Super Netball success sparks exodus of big-name talent from New Zealand
THE success of Super Netball is sparking an exodus of New Zealand talent to Australian shores for the 2018 competition.
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THE success of Super Netball is sparking an exodus of New Zealand talent to Australian shores for the 2018 competition, potentially jeopardising the countries status as the No.2 team in the world.
A trio of former Silver Ferns players will play in the Australian-based Super Netball competition in 2018 in a worrisome talent drain from the New Zealand competition.
While the stars of other international teams are free to compete in the eight-team Australian competition, Netball New Zealand has banned any player bidding to be a Silver Fern from playing.
ANOTHER MUM FOR SUPER NETBALL 2018
But now a wealth of experience is heading to the successful Super Netball competition in 2018 in a move which significantly weakens the New Zealand domestic competition producing the world No.2 ranked netball team.
World-class midcourter Laura Langman has re-signed with Sunshine Coast Lightning for 2018, a move which has technically ruled the New Zealand star ineligible to play for the Ferns at next year’s Commonwealth Games.
It is a loss which could have a major effect on the New Zealander at the tournament where they hope to regain the Commonwealth Games crown from Australia.
Former Silver Fern Leana de Bruin, a 138 cap veteran, is another player to leave the New Zealand competition, signing on with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Joining her will be a third former New Zealand representative in shooter Catherine Tuivaiti, another prized signature for the Thunderbirds.
NEW DIAMONDS: WHO IS IN, WHO IS OUT?
And in a further blow for the New Zealand competition, Jamaican shooting superstar Jhaniele Fowler-Reid is also to cross the Tasman as the West Coast Fever’s latest recruit.
Fowler-Reid was one of the New Zealand competitions major drawcards and shooting with a 90 per cent plus strike rate.
New Zealand coach Noeline Taurua is also working in Super Netball as the boss of Lightning.
The loss of four such talented and experienced players is expected to have significant ramifications to the quality of the New Zealand domestic league - the competition which produces Silver Ferns.
In contrast, the unlimited imports rule in Super Netball means Australian netballers are matching up weekly against the best players in the world - with the exception of Silver Ferns players.
Australian coach Lisa Alexander has previously said she expects England, in particular, to show improvement due to the exposure of a number of their players to regular top-level netball.
English players in the league include defender Geva Mentor, shooter Jo Harten and midcourter Serena Guthrie.
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