Netball: Diamonds sign Scarlett from Otago

Anna Scarlett shows her class. Picture / Fotopress

Silver Ferns' defender Anna Scarlett has signed a two-year contract with the Auckland Waitakere Diamonds.

Scarlett, who also represents New Zealand in beach volleyball, has been a key member of the Dunedin-based Otago Rebels for the past four years, but with her physiotherapy degree all but complete she has decided to move to Auckland.

"I needed a change in life," Scarlett said.

"There are more reasons than netball for the shift to Auckland. There are opportunities in volleyball, work, as well as the netball.

"It's hard to leave. I'm very loyal and appreciative of the netball and the people in Dunedin."

The country's eight National Bank Cup franchises must submit squads of up to 18 to Netball New Zealand in early November. They have until the end of January to decide on their final teams of 12.

For the Diamonds, Scarlett will fill the void left by former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams, who has retired.

She will add a bit more height to their defensive unit, which is also expected to include New Zealand under-21 player Rachel Rasmussen, and Stephanie Bond.

The loss will be a huge blow to the Rebels, who lost Bond to the Diamonds late last year.

"It will be good to be back with Steph. I spoke to her and asked her how she felt about playing with me again," said Scarlett, who hopes to move to Auckland in January.

The Diamonds, who were semifinalists in this year's competition, are hopeful of re-signing all of last year's team apart from Harby-Williams and shooter Carron Jerram, who has also retired.

While they have already obtained the signature of Silver Ferns' shooter Jodi Te Huna, a blank space still remains on the contracts of midcourters Anna Rowberry and Victoria Edward, who are holidaying in Europe.

If the pair do not make the Silver Ferns for next year's Commonwealth Games, it is possible they may contemplate retirement.

While there has been some speculation over Silver Fern goal attack Anna Senio, the champion Waikato Bay of Plenty side are also understood to have re-signed all their players.

It has been reported that Senio's husband, rugby halfback Kevin, is being pursued by the Canterbury Rugby Union and the pair are considering a move south.

However, Magic board chairwoman Jos McEntee said as far as she knows the franchise has re-signed everyone.