Some of the world’s best netballers will be in action in Invercargill next weekend (4-7 Feb), as three teams commence their preseason build-ups.

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel will host Australian franchise the New South Wales Swifts and the ANZ Premiership defending champions Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse at ILT Stadium Southland. 

The Swifts team features Australian Diamonds players Paige Hadley, Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau and England Roses shooter Helen Housby.

Former Jamaican superstar Romelda Aiken adds a towering presence to the mix, while former Diamonds midcourter Maddy Proud injects a wealth of netball nous. 

Rising stars include Sophie Fawns, Tayla Fraser, Lili Gorman Brown, Kelea Longi, Chelsea Mann and a 12th player yet to be named. 

Silver Ferns in action will include Steel’s Kate Heffernan, who was named midcourter of the tournament at the recent Quad Series in South Africa, and Pulse players Whitney Souness, Maddy Gordon and Kelly Jury.

Boasting a combined total of eight respective premierships to their credit since the clubs first crossed paths in the trans-Tasman Championship in 2008 (three for Swifts and Pulse and two for Steel), the trio will undoubtedly deliver a netball showdown of the highest calibre.

Swifts head coach Briony Akle was eagerly-anticipating the encounters ahead.

“Since playing in the Trans-Tasman Championship, the Swifts have a long and cherished rivalry with the New Zealand teams who played in that competition, and the chance to go toe-to-toe with them again is something that really excites our squad,” she said.

“Some of our senior players like Paige Hadley, Maddy Proud and Maddy Turner made their elite debuts in the Trans-Tasman league, and the last time the Swifts played the Steel in Sydney in 2016 it turned out to be a thrilling draw with both teams in the running for the title that year."

“As you can see from the Quad Series, the rivalry and respect between Australia and New Zealand remains as strong as ever and there aren’t many more testing places to go than Invercargill, so that’s why we’ll bring our strongest team available to face the Steel and Pulse.”

Akle said it was crucial the Swifts had the opportunity to tackle a variety of challenges on the court as it builds towards a successful Suncorp Super Netball campaign.

“We are always looking to evolve and develop our game and exposure to different styles of netball is essential. As 2022 proved, the margins between success and disappointment are tiny so this trip will provide us with vital learning opportunities as well as top-class competition,” she said.

“I know our senior internationals like Paigey, Turner, Proud, Sarah Klau, Helen Housby and Romelda Aiken-George love testing themselves across the ditch so we’re looking forward to a big crowd in some of the world’s best netty fans.”

Match tickets are now on sale online via www.southernsteel.co.nz.