^[109]

National team head coaches

The following New Zealand netball internationals subsequently served as head coach of the national team.

Current head coach, Noeline Taurua, made 34 appearances as a player for New Zealand between 1994 and 1999.

Name	Player apps	Player years	Coach years
Dixie Cockerton[14][110]	1	1948	1960–1963
Lois Muir[104][111]	13	1960–1964	1974–1988
Lyn Gunson[30][112]	70	1974–1985	1989–1993
Leigh Gibbs[34][113]	61	1978–1987	1994–1997
Yvonne Willering[114][115]	57	1974–1983	1997–2001
Ruth Aitken[116][117]	3	1979	2002–2011
Waimarama Taumaunu[37][118]	77	1981–1991	2011–2015
Noeline Taurua[119][120]	34	1994–1999	2018–

Sources:^[121]

Gold medalists

Netball World Cup

1967

The following New Zealand netball internationals were members of the squad that won the 1967 World Netball Championships. In 1996 they were also inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.^{[25][122][123]}

Joan Harnett, 1963–1971, 26 appearances. In 1990 Harnett was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.

Player	Appearances	Years
Judy Blair[24]	19	1960–1967
Ann Boelee[124]	6	1967
Margaret Gardiner[125]	1	1967
Pam Hamilton[126]	8	1967
Joan Harnett[26][103]	26	1963–1971
Billie Irwin[127]	7	1967
Sandra James[128]	2	1967
Elizabeth Rowley[129]	1	1967
Mirth Solomon[130]	9	1963–1967
Tilly Vercoe[131]	19	1967–1971

1979

The following New Zealand netball internationals were members of the New Zealand squad that shared the gold medal at the 1979 World Netball Championships with Australia and Trinidad and Tobago.^[31][123]

Margaret Forsyth, 1979–1987, 64 appearances

Player	Appearances	Years
Maxine Blomquist[132]	31	1974–1982
Ruth Fathers[117]	3	1979
Margaret Forsyth[133]	64	1979–1987
Lyn Parker[30]	70	1974–1985
Janice Henderson[134]	6	1979–1981
Margharet Kamana[135]	68	1978–1987
Geane Katae[136]	10	1979–1982
Leigh Mills[34]	61	1978–1987
Millie Munro[137]	41	1974–1982
Christine Pietzner[138]	21	1974–1979
Lynn Proudlove[139]	6	1979–1983
Yvonne Willering[115]	57	1974–1983

1987

The following New Zealand netball internationals were members of the squad that won the 1987 World Netball Championships. In 1996 they were also inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.^{[35][123][140]}

Waimarama Taumaunu, 1981–1991, 77 appearances

Player	Appearances	Years
Tracy Eyrl[141]	58	1986–1995
Rita Fatialofa[106][107]	45	1982–1989
Tracey Fear[36]	63	1982–1988
Margaret Forsyth[133]	64	1979–1987
Leigh Gibbs[34]	61	1978–1987
Annette Heffernan[142]	9	1985–1990
Sandra Mallet[45][98]	89	1985–1995
Margharet Matenga[135]	68	1978–1987
Angela Pule[143]	1	1987
Joan Solia[144]	35	1986–1993
Waimarama Taumaunu[37][101]	77	1981–1991
Julie Townsend[40]	37	1985–1990

2003

The following New Zealand netball internationals were members of the squad that won the 2003 World Netball Championships.^[55][123] At the 2003 Halberg Awards, the New Zealand national netball team won both the main award were named Team of the Year. Their head coach, Ruth Aitken, was named Coach of the Year and Irene van Dyk was named Sportswoman of the Year.^[145]

