With their domestic leagues wrapped up for the year and the Commonwealth Games complete, the stars of trans-Tasman netball are preparing for a run of exciting international fixtures. The Australian Diamonds and the New Zealand Silver Ferns, for decades the dominant forces in global netball, have each scheduled several series for the southern hemisphere’s spring season.
First up, the Silver Ferns will face the Jamaica Sunshine Girls in the Cadbury Netball Series. The Jamaican team is consistently ranked in the top 5 international squads in the world, and recently won the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. This 3-match contest will see the Sunshine Girls play in locations across New Zealand, beginning with 2 games at the Globox Arena in Hamilton on 17 and 18 September. Tickets are available for these matches from NZD $33 (USD $20) for adults or NZD $17 (USD $11) for children aged 15 and under, with family packages also on offer for groups of 2 adults and 2 children. The final event of the series will take place at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, where tickets start at NZD $32 (USD $20) for adults and NZD $17 (USD $10) for children.
The Silver Ferns will not have long to rest after facing Jamaica, as the Constellation Cup is scheduled to begin on 12 October. This competition has run since 2010, pitting New Zealand against Australia in a series of test matches hosted across both countries. This year, for the first time ever, the opening match at the Spark Arena in Auckland will see the Australia and New Zealand men’s teams play a special curtain-raiser before the women step onto the court. Tickets are on sale from NZD $60 (USD $37) for adults or NZD $20 (USD $12) for children. The second Constellation Cup match hosted in New Zealand will take place on 16 October at the Trustpower Arena in Tauranga, before the 2 teams head to Australia for the remaining games. On 19 October, they will play at the John Cain Arena in Melbourne Park, with another men’s match opening the show. The final game of the series is set for 23 October at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, where tickets start at AUD $46 (USD $32) for adults or AUD $21 (USD $14) for children. Will the Australian Diamonds win their tenth Constellation Cup, or can New Zealand repeat their 2021 feat and take home the trophy for a third time?
Australia loves netball, but after years of disruption and cancellations, it has been over 1000 days since the Diamonds last played a test match on home soil. This year, after a long wait, Aussie fans are in for a treat, as the national team is set to follow up the Constellation Cup with 3 home matches against England. The first is scheduled for 26 October at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, after which the Diamonds and the England Roses will head to Sydney on 30 October and finally to Brisbane on 3 November. The Sydney match, hosted at the Qudos Bank Arena, will feature the third men’s curtain-raiser, with the Australian and English men’s teams showcasing their skills for the crowd. Tickets are available for all 3 matches, with prices beginning at AUD $46 (USD $32) for adults and AUD $31 (USD $21) for children.
Get your tickets now for these spectacles of elite international netball!