The Sydney Sirens' hopes of hitting the ground running have been boosted after New Zealand sharpshooter Grace Nweke joined from their cross-town rivals, while the Kiwi influx into Super Netball has continued.
Fresh off the Silver Ferns winning Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow, Nweke made the bombshell decision to move from the NSW Swifts to the newly rebranded Sirens on a three-year deal.
It's a huge coup for the club, formerly known as the Giants, who were looking to make their first big signing since the Sports Entertainment Group took over ownership.
Nweke is set to play a key role in the team since announcing herself as one of the competition's marquee players, as the Sirens also aim to bounce back from a horror season where they claimed just one win.
"Once we (Silver Ferns) finished celebrating (Commonwealth Games gold), it was pretty much straight on the phone with my manager trying to make these big decisions while we were in different time zones and had different flights to catch," Nweke told SEN Radio.
"(It was a) huge roller-coaster, but I'm just happy to be finding the dotted line and am really content with my decision.
"It is well and truly the best league in the world, and it's attracting players from across the globe. There's more Kiwis coming over than ever before."
Nweke started the Kiwi influx ahead of Super Netball's 2025 season, and soon after Netball New Zealand relaxed their rules, seeing a flurry of talent including Kelly Jackson, Karin Burger and Maddy Gordon move across the ditch.
The Melbourne Vixens announced on Thursday that two more Kiwi imports will join the competition, which will raise further questions on whether the domestic league is giving rival countries a leg-up instead of fostering local talent after the Diamonds' bronze medal at the Glasgow Games.
Midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan completed her move away from the ANZ Premiership as that league remains in limbo, with reports emerging that it is struggling to find a broadcaster.
Her signing follows attacker Amelia Walmsley, who joined the club as she continues her rapid rise, which earned her a call-up for the Commonwealth Games.
“I’m so grateful for this incredible opportunity,” Walmsley said in a statement.
"I know I’m going to be challenged in ways I’ve never been challenged before, and I’m really looking forward to embracing that.
"I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can contribute to the Vixens and, ultimately, what we can achieve together.”
With the transfer window closing on Friday, the Adelaide Thunderbirds have re-signed South African sharpshooter Elmeré van der Berg for two years after a stellar season in which she broke club goal-scoring records and helped the team claim the premiership.
