Silver Ferns targeting November home tests

Jennie Wyllie
Jennie Wyllie
The Silver Ferns are targeting a home test series against top netball nations in November.

The government's decision to relax quarantine requirements for the Wallabies so they can play tests against the All Blacks in October has boosted the Silver Ferns hopes of hosting matches in New Zealand.

"We're in discussions with both Australia and England and we are looking at other international options around a test series for the Silver Ferns going into November so there are a couple of options on the table for us," Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie said.

"Our number one priority is to be able to have our world champion Silver Ferns play at home in front of New Zealand fans and that is our preferred scenario and we'd love to play the top teams in the world as well, but being at home on our own soil is certainly something we are putting first and foremost."

A travelling netball squad is smaller than a 45-man touring rugby team, so Wyllie said NNZ had been in discussions with the New Zealand Government around visiting teams requirements for quarantine and training.

"We're hoping in the next few weeks we'll get a better idea around the protocols and the processes and to be able to work through what that means for any incoming teams so I think in the next few weeks we'll have better clarity around whether we are going to play any international netball this year."

Despite the desire for home games, Wyllie has not ruled out the Silver Ferns playing offshore before the end of the year.

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