Player	Appearances	Years
Sheryl Clarke[146]	62	1997–2009
Belinda Colling[51]	92	1996–2006
Tania Dalton[147]	12	1996–2007
Vilimaina Davu[148]	60	2000–2006
Leana du Plooy[91]	104	2003–2016
Temepara George[97]	89	1996–2011
Lesley Nicol[47]	110	1994–2005
Anna Rowberry[54]	92	1994–2007
Anna Scarlett[99]	88	2002–2017
Jodi Te Huna[149]	61	2002–2015
Irene van Dyk[89][90]	145	2000–2014
Adine Wilson[56]	79	1999–2006

2019

The following New Zealand netball internationals were members of the squad that won the 2019 Netball World Cup.^[150][123] At the 2019 Halberg Awards, the New Zealand national netball team won both the Halberg Award Supreme and were named Team of the Year. Winning the 2019 Netball World Cup was declared New Zealand's Favourite Sport Moment and their head coach, Noeline Taurua, was named Coach of the Year.^[151] The team was also awarded the 2019 Lonsdale Cup.^[152]

Player	Appearances	Years
Maria Folau[88]	150	2005–2019
Laura Langman[61]	163	2005–2020
Ameliaranne Ekenasio[66]	47	2014–
Gina Crampton[77]	52	2016–
Bailey Mes[102]	72	2012–
Casey Kopua[58]	135	2005–2019
Jane Watson[153]	52	2016–
Shannon Saunders[100]	85	2013–
Karin Burger[154]	33	2018–
Phoenix Karaka[155]	34	2014–
Katrina Rore[65]	137	2008–
Te Paea Selby-Rickit[156]	48	2016–

World Games

1985

The following New Zealand netball internationals were members of the squad that won the gold medal at the 1985 World Games.^[33]

Player	Appearances	Years
Rita Fatialofa[106][107]	45	1982–1989
Tracey Fear[36]	63	1982–1988
Margaret Forsyth[133]	64	1979–1987
Leigh Gibbs[34]	61	1978–1987
Annette Heffernan[142]	9	1985–1990
Karen Henrikson[157]	16	1985–1986
Sandra Mallet[45][98]	89	1985–1995
Margharet Matenga[135]	68	1978–1987
Rhonda Meads[158]	20	1982–1985
Lyn Parker[30]	70	1974–1985
Waimarama Taumaunu[37][101]	77	1981–1991
Julie Townsend[40]	37	1985–1990

1989

The following New Zealand netball internationals were members of the squad that won the gold medal at the 1989 World Games.^[38] At the 1989 Halberg Awards, the New Zealand national netball team was named Team of the Year and their head coach, Lyn Parker, was named Coach of the Year.^[159]

Player	Appearances	Years
Sharon Burridge[160]	19	1988–1995
Julie Carter[43]	50	1986–1993
Robin Dillimore[161]	32	1989–1994
Sandra Edge[45][98]	89	1985–1995
Tracy Eyrl-Shortland[141]	58	1986–1995
Rita Fatialofa[106][107]	45	1982–1989
Annette Heffernan[142]	9	1985–1990
April Ieremia[162]	9	1988–1992
Ana Noovao[42]	23	1989–1992
Waimarama Taumaunu[37][101]	77	1981–1991
Julie Townsend[40]	37	1985–1990
Louisa Wall[163]	28	1989–1992

Commonwealth Games

2006

The following New Zealand netball internationals were members of the squad that won the gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.^[164]

Player	Appearances	Years
Leana de Bruin[91]	104	2003–2016
Belinda Colling[51]	92	1996–2006
Vilimaina Davu[148]	60	2000–2006
Temepara George[97]	89	1996–2011
Laura Langman[61]	163	2005–2020
Jessica Tuki[165]	3	2006
Anna Rowberry[54]	92	1994–2007
Anna Scarlett[99]	88	2002–2017
Maria Tutaia[88]	150	2005–2019
Irene van Dyk[89]	145	2000–2014
Casey Williams[58]	135	2005–2019
Adine Wilson[56]	79	1999–2006

2010

The following New Zealand netball internationals were members of the squad that won the gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.^[164] The team was also awarded the 2010 Lonsdale Cup.^[166][167]

29 August 2010; The Governor-General of New Zealand, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, talks to New Zealand's Joline Henry during the 2010 Constellation Cup series.

