Netball NZ boss Jennie Wyllie admits her heart sank a little when she realised no fans would be allowed in to watch the long-anticipated Constellation Cup series.
A lot has changed since Australian Diamonds' Gabi Simpson played a test against the Silver Ferns more than two years ago - for a start she didn't have to quarantine in Christchurch.
There was no trophy up for grabs, but Lincoln University at least secured bragging rights by ending Technical's unbeaten Christchurch premier netball season at the perfect time.
New Zealand's most capped netballer Laura Langman will be remembered as one of the game's greats having called time on an illustrious international career with the Silver Ferns.
A decision has been made to cancel the final preliminary round of the ANZ Premiership regular season - but don't worry, the Mainland Tactix have already booked their place in the grand final.
As competition finally gets underway this weekend, there's perhaps no other netballer in the country who's endured the kind of excruciating wait that former Silver Fern Temalisi Fakahokotau has.