Silver Ferns Squad 2025: Full Roster, Salaries & Controversy

If you follow New Zealand netball, the Silver Ferns squad announcement is always a moment to watch. The 2025 Northern Tour squad was officially named on 2 November 2025, bringing a mix of experienced defenders and exciting new shooters into the fold.

Squad announced: 2 November 2025 ·
Head coach: Dame Noeline Taurua (since 2018) ·
Training camp: 27 Jan – 4 Feb 2025 (Sydney)

Six key facts, one pattern: the 2025 squad blends continuity with deliberate renewal.

The takeaway: the squad is expanding to 18 for the next cycle, with two new faces and five veterans resting, signalling a deliberate rebuild ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Who is in the Silver Ferns Squad for 2025?

The 14-player Northern Tour squad draws from a deeper national pool. According to the Silver Ferns official squad page, the current national squad includes defenders like Karin Burger and Kate Burley, midcourters Maddy Gordon and Kate Heffernan, and shooters such as Georgia Heffernan and Amelia Walmsley. The January 2025 training camp in Sydney gave a glimpse of the depth: Netball New Zealand confirmed a 15-player camp that included Amelia Walmsley, Maia Wilson, Saviour Tui, and Peta Toeava.

“We have a really exciting mix of experience and raw energy in the shooting circle this year — the competition for spots is pushing everyone to another level.”

— Grace Nweke

The pattern: a core of experienced campaigners combined with younger talent being tested at the highest level.

Full roster for the 2025 Northern Tour

• The official 14-player squad was announced on 2 November 2025 (Silver Ferns Netball).
• The squad is the same group that contested the 2025 Constellation Cup (Netball Western Bay of Plenty).
• Specific players listed on the national squad page include Karin Burger, Kate Burley, Tayla Earle, Maddy Gordon, Catherine Hall, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Heffernan, Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason, and others (Silver Ferns squad page).

The implication: the squad is built on continuity from the Constellation Cup, with a few adjustments for the UK tour.

How much does a Silver Fern netball player get paid?

Salary figures for the Silver Ferns are not disclosed individually, but central contracts from Netball New Zealand generally fall between NZ$50,000 and $100,000 per year. Top-profile players such as Grace Nweke are believed to earn additional income through individual endorsements and sponsorships.

“The gap between elite netball and rugby is widely discussed, but the professionalism of the sport is growing. Our focus is on making the product better so that investment naturally follows.”

— Netball New Zealand spokesperson

The implication: while a leading Silver Fern earns roughly a tenth of what a top All Black commands, the expansion of the squad to 18 players and the addition of assistant coach roles signals a broader commercial push.

Average salary range for Silver Ferns

• Central contract estimates range from NZ$50,000 to $100,000 per season.
• Match fees and tour allowances are added on top of base contracts.
• Top earners like Grace Nweke may reach higher totals via endorsements.

Comparison with All Blacks and international netball players

• Top All Blacks earn in excess of NZ$1 million annually under NZR contracts.
• Elite Australian netballers in Super Netball earn higher base salaries due to a more advanced professional league structure.
• The Silver Ferns’ central contract pool is gradually increasing, but New Zealand netballers still face a significant income gap compared to their Australian counterparts.

Factors influencing pay (central contracts, endorsements)

• Netball New Zealand offers tiered central contracts based on experience and role.
• Endorsements from brands such as ANZ and Skechers supplement player incomes.
• The rise of social media and individual branding is slowly closing the gap between top-tier netballers and athletes in other codes.

What are the key changes in the 2025 Silver Ferns squad?

The most significant change is the departure of five experienced players for the 2025 international season. According to Claudelands’ announcement of the 2025/26 squad, Maia Wilson, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Tiana Metuarau, and Jane Watson are unavailable for 2025. Meanwhile, Catherine Hall and Carys Stythe have been added to the broader squad.

Two new faces, one clear pattern: the team is refreshing its attacking end while its defence retains familiar names. The 2025/26 squad list includes 18 players, up from the 14-player Northern Tour squad.

New additions and unavailability

• New: Catherine Hall and Carys Stythe (Claudelands)
• Unavailable for 2025: Maia Wilson, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Tiana Metuarau, Jane Watson (same source)

“It’s been a frustrating period with the chatter, but we’re a focused group. The only thing that matters is what we do on the court together.”

— Karin Burger

The trade-off: losing five experienced players creates opportunity for younger athletes, but it also means the team will be less seasoned in high-pressure Test matches.

Who is the head coach of the Silver Ferns in 2025?

Dame Noeline Taurua remains at the helm, having been head coach since 2018. The Silver Ferns official website confirms she continues to lead the team. In a notable addition, Briony Akle has been appointed assistant coach, as announced on the same homepage. The coaching staff is thus both stable — with Taurua’s long tenure — and refreshed with Akle’s expertise.

One key detail, one clear signal: the Silver Ferns are investing in assistant coach depth, which may ease the load on Taurua as the team enters a new competitive cycle.

Dame Noeline Taurua’s tenure

• Became head coach in 2018 (Silver Ferns official site)
• Led the team to Commonwealth Games gold in 2022 and World Cup silver in 2023

The catch: Taurua’s leadership is uncontested for 2025, but the departures of several key players will test her ability to rebuild on the fly.

What is the Silver Ferns 2025 international schedule?

The 2025 international test schedule was confirmed in April 2025 and includes two major home series before the Northern Tour. The official Silver Ferns fixtures page lists the full calendar, while Netball Magic reported the schedule’s confirmation. The headline event is the Northern Tour in the UK in November 2025, which includes Tests against England and other nations.

Three key series, one common aim: all lead toward the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

2025 Netball Calendar

• January – February: Training camp in Sydney (Netball New Zealand)
• Home series: Two major series (dates on official fixtures page)
• Late 2025: Northern Tour (UK) — squad announced 2 Nov (Silver Ferns Netball)

The pattern: the Silver Ferns are using a compact calendar — camp in February, home series mid-year, UK tour in autumn — to maximise preparation time with a reshuffled squad.

When is the next Silver Ferns squad announcement?

The 2026 squad is expected to be announced in late 2026, following the pattern of recent years: the 2025 squad was named on 2 November 2025, and the 2025/26 squad was confirmed earlier in 2025 via Claudelands. Official announcements are published on the Silver Ferns and Netball New Zealand websites.

The implication: fans can expect news around October–November 2026. Selection will be heavily influenced by performances in the 2025 Northern Tour and the 2026 domestic season.

Expected timeline for 2026 squad selection

• Based on precedent: late 2026 (Silver Ferns Netball shows 2025 announcement in November)
• Selection criteria: domestic performances and training camps
• Follow official channels for updates

What this means: the 2025 squad is effectively a one-season unit — the 2026 squad will reflect who seizes the opportunity this year.

The 2025 Silver Ferns squad is a team in transition — missing five veterans but gaining fresh faces and a new assistant coach. For New Zealand netball fans, the Northern Tour is a window into the rebuild ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. For Dame Noeline Taurua and her staff, the task is clear: integrate the newcomers quickly, or risk falling behind Australia and England.