Player	Appearances	Years
Liana Leota[168]	41	2008–2015
Leana de Bruin[91]	104	2003–2016
Temepara George[97]	89	1996–2011
Katrina Grant[65]	137	2008–
Joline Henry[96]	91	2003–2014
Laura Langman[61]	163	2005–2020
Grace Rasmussen[169]	63	2010–
Anna Scarlett[99]	88	2002–2017
Maria Tutaia[88]	150	2005–2019
Irene van Dyk[89]	145	2000–2014
Casey Williams[58]	135	2005–2019
Daneka Wipiiti[170]	18	2002–2011

Top 25 of the Last 25

In April 2022 to celebrate twenty five years of elite netball leagues in New Zealand, a panel of former coaches and players, selected the top twenty five players that, between 1998 and 2022, had played in the National Bank Cup, the ANZ Championship and the ANZ Premiership. All twenty five were New Zealand internationals.

Maria Folau playing for Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

Player	Appearances	Years
Temepara Bailey[97]	89	1996–2011
Belinda Colling[51]	92	1996–2006
Vilimaina Davu[148]	60	2000–2006
Leana de Bruin[91]	104	2003–2016
Ameliaranne Ekenasio[66]	47	2014–
Sulu Fitzpatrick[171]	27	2011–2023
Maria Folau[88]	150	2005–2019
Wendy Frew[172]	1	2008
Anna Harrison[99]	88	2002–2017
Joline Johansson[96]	91	2003–2014
Casey Kopua[58]	135	2005–2019
Laura Langman[61]	163	2005–2020
Bernice Mene[48]	76	1992–2001
Katrina Rore[65]	137	2008–
Lesley Rumball[47]	110	1994–2005
Sheryl Scanlan[146]	62	1997–2009
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit[173]	2	2013
Julie Seymour[53]	89	1994–2009
Anna Stanley[54]	92	1994–2007
Cathrine Tuivaiti[174]	24	2011–2014
Linda Vagana[175]	64	1993–2002
Irene van Dyk[89]	145	2000–2014
Jane Watson[153]	52	2016–
Donna Wilkins[176]	56	1996–2002
Adine Wilson[56]	79	1999–2006

Sources:^[177][178]

New Zealand Netball Awards

Netball New Zealand 75th Anniversary Dream Team

In June 2000, as part of their 75th anniversary celebration's, Netball New Zealand named a New Zealand Dream Team.

Starting Seven

Position	Player	Appearances	Years
GS	Margharet Matenga[4]	1	1938
GA	Joan Harnett[26][103]	26	1963–1971
WA	Rita Fatialofa[106][107]	45	1982–1989
C	Sandra Edge[45][98]	89	1985–1995
WD	Lyn Gunson[30]	70	1974–1985
GD	Yvonne Willering[115]	57	1974–1983
GK	Tracey Fear[36]	63	1982–1988

Bench

Position	Player	Appearances	Years
GA, GS, WA	Judy Blair[24]	19	1960–1967
GA	Margaret Forsyth[133]	64	1979–1987
WD	Leigh Gibbs[34]	61	1978–1987
WA, C, WD	Shirley Langrope[28]	19	1969–1975
GK	Bernice Mene[48]	76	1992–2001

Source:^[179]

Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award

The Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award recognises the best New Zealand netball internationals across all elite competitions and international campaigns. The award is named after Dame Lois Muir DNZM OBE. It is regarded as the highest individual accolade a New Zealand netballer can achieve. ^[180]

Year	Winner
2015[181][182]	Laura Langman
2016[183]	Laura Langman
2019[184][185][186][187]	Laura Langman
2021[188][189][190]	Sulu Fitzpatrick
2022[191][192][193]	Grace Nweke (Note 1)
2022[191][192][193]	Kelly Jury (Note 1)

Notes

• ^1 Grace Nweke and Kelly Jury shared 2022 award.

