Nweke cleared to compete
The Silver Ferns received a boost for the Commonwealth Games with prolific shooter Grace Nweke gaining medical clearance.
Nweke suffered an ankle injury late in the ANZ Premiership season for the Mystics on May 14 against the Tactix. The injury ruled her out for three weeks before she returned for the elimination final loss to the Stars.
The 20-year-old was named in the Ferns’ 12-player squad for the Games in Birmingham, but had to prove her fitness before July 13 to head away with the team.
Netball New Zealand confirmed via Twitter yesterday that Nweke had completed her return to play protocols and gained medical clearance to feature at the Games.
She will line up for the Ferns in next week’s Cadbury Series Commonwealth Games warmup tournament at Auckland’s Pulman Arena, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday. The Ferns take on the New Zealand men, New Zealand A and a mixed invitational side.
Nweke, who has played four tests, debuting against England in September, will compete for the Ferns’ starting goal shoot bib with Maia Wilson at the Games. Te Paea SelbyRickit and Bailey Mes are other options, but will likely be used at goal attack.
Nweke was again a force in the shooting end for the Mystics this season, racking up the goals and proving tough to stop for opposition defences.
Despite missing four games, she still finished with the fourth most goals in the competition, landing 545 at 92%.
Without Nweke, the Mystics lost all four of their final round games and were then knocked out in the elimination final against crosstown rivals, the Stars.
The Silver Ferns’ opening Commonwealth Games match is against Northern Ireland on July 29.