Netball: Silver Ferns announce 2009 schedule

New Zealand will play three netball tests against an invitation world team in August followed by five tests split into two series against Australia.

In a bumper 2009 schedule announcedby Netball New Zealand, the Silver Ferns will face a challenging series against a world team comprising players from Jamaica, Africa, England, Australia and Samoa.

The tests will be in Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland.

The Silver Ferns will then play three tests against Australia in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in September, followed by a home trans-Tasman series comprising two tests in Invercargill and Auckland.

NNZ chief executive Raelene Castle said she was delighted to secure eight quality internationals for 2009.

"This is a really important year for the Silver Ferns as they build towards the 2010 Commonwealth Games and we want the Silver Ferns team and squad to get as much competitive international match play as possible," Castle said.

Schedule:

Aug 24: v invitation world team, Wellington, 7.30pm

Aug 26: v invitation world team, Rotorua, 7.30pm

Aug 29: v invitation world team, Auckland, 7.30pm

Sept 6: v Australia, Sydney, 2.25pm (NZ time)

Sept 9: v Australia, Melbourne, 9.55pm (NZ time)

Sept 13: v Australia, Brisbane, 6.25pm (NZ time)

Sept 20: v Australia, Invercargill, 4pm

Sept 23: v Australia, Auckland, 7.30pm

- NZPA