Silver Ferns team named for 2010 Commonwealth Games

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) together with Netball New Zealand today announced the 12-strong Netball team that will represent New Zealand, and defend their Gold Medal, at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

Former NZU21 team member and Northern Mystics player Grace Rasmussen is the new cap in the Silver Ferns side named today and is joined by three re-called Silver Ferns, shooter Daneka Wipiiti and defenders Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett who all make a comeback to the team.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said there were some tough selection decisions but that she and the National Selectors were confident the 12 players selected will continue to develop further individually and as a unit over the coming months until the Commonwealth Games in October.

“I am excited about the team we have selected,” Aitken said, “Each of these players knows the commitment needed both physically and mentally to win back to back Commonwealth Games Gold Medals”

Barry Maister was also delighted to name the team today. “New Zealand has a proud Commonwealth Games history in Netball,” he said. “The Silver Ferns have finished on the podium at every games since Netball was first introduced as a Commonwealth sport in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur. I know the players will give it their all to make New Zealand proud in Delhi.”

New cap Grace Rasmussen impressed National Selectors at the three-day selection camp proving to be a powerful addition to both the shooting and midcourt options for the Silver Ferns. A Silver Ferns Squad Member since 2009, Rasmussen’s tenacity and determination on and off the court has paid off.

“Grace is a dynamic and creative player who provides the Silver Ferns with strong options both in shooting and in the midcourt,” said Aitken.

The Silver Ferns leave for Delhi on the 24th September and will compete against England, Papua New Guinea, The Cook Islands, South Africa and Barbados in Pool Play, beginning 4th October.

In the lead up to the Commonwealth Games the Silver Ferns will play Samoa, Jamaica and Australia in the New World International Netball Series.

The Commonwealth Games take place in Delhi, India 3 – 14 October. New Zealand’s total Commonwealth Games team is expected to number 195 athletes and 100 support staff. The team will come together to honour Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Final selections will be made in early August.

Total athlete numbers will exceed 4,000 from 71 countries and will compete in 17 sports.


- ends -

New Zealand Netball team is:

Liana Barrett-Chase
Leana de Bruin
Temepara George (vice-captain)
Katrina Grant
Joline Henry
Laura Langman
Grace Rasmussen
Anna Scarlett
Maria Tutaia
Irene van Dyk
Casey Williams (captain)
Daneka Wipiiti

 

Additional Profile Information:

Casey Williams - Captain
Positions: GK, GD
Height: 1.88m
DOB: 19/6/85, Hamilton
Caps: 42 (11 as captain)
Fastnet Caps: 6
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: World Netball Series Gold Medallist 2009, Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006, World Youth Champions 2005
Silver Ferns Debut:14 November 2005 v Barbados, Kingston
National Squads: New Zealand 2004-2010 New Zealand A team 2004 NZU21 2003-2005
ANZ Championship: Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 2008-2010

Temepara George – Vice Captain
Positions: C, WA
Height: 1.70m
DOB: 23/10/75, Auckland
Caps: 70
Fastnet Caps: 6
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: Netball World Series Gold Medallist 2009, Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006, World Champions 2003.
Silver Ferns Debut:20 June 2000 v Australia
National Squads: Silver Ferns 1996, 2000-2007, 2009 - 2010NZU21 1994-1996
ANZ Championship: Mystics 2008-2010

Liana Barrett-Chase
Positions: C, WA
Height: 1.68m
DOB: 31/10/84, Taihape
Caps: 7
Fastnet Caps: 3
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: World Netball Series Gold Medallist 2009, World Youth Championship Gold Medallist 2005
Silver Ferns Debut: 26 October 2008 v Australia, Melbourne
National Squads: Silver Ferns 2008-2010, NZU21 2005
ANZ Championship: Southern Steel 2008-2010

Leana de Bruin
Positions: GD, GK
Height: 1.90m
DOB: 9/7/77, Bethlehem, South Africa
Caps: 33 (for New Zealand)
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006, World Champions 2003.
Silver Ferns Debut: February 2003, UK tour
National Squads: Silver Ferns 2002-2008, 2010
ANZ Championship: Southern Steel 2010, Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic 2009, Northern Mystics 2008.

Katrina Grant
Positions: GD, GK
Height: 1.85m
DOB: 6/5/87, Papakura
Caps: 14
Fastnet Caps: 7
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: World Netball Series Gold Medallist 2009, World Youth Championship Gold Medallist 2005
Silver Ferns Debut: 20 September 2008 v Australia, Auckland
National Squads: Silver Ferns 2008-2010, NZU21 2005
ANZ Championship: Central Pulse 2010, Southern Steel 2008-2009

Joline Henry
Positions: GD, WD
Height: 1.83m
DOB: 29/9/82, Wanganui
Caps: 40
Fastnet Caps: 7
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: World Netball Series Gold Medallist 2009, Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006.
Silver Ferns Debut: 5 July 2004 v Australia, Hamilton
National Squads: Silver Ferns 2003-2010, New Zealand A team 2000-2003, NZU21 1999-2000, 2003.
ANZ Championship: Northern Mystics 2010, Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic 2008-2009

Laura Langman
Positions: C, WA, WD
Height: 1.73m
DOB: 16/4/86, Waikato
Caps: 52
Fastnet Caps: 6
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: World Netball Series Gold Medallist 2009, Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006, World Youth Champions 2005
Silver Ferns Debut:13 March 2005, v England, Auckland
National Squads: Silver Ferns 2004-2010, NZU21 2002-2005
ANZ Championship: Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic 2008-2010

Anna Scarlett
Positions: GD, GK, WD
Height: 1.87m
DOB: 15/4/83, Westport
Caps: 39
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006, World Champions 2003
Silver Ferns Debut: 2002
National Squads: Silver Ferns 2002 – 2007

Grace Rasmussen
Positions: GA,WA
Height: 1.77m
DOB: 18/3/88, Auckland
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: World Youth Championships, Gold Medallist 2005.
National Squads: Silver Ferns Squad 2009 – 2010, NZU21 2004-2009
ANZ Championship: Northern Mystics 2008 - 2010

Maria Tutaia
Positions: GA, GS
Height: 1.88m
DOB: 18/2/87, Tokoroa
Caps: 40
Fastnet Caps: 5
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: World Netball Series Gold Medallist 2009, Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006, World Youth Champions 2005
Silver Ferns Debut:13 November 2005 v Jamaica, Kingston
National Squads: Silver Ferns 2005-2010,NZU21 2004-2005
Silver Ferns Shooting Stats:642/794, 81%
ANZ Championship: Northern Mystics 2010, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, 2008-2009


Daneka Wipiiti
Positions: GS
Height: 1.94m
DOB: 8/12/82, Hamilton
Caps: 8
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights: Commonwealth Games Silver Medal 2002
Silver Ferns Debut:22 June 2002 v Barbados, Invercargill
National Squads: Silver Ferns 2002, 2008
Silver Ferns Shooting Stats:185/268, 69%
ANZ Championship: Southern Steel 2008-2010

Irene van Dyk
Positions: GS,GA
Height: 1.90m
DOB: 21/6/72, Vereeniging, South Africa
Caps: 103 (for New Zealand)
Fastnet Caps: 6
PLAYING HISTORY
Career Highlights:World Netball Series Gold Medallist 2009, Commonwealth Games
Gold Medallist 2006,World Champions 2003
Silver Ferns Debut:20 June 2000 v Australia, Brisbane
National Squads:Silver Ferns Squad 2000-2010South Africa 1994-2000
Silver Ferns Shooting Stats:3725/4118, 90%
ANZ Championship:Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic 2008-2010