Netball: Fast5 farewell for van Dyk

Irene Van Dyk. Photo / Greg Bowker

This year's Fast5 World Series will serve as Silver Ferns shooting legend Irene van Dyk's final farewell to international netball.

The star shooter, who announced her retirement from test netball earlier this year, has been included in the Fast Ferns line-up for the two day tournament. Van Dyk's retirement just six weeks out from the Commonwealth Games caught much of the netball world off guard, with many saddened by the thought there was no proper send-off for the world's most-capped netballer in her final test.

The Fast5 tournament in Auckland in November presented the opportunity for the sporting public to properly farewell the one of New Zealand netball's greatest servants.

Van Dyk, who was today elected to the New Zealand Olympic Committee's athletes foundation, said she couldn't resist putting her name forward for selection to play in the Fast5 Ferns team.

"I am just so stoked," she said.

"To be able to play again with my old teammates, and some new teammates, is so exciting for me and I hope I can do the team proud."

Staged over the course of two days at Vector Arena, the Fast5 tournament has taken on an exhibition-like quality with the emphasis in the short game on playing a fast and entertaining brand of netball.

The Fast5 Ferns were the inaugural champions in 2012 and produced back to back titles, winning in 2013 in a hotly contested final against the Australian Fast5 Flyers.

Fast5 Ferns coach Janine Southby says she's looking forward to the event after leading the team to the title in 2013.

"It's such a fantastic event to be a part of and the players really embrace every aspect of the Fast5 game," she said.

"It's going to be very special having Irene in the team as she always adds something special, and at the other end of the spectrum we have 20-year-old Temalisi Fakahokotau in the team for her first Fast5 experience, so it's going to great!"

Due to high demand, organisers today released additional seats in every price category at Vector Arena although seats are limited.

Fast5 Ferns team: Casey Kopua (c), Kayla Cullen, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant, Ellen Halpenny, Laura Langman, Bailey Mes, Grace Rasmussen and Irene van Dyk.

FAST5 Netball World Series: November 8-9, Vector Arena, Auckland.