Written by Amelia Barnes
International men’s netball is back, with the Australian men’s team (recently rebranded as the Kelpies) preparing to face New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman Cup.
The 2023 Trans-Tasman Cup will again coincide with the Australian Diamonds’ 2023 Constellation Cup campaign against the New Zealand Silver Ferns. These matches will be held as curtain raisers before three of the four Constellation Cup tests, starting on Thursday 12 October in Melbourne.
Both the Trans-Tasman Cup and Constellation Cup series will be broadcast live and exclusively in Australia on Fox Sports, available through Foxtel and Kayo Freebies.
President of the Victorian Men's & Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) Matthew Blomeley said it was a “terrific opportunity” for the Kelpies (previously known as the Australian Sonix) to again be partnering with the Diamonds on the world stage, following the success of the first televised Trans-Tasman Cup in 2022.
Four current Victorian players will represent Australia in the 2023 series.
Those who watched last year’s Trans-Tasman Cup will be familiar with shooter Brodie Roberts – a breakout star of the 2022 series recognised for his clever play and high arching shot.
“Brodie’s arguably the most exciting goal attack in the country, if not further afield. He's creative in his play. He's accurate from anywhere… and his ability to bring others into the game is second to none,” said Blomeley.
“He can really bring excitement and unexpected passes that the defence just aren't ready for. He's constantly evolving his game and each time you watch him he's doing something slightly new.”
Roberts is joined by fellow Victorian Riley Richardson, selected in the Kelpies for a second year. The versatile athlete regularly plays across all three midcourt positions.
“He's just someone who's got energy and speed to burn… His and Brodie’s connection is just incredible – they've been playing together for years now and they just know exactly what each other is doing, which is deadly to come up against when they've already thought three moments ahead of you on court,” said Blomeley.
“Riley's certainly creative. The fact that he’s left-handed always creates something slightly different on court as well.”
Victorian Alastair Punshon will win plenty of ball back and provide pressure playing across goal keeper and goal defence.
“People know him for his aerial ability in his jump, but his ability to talk on court, and read passages ahead of time, is what makes him one of the best defenders going around. It’s one of the reasons he's gone from not just being a jumper, but a dynamic ground player as well,” said Blomeley.
Also in the defence end is Josh Byron, who returns to the Kelpies after taking a break from netball. Byron originally rose through the Netball NSW men’s pathway before moving interstate and making his Victorian debut at the 2023 Australian Men's & Mixed Netball Association (AMMNA) National Championships.
“He can play literally anywhere on court, but he’s spent the last few years as either a defender or in the goal circle. He’s athletic in every sense of the word – [he’s got] an amazing read on the ball, a terrific vertical jump, and absolute speed through court as needed as well,” said Blomeley of Byron.
“His combination with Al [Punshon] has been going on since they were playing junior rep sides for Australia, and it will be a pleasure to watch once they move up to the next level again.”
Former Victorian representative Dylan Nexhip, who now lives in NSW, has been named the captain of the Kelpies for a second year. The midcourter is one to watch in 2023 after winning international player of the year (Chris Carroll Award) at the 2022 AMMNA Awards.
“He’s got a never-say-die attitude on court and leaves absolutely nothing out there,” said Blomeley of Nexhip. “He's physical, he's got a presence, and when he speaks within that side, people listen.”
All players in the 2023 Kelpies team were selected based on a talent identification process at AMMNA Nationals, followed by a selection camp.
The number of Victorian products in the team is a credit to the growing netball pathway for boys and men in the state.
The quality of matches held in the Premier Men’s division of MLeague – Victoria's premier men’s and mixed netball competition established in 2006 – speaks to the skill, athleticism, and passion of the state’s male players.
Many of Victoria’s elite male netballers play in MLeague, including all the Victorian-based Kelpies, plus current and former state representatives such as Jake Noonan, Jayden Cowling (also Netball Victoria’s male participation coordinator), and Blomeley himself.
MLeague uses a ‘points system’ to ensure representative players are spread out across the teams for a tightly contested competition.
“The Altona Falcons are probably one of the most exciting looking sides. They've got Brodie, Riley, and Josh all in there for a start, plus Liam Killey – who played in our reserves and who's very tall – in the goal shooter position quite often,” said Blomeley.
“City Heat who won it last year are looking quite strong once again and are coming together well as a side.”
Junior MLeague, for boys aged 17 and under, is also growing, indicating an increasing desire from more teenage boys to play netball.
“Just seeing the progress that those kids make across the season playing at that higher level and that competitive level is terrific,” said Blomeley.
At the elite level, male netballers are being sought more regularly for media opportunities, such as appearances on Fox Netball’s magazine shows.
VMMNA and AMMNA remain entirely volunteer-run organisations. All athletes, officials, team managers, and coaches are required to fund their involvement in international tests and AMMNA Nationals, in addition to taking time off work to travel and attend camps.
With more men playing netball – which AusPlay data shows now accounts for 13 per cent of players nationally – it is hoped the game can attract sponsors and funding.
Blomeley anticipates more televised men’s games will raise the profile of men’s netball at a grassroots level, and highlight the existence of a wider pathway, “The more that people see an actual product, [the more] they then go looking for that product at a lower level.”
The Kelpies have been training against the Diamonds in preparation for their respective upcoming series’.
The Australian side are looking to repeat their winning performance from last year’s Trans-Tasman Cup series. Australia took out the first match 64-48; game two was won by New Zealand 56-46, and the deciding test saw Australia defeat New Zealand 61-57.
The Kelpies will be coached by Nerida Stewart who recently spent a season as the assistant coach of West Coast Fever in Suncorp Super Netball.
Keep up with the Kelpies as they hit the court for the Trans-Tasman Cup at @aussiekelpies
Admission to individual Trans-Tasman Cup matches is included with all same day Constellation Cup tickets. Purchase tickets
Watch the Trans-Tasman Cup broadcast live and exclusively in Australia on Fox Sports, available through Foxtel, Kayo, and Kayo Freebies
International viewers can watch the Trans-Tasman Cup via netballpass.com
Trans-Tasman Cup (AEDT)
Kelpies v New Zealand
- Thursday 12 October 5:15pm AEDT – John Cain Arena, Melbourne
- Sunday 15 October 5:30pm AEDT (4:30pm AEST local time) – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
- Monday 23 October 12pm AEDT (2:00pm NZDST local time) – Spark Arena, Auckland
Constellation Cup (AEDT)
Diamonds v Silver Ferns
- Thursday 12 October 7:30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena, Melbourne
- Sunday 15 October 7.30pm AEST (6:30pm AEST local time) – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
- Thursday 19 October 5.30pm AEDT (7:30pm NZDST local time) – ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
- Monday 23 October 2pm AEDT (4:00pm NZDST local time) – Spark Arena, Auckland
