A further three Silver Ferns have confirmed they will be playing netball in Australia’s domestic league next year, with Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Amelia Walmsley earning maiden contracts.
Meanwhile, Silver Fern Grace Nweke has signed a deal with the new-look Sydney Sirens, which will lock her into the Australian league for the next three years.
New Zealand’s leading netballers are heading offshore in unprecedented numbers as the future of the country’s elite domestic competition remains uncertain.
Read more: New Zealand netball exodus: Tracking every player heading overseas for 2027
A record 11 New Zealand players have so far been confirmed for the 2027 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition – nine are current Silver Ferns. Five top players have also inked deals in the UK, including some of New Zealand’s brightest young talent.
Securing Nweke’s signature for three years is a major coup for the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) club, formerly known as the Giants, who have new owners at the helm.
Nweke spent her first two seasons at crosstown rivals the NSW Swifts, but said the opportunity to help shape the future of the Sydney Sirens was a major factor in her decision.
“The ambition of the organisation was really exciting, and I wanted to be part of that journey. Being able to help shape a club’s identity and culture in its early years is a unique opportunity. I’m in it for the long haul and feel so excited to be involved in this new chapter as part of the inaugural Sirens squad.
“I’ve fallen in love with Sydney over the past two seasons, and I’m excited to continue to build a life in this amazing city with a club that has such a bold vision for the future,” Nweke said.
Sydney Sirens head coach Nerida Stewart said locking in one of the biggest names in world netball was a defining moment for the club.
“Grace is one of the premier athletes in world netball… she’s a proven match-winner, a world-class competitor and someone capable of changing a game in an instant.
“She’s become one of the most influential players in the competition and someone opposition teams must plan for every single week,” Stewart said.
Nweke, who was the highest goal-scorer at the recent Commonwealth Games, will partner with Australian Diamonds’ shooter Sophie Dwyer in the Sydney Sirens’ inaugural roster.
Melbourne Vixens recruit three Silver Ferns
Silver Fern Mila Reuelu-Buchanan.
Jayne Russell / Photosport
Also on Thursday, the Melbourne Vixens announced that Silver Fern shooter Amelia Walmsley was joining the club, who finished runners-up this year.
And as revealed by RNZ, Silver Fern midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan will ply her trade in the SSN next year, with the Vixens confirming the midcourter’s signing today.
The Vixens now have a trio of Kiwis on their 2027 roster after Silver Fern Carys Stythe was added to their defensive end earlier this week.
Reuelu-Buchanan has played nine seasons of ANZ Premiership netball, eight of those at the Stars, who she captained this year.
Reuelu-Buchanan’s stocks rose at the recent Commonwealth Games, where the Silver Ferns won gold in Glasgow. The 28-year-old demonstrated her versatility in the midcourt by taking on the wing defence bib for the first time.
Vixens head coach Di Honey said Reuelu-Buchanan was a quality international midcourter, who would bring a different style.
“She has performed strongly in New Zealand’s domestic competition and on the international stage, and we believe her competitiveness and versatility will be a great fit for us,” Honey said.
Reuelu-Buchanan said stepping into the world’s toughest domestic competition was a challenge she was ready to embrace.
“When the opportunity came up, it was a no brainer for me and my family. I know I’m stepping into an environment that will challenge me, help me grow and allow me to learn from some incredible players, coaches and people,” Reuelu-Buchanan said.
Last month Reuelu-Buchanan told RNZ that she could not be confident that there would be a professional domestic league in New Zealand in 2027.
“It makes me sad that I can’t confidently say yes. I’m confident that something’s going to happen, I don’t know what that looks like and playing for New Zealand is the ultimate honour but the Silver Ferns don’t exist without the pathways beneath them,” Reuelu-Buchanan said at the time.
Walmsley, who also played at the Stars this year, said leaving the South Auckland based side was something she never imagined she would be doing so soon.
“It’s time for a new challenge, and to continue to learn and grow. It’s not a goodbye, hopefully a see you later,” she posted on social media.
Walmsley is the main understudy to Silver Fern strike shooter Grace Nweke but the 18-Test cap international has also started to develop her game at goal attack.
The 22-year-old will join a world class Vixens shooting end that boasts the Australian Diamonds starting combination of Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin.
Nweke’s decision to play in the SSN league helped pave the way for other Silver Ferns stars to explore opportunities in Australia.
It essentially forced Netball NZ to revisit its strict selection policy when she joined the Swifts in 2025.
The national body recently scrapped any restrictions around New Zealand players competing overseas, given it could not provide any guarantees that there will be an elite domestic competition next year.