'We've been to hell and back': Silver Ferns on importance of Commonwealth Games gold amid netball's dire state

The Silver Ferns have emphasised the importance of their Commonwealth Games title amid a dire situation for professional netball in New Zealand.

The team topped the podium for the first time since 2010 after trumping Jamaica 56-48 in the final early on Monday morning (NZT) in Glasgow.

It caps off a remarkable turnaround from 11 months ago, when coach Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down by Netball New Zealand and 51 days of chaos ensued. The players were ridiculed by a Kiwi public rushing to the defence of their beloved coach, while the governing body provided zero clarity about the situation.

The athletes have also dealt with three consecutive years of uncertainty around the future of the ANZ Premiership, which remains unresolved.

There is currently no confirmed domestic competition for next year, and Netball New Zealand board chair Alastair Carruthers last month encouraged any player with a solid overseas option to take it.

The precarious situation has arisen despite record viewership and engagement numbers since moving the ANZ Premiership to free-to-air television with TVNZ.

The Silver Ferns were the only side to go unbeaten at the Commonwealth Games. Photo / Photosport

As revealed by the Herald, New Zealand’s domestic competition recorded an average audience of 51,800 and over 120,000 individual viewers watched the grand final. The competition attracted over a million unique viewers and boasted 52.2 million social media impressions.

Ferns skipper Karin Burger, who took the reins during last year’s turmoil, said their Commonwealth Games campaign was a great advertisement for the sport.

“Really excited we were able to show the rest of the world what netball and New Zealand netball is capable of. We are putting our hand up to show a really good product, and considering where we’ve come from and what netball looks like at the moment in New Zealand, it’s really important for us to show we are still a very quality product.”

Defenders Karin Burger (left) and Kelly Jackson celebrate after another gutsy, physical display. Photo / Photosport

Burger said the performance is a testament to what the Ferns went through last year.

“As many downs as we’ve had, I think that’s really made this group very resilient. The way we played out there has a lot to do with the fact we’ve been able to grow quite close throughout the time.

“The majority of this group have been together for a while now. When there’s a lead steering the boat really well, there’s a really good vision ahead and a plan put in place by our bigger management group, and how we were going to achieve that, it was up to us girls to come in and follow that plan to a T, and it really showed the plan was solid.”

Speaking after the game on Sky Sport, defender Kelly Jackson said the effort took plenty of blood, sweat and tears.

“We’ve been to hell and back, but I think that’s really galvanised this team. We came out this week and really showed what we’re made of.

“I think we were probably underestimated by a lot of people, but man, it just feels so good. We’ve got so much pride in this dress and to give some positivity to the sport that’s in a pretty tough place at the moment, it’s pretty cool.”

Shooter Grace Nweke was in tears as she stood atop the podium listening to God Defend New Zealand.

The 24-year-old was the first Silver Fern to jump ship to Australia’s Super Netball with the New South Wales Swifts, which at the time made her ineligible to represent New Zealand at test level.

Grace Nweke admits she never thought she would experience winning Commonwealth Games gold. Photo / Photosport

That courageous move turned Nweke into a trailblazer. It eventually led to a change in eligibility criteria, as a smattering of Ferns followed her abroad last year.

Nweke said it has taken a lot to get to this point.

“Not just the last 12 months, but the past four years since the last Commonwealth Games. It’s a moment I never thought I’d be able to experience in my career.

“To share it with all the girls is just so special. The group we have and the work we’ve done so far has been second to none, and we’re just so proud.”

2026 marked Jackson’s third Commonwealth Games, having been part of the New Zealand sides who finished fourth in 2018 and third in 2022.

“Third time lucky, I guess,” Jackson said. “It’s been a long journey and I’m super lucky to be in this position. I remember watching the 2010 grand final, the last time they won a gold medal, back in high school, in the hostel.

“To think that 16 years later I’d be pulling on the next gold medal, it’s pretty surreal, and it’s going to take a while to sink in.”

Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.