Constellation Cup: Australia to meet New Zealand in October

The four-match series between Australia and New Zealand starts at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on October 13 before continuing four days later at the Cairns Convention Centre.

The teams than cross the Tasman to complete the series with games in Auckland (October 21) and Wellington (October 24).

The Diamonds are desperate to avenge their 3-1 loss to the Silver Ferns in a March series played entirely in New Zealand.

“It’s fantastic to have international netball return to Australia,” Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich said.

“The last result was disappointing, but our new group took a number of learnings out of the series and we will continue to grow as we set our sights on bringing the Constellation Cup back to Australia.

“It has been a long time since netball fans have been able to watch live international netball in Australia, and we hope to have a huge home crowd advantage in Brisbane and Cairns.”

Marinkovich and national selectors Anne Sargeant OAM and Michelle Wilkins will name the Diamonds squad in August.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen was “delighted” international netball was returning to Cairns.

“It will be the first international sporting event to be held at the newly refurbished Cairns Convention Centre,” Olsen said.

“The Constellation Cup adds to the growing number of national sporting events and training camps, including the current Australian Dolphins swim team camp, being held in Cairns.

“Together these events demonstrate that our region has the capability to host national and international sporting events where the athletes can enjoy training and competing in a spectacular nature-based destination.”

Constellation Cup series: October 13 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre; October 17 – Cairns Convention Centre; October 21 – Spark Arena in Auckland; October 24 at TSB Arena in Wellington.