Silver Fern Grace Nweke Signs Three-Year Deal with Sydney Sirens

Grace Nweke, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and prominent Silver Ferns player, has committed to a new three-year contract in Australia. She will join the Sydney Sirens, a team recently rebranded from the Giants, following two seasons with their rivals, the NSW Swifts.

Nweke's move makes her the ninth New Zealand player confirmed to participate in the 2027 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season, as many top New Zealand netballers are exploring opportunities overseas.

The Sydney Sirens described Nweke as "one of the biggest names in world netball" and among the SSN's "most dominant and influential players." Nweke herself noted that the Sirens, under new ownership and with a fresh identity, presented an "attractive fresh energy."

She added, "From my earliest conversations with the club, it was clear this wasn't simply about putting a team together. The ambition of the organisation was really exciting, and I wanted to be part of that journey." Nweke expressed enthusiasm for helping to shape the club's identity and culture, calling it a "unique opportunity" and stating, "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."

Head coach Nerida Stewart highlighted Nweke's signing as a "landmark moment for our club." Stewart praised Nweke as "a proven match-winner, a world-class competitor and someone capable of changing a game in an instant." She further commented that Nweke's impact extends beyond her on-court talent, noting that she "genuinely believes in what we're building and wants to help shape it."

This development occurs amidst ongoing discussions about the future of domestic netball in New Zealand. Netball New Zealand is currently exploring various options, including a private ownership model for the ANZ Premiership, to secure its long-term viability. The domestic competition is reportedly facing "real commercial strain," with projections of a $3.7 million loss despite strong audience engagement.