Stories by Bridget Tunnicliffe

For some time netball was the only female team sport in New Zealand that would pay its elite players.

Silver Fern great Leigh Gibbs describes herself as a traditionalist and that's why, she argues, a two-point shot would be good for the seven-a-side game.

Having dealt with the first significant non-selection of her netball career Tiana Metuarau is looking forward to hitting the court with the FAST5 Ferns this weekend.

A week ago the Silver Ferns were sitting pretty - 2-nil up in the Constellation Cup and it looked like the Cup would stay in New Zealand's hands.

The physicality the Australia Diamonds are renowned for came out in full force in last night's Silver Ferns' loss, which set up a winner takes all Constellation Cup decider on Sunday.

If the Silver Ferns beat Australia in Melbourne tonight to retain the Constellation Cup, they will also achieve something they haven't done since 2006.

Silver Ferns' coach Dame Noeline Taurua paid rookie Kate Heffernan the ultimate compliment after last night's win over Australia.

There's been a lot of growth in the Silver Ferns since their last meeting with the Australian Diamonds, experienced defender Phoenix Karaka says.

Following a hollow series against Jamaica, a hotly contested Constellation Cup against Australia is badly needed and could be on the cards for the Silver Ferns.

Analysis - If the Silver Ferns meet Jamaica at next year's World Cup, it will barely resemble the team they beat this week and that's a worry if it comes down to a knockout game.

The Silver Ferns have beaten a hobbled together Jamaican side 70-45 in the first of two tests in Auckland tonight.

Jamaica's coach will complete the roster for the series against the Silver Ferns starting tonight in an effort to make the games count as official Tests.

Grace Nweke's journey to becoming a Silver Fern has been an education for the whole Nweke family.

The Sunshine Girls are ringing in players to ensure the series against the Silver Ferns goes ahead, including former Jamaican international Carla Borrego.

RNZ understands it is highly unlikely the five remaining members of the Jamaican team will join their team-mates in New Zealand, putting the series with the Silver Ferns into disarray.

The Jamaican side named to meet the Silver Ferns in a three Test series starting this Saturday, will be missing several of its stars.

To say the words "I'm not going to be coming to the Commonwealth Games" were some of the hardest White Fern Lauren Down has ever spoken.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio has not played for the Silver Ferns in 18 months, but has won the captaincy role back, while Gina Crampton has dropped to vice-captain.

Dame Noeline Taurua has started to think about her pathway after her Silver Ferns' coaching tenure ends and it could well involve more coaching.

Squash star Joelle King helped carry the New Zealand flag in the opening ceremony and she's helped win the country's final medal, a gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The Silver Ferns' coach says she saw a mental shift in her team when they won bronze at the Commonwealth Games, beating England 55-48.

Silver Ferns' coach Dame Noeline Taurua says her side simply weren't good enough against a red hot Jamaica, who could go all the way in Birmingham.

Some of the Silver Ferns players are still learning on the job and they're about to go up against England who boast around 900 Test caps.

The New Zealand women's 4000m Team Pursuit track cycling team is in jeopardy at the Commonwealth Games with rider Ally Wollaston all but ruled out.

New Zealand Swimming coach Gary Hollywood says all the science shows that six years is the magic number for a coach and athlete partnership.