Silver Ferns - Definition and Overview

The Silver Ferns is the national netball team of New Zealand.

The Silver Ferns was named after the silver fern (Cyathea dealbata) tree. The international success of the team is second only to the Australian national netball team. Since the IFNA Netball World Championships began in 1963 the Silver Ferns have placed in the top three each time; they have placed first in 1967 (Perth), 1987 (Glasgow), and 2003 (Kingston), and first equal with Australia and Trinidad and Tobago in 1979 (Port of Spain).

The Silver Ferns also received a silver medal in the 1998 Commonwealth Games (Kuala Lumpur) and 2002 Commonwealth Games (Manchester).

As of 2003, the Silver Ferns are the highest ranking team on the IFNA World Rankings.

Some notable players in the Silver Ferns:

• Irene van Dyk