Netball Australia announced today that the Australian Diamonds will take on arch-rivals the New Zealand Silver Ferns at the newly refurbished Adelaide Entertainment Centre as part of the Holden Netball Test Series in August.

It will be the first time the two teams have met in Adelaide since a sell-out crowd saw the Diamonds take honours at the Adelaide Dome in 2007.

Netball Australia CEO Kate Palmer said today that the increasing popularity and profile of the sport, along with the added interest of a potential Commonwealth Games showdown between the two teams later this year, meant that the game was deserving of a larger venue.

“We are delighted to be taking this Holden Netball Test match to such a fantastic stadium. 

“South Australian netball fans are in for a treat, with the opportunity to experience the excitement of international netball in a state of the art venue that is close to the city.”

Events South Australia General Manager Hitaf Rasheed said the match will be popular with South Australian supporters.

“Adelaide is proud to host this Diamonds v Ferns match. South Australians are huge sporting fans and will no doubt turn out in force to support the Diamonds.

“The addition of this Holden Netball Test Series match is yet another boost to South Australia’s ever-growing calendar of international sporting events.”

Adelaide Entertainment Centre Chief Executive Officer Anthony Kirchner said that the recent $52m refurbishment of the venue had ensured it position as SA’s premier indoor live entertainment and events venue.

 

 “The Adelaide Entertainment Centre will provide additional capacity deserving of an Australia vs. New Zealand Test. We’re very excited to be hosting an international Netball Test for the first time and the recent venue enhancements are going to add to what will no doubt be a spectacular sporting contest.”  

The match against the Ferns is the Diamonds’ final hit out on home soil before return matches in New Zealand and the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. 

Fans in Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast will have the chance to support the Diamonds when they take on Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls as part of the Holden Netball Test Series. Details of all Holden Netball Test Series matches are listed below.

 

 

2010 Holden Netball Test Series

Diamonds v Sunshine Girls (Jamaica)

Test 1
Sunday 8 August, 3.00pm
State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne

Test 2
Wednesday 11 August, 7.30pm
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney

Test 3
Sunday 15 August, 3.00pm
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast

Diamonds v Silver Ferns
Test 1
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
Sunday 29 August 2.30pm

NB. Please note that all stated times are local.

Tickets go on sale for Diamond v Jamaica Tests on Monday 12 April.
Tickets for Diamonds v Silver Ferns go on sale Tuesday 27 April

 

NEW ZEALAND – New World International Netball Series

Silver Ferns v Diamonds

Thursday 2 September

TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

Sunday 5 September

Vector Arena, Auckland