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Silver Ferns end long wait for Commonwealth Games gold
Joanna Guelas, AAP • August 3rd, 2026 2:50 am
The Silver Ferns celebrate their gold medal win in Glasgow | Photo: Jayne Russell/Photosport
Jamaica have fallen short of pulling off another epic Commonwealth Games upset, with New Zealand soaring to a 56-48 victory to win gold in Glasgow.
Undefeated in seven games, the Silver Ferns end their 16-year title drought after arch-rivals Australia were taken out by Jamaica in a major semi-final upset.
The world No. 4 Sunshine Girls finish back-to-back runners-up, meaning their search for a maiden gold medal - from when the sport was introduced at Kuala Lumpur in 1998 - will extend to 32 years come the next edition of the Games.
New Zealand won their first netball gold medal since the 2010 Delhi Games after arriving in Glasgow amid fears they could soon be unemployed, with domestic league ANZ Premiership reportedly close to collapsing.
Kate and Georgia Heffernan admiring their Commonwealth Games gold medals | Photo: Jayne Russell/Photosport
Their long-time coach, Dame Noeline Taurua, has also navigated tough times, stood down for nearly two months in late 2025 following player complaints about her communication style.
Asked if she thought she would be leading New Zealand to gold after being reinstated, Taurua laughed: "Yeah."
New Zealand were made to fight for gold with one player down, after highly-rated defender Catherine Hall ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during their pool victory over Wales.
Kiwi captain and Sunshine Coast Lightning star Karin Burger led with her actions as goal defence, while goalkeeper Kelly Jackson kept Jamaican veteran Romelda Aiken-George at bay.
And in a gripping Super Netball showdown, NSW Swifts sharpshooter Grace Nweke seemed to be barely bothered by formidable Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and fired off 48 goals from 54 attempts.
Grace Nweke | Photo: Jayne Russell/Photosport
"That's a great tick-off for us and something that we don't take lightly," Taurua said.
"And then to actually be in this position, it's like 16 years between drinks, so, you know, it's a long time.
"There's still a lot happening back home (with the ANZ Premiership), and there are things that need to be sorted out.
"We'll celebrate this day, and then we'll wrap our arms around and support players and staff as they need to."
The Silver Ferns' triumph is their third gold medal, putting them one behind four-time Commonwealth Games champions Australia.
The Kiwis had been absent from the past two finals since finishing runners-up in 2014, the world No. 2 settling for fourth in 2018 and bronze in 2022.
Sunday's final was the second time the Silver Ferns had beaten Jamaica in the tournament, after a 53-48 triumph in the pool stage.