Sources:^[194]

Silver Ferns Player of the Year

The Silver Ferns Player of the Year is awarded to the New Zealand netball international player who has displayed consistent, outstanding performances throughout the international season.^[180]

Year	Winner
2015[181][182]	Laura Langman
2016[183]	Laura Langman
2019[184][185][186][187]	Ameliaranne Ekenasio
2021[188][189][190]	Samantha Winders
2022[191][192][193]	Grace Nweke

Dual internationals

Netball

The following New Zealand netball internationals also represented other national teams in international netball.

Player	NZ Appearances	Years	Other team	Appearances	Years
Leana de Bruin[91]	104	2003–2016	South Africa	34	??
Vilimaina Davu[148]	60	2000–2006	Fiji	57?	1993–1999, 2007
Irene van Dyk[89][90]	145	2000–2014	South Africa	72	1994–2000
Ameliaranne Ekenasio[66]	53	2014–	Australia	(Note 2)	2010–2011
Kristiana Manu'a[195]	(Note 3)	2022	Australia	2	2016
Lynne Macdonald[196]	2	1969	England		1975 ?
Jamie-Lee Price[197][198][199]	(Note 4)	2014	Australia	30	2018–
Rachel Rasmussen	(Note 5)	2010	Samoa		2003, 2019
Leilani Read[200]	9	1993–1996	Samoa		1995
Sheryl Clarke[146]	62	1997–2009	Samoa	10	1996–1999
Courtney Tairi[201]	3	2013	Australia	(Note 6)	2008–2009
Cathrine Tuivaiti[174]	24	2011–2014	Samoa	30	2005–2007
Lorna Suafoa[202]	10	1998–1999	Samoa
Linda Vagana[175]	64	1993–2002	Samoa		2003

Notes

• ^2 Ameliaranne Ekenasio represented Australia at under-19 and under-21 levels.
• ^3 Kristiana Manu'a represented New Zealand at the 2022 Fast5 Netball World Series.
• ^4 Jamie-Lee Price represented New Zealand at secondary school level and under-21 levels and at the 2014 Fast5 Netball World Series.
• ^5 Rachel Rasmussen represented New Zealand at the 2010 World Netball Series.
• ^6 Courtney Tairi represented Australia at under-21 level.

Netball and Basketball

The following New Zealand netball internationals also played for the New Zealand women's national basketball team.

Player	Netball Apps	Years	Basketball Apps	Years
Sheryl Burns[203]	8	1992–1993		1985–1991, 1995
Belinda Colling[51][204]	92	1996–2006		2000
Lynne Macdonald[196]	2	1969
Lois Muir[104][105]	13	1960–1964		1952–1962
Jessica Tuki[165][205][206][207]	3	2006		2014
Donna Wilkins[176][208]	56	1996–2002	95	2000–2006
Maia Wilson[205][206][209][210]	36	2016–		2014

Family

Sisters

Sister 1	Apps	Years	Sister 2	Apps	Years
Maxine Blomquist[132]	31	1974–1982	Annette Heffernan[142]	9	1985–1990
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit[173]	2	2013	Te Paea Selby-Rickit[156]	48	2016–
Kate Heffernan[211]	34	2022–	Georgia Heffernan[212][213]	3	2024–

Sources:^[214]

Mothers and daughters

Mother	Apps	Years	Daughter	Apps	Years
Judy Blair[24]	19	1960–1967	Belinda Charteris[215]	53	1994–2002
Brenda Rowberry[216]	12	1969–1971	Anna Stanley[54]	92	1994–2007
Annette Heffernan[142]	9	1985–1990	Kate Heffernan[211]	34	2022–
Waimarama Taumaunu[37]	77	1981–1991	Tiana Metuarau[217]	6	2021–
Annette Heffernan[142]	9	1985–1990	Georgia Heffernan[212][213]	3	2024–