Netball Test Match for Cairns

PETER MCCULLAGH

INTERNATIONAL netball comes to Cairns when the Australian Diamonds battle the current World Champions the Silver Ferns from New Zealand.

The Cairns test match is part of the 4 match Constellation Cup, being staged in October in Brisbane, Cairns and Wellington.

The Diamonds will host the Silver Ferns in Brisbane for Game 1 before flying to Cairns for Game 2 at the Cairns Convention Centre on Sunday October 17.

This will be the first time the Diamonds have played a test match in Cairns.

The series final will be in Wellington on Sunday October 24.

In the netball world the Constellation Cup is one of the most coveted trophies for Australia. This series will be the 12th Constellation Cup.

When these two teams last met the Silver Ferns reclaimed the Cup for the first time in eight years, winning the series 3-1.

All four matches were closed to the public due to COVID restrictions, but crowds are eager to return and see the world’s best netballers in action.

Heather McLean, president of Marlin Coast Netball, cannot wait to see these international athletes in action.

“It’s wonderful to see a test match here in Cairns. For our local girls to see just how fast the game is as well as how physical it is at that level will be a great thing.

“This will give our local teams a tremendous boost, and we see it here in Cairns, its tremendous,” she said.

Australian Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovick was delighted to announce the series would be played in Australia before moving to New Zealand through the Trans-Tasman travel bubble.

“It’s fantastic to have international netball return to Australia,” Marinkovich said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said he was delighted to have international netball return to Cairns after successfully hosting Suncorp Super Netball League matches in 2020.

“It will be the first international sporting event to be held at the newly refurbished Cairns Convention Centre,” Olsen said.

“The Constellation Cup adds to the growing number of national sporting events and training camps, including the current Australian Dolphins Swim Team camp, being held in Cairns.

Tickets for the 2021 Constellation Cup will go on sale at 10am Tuesday July 27 via www.ticketlink.com.au