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'The NBA of netball': Silver Ferns flock to Aussie as 'Fireferns' take shape
Kieran Bingham • August 19th, 2025 3:13 pm
Queensland Firebirds head coach Kiri Wills | Photo: Photosport
After a tough first season in charge of the Queensland Firebirds, Kiri Wills is wasting no time in reshaping the team.
The former Northern Stars coach managed just two wins from 14 games but has now signed three Silver Ferns - Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maddy Gordon and Kelly Jackson for 2026.
The trio’s arrival has already earned the club a new nickname: the Fireferns.
Wills says the need for experience in her side was obvious from day one.
"Sometimes we're lining up with 250 caps combined, and you're standing next to someone who has 250 on their own. I was always on the hunt for international experience, and I’m really happy with Kelly, Maddy and Te Paea."
She spoke to players around the world, but knew the quality she was after was back home in New Zealand.
"I talked to English Roses, Jamaicans, African nations, but the quality I wanted was in the Silver Ferns. Every player I spoke to wanted to come over."
Seven Ferns have now signed with Australian clubs, including Grace Nweke in late 2024. Many more are expected as Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Whitney Souness have both been announced to be leaving their New Zealand clubs respectively.
The Magic revealed via social media that Ekenasio will not return for the 2026 season | Photo: Photosport
Wills believes the shift has been coming for some time.
"We should have seen this coming. Players have wanted to play in SSN (Suncorp Super Netball) for a long time. The next phase is redefining the ANZ Premiership. It’s time to reimagine, reset and rethink what that competition looks like."
"There is an opportunity to be a great development league and nobody really wants that, but you've also got to be realistic about where things are at. I just don't see the Super Netball competition taking a step back now."
While some Australian fans have raised concerns about international players taking local spots, Wills is unapologetic about the level of competition.
"Some of the fans in Aussie are a bit concerned. 'Where are our Australian development players and where do their opportunities come?' Well, this is not a development competition. It's like the NBA of netball. Players have to be ready to go and ready to compete out on that court."
She believes development players should be looking overseas if they want real court time.
"There’s an opportunity for Aussie players to head to New Zealand or the UK. You can be a training partner here, but if you're not getting on court, you’re not developing. Court time is king.
"We're encouraging some of our players to look to ANZ teams to get in there and have a crack and grow their game and then be in contact at the end of the year, depending on how things go."
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Wills left the Stars in 2024 after seven seasons, saying the move came at the right time both personally and professionally.
"I had felt at the time that it was time for a change, not just for me, but for the franchise. When you put seven years into a team and you're not quite cracking it, I think I needed to look elsewhere.
"It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself."
She inherited a Firebirds team widely accused of having a poor culture, but was quick to focus on resetting the foundations.
"There’s still media who use that narrative as clickbait. But we’ve got players who want to be their best and want a club they can rely on. That’s why they picked me."
"My first job was to set the foundation. Let’s open it up and talk about who we want to be and how we get there."
With three Silver Ferns secured and a clear direction, Wills is leading a bold rebuild. The scoreboard may not show it yet, but the Firebirds are changing - and the Fireferns are just getting started.
Listen to the full interview below:
