Silver Ferns announce busy schedule for 2016

Bailey Mes in action for the Silver Ferns. Photo / Getty

The Silver Ferns are set for one of the busiest international seasons on record, with Netball NZ announcing Jamaica will tour here for the first time since 2010.

After last week confirming the dates for the inaugural SANZEA international "super series" involving New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa, Netball NZ this morning confirmed the Ferns will also take on Jamaica in a three test series in September.

The addition of the Jamaican series means the Ferns will take all four of their fellow top five nations in the world this year - a challenging start to new coach Janine Southby's tenure.

"The International Netball Super Series will add further excitement to an already impressive line-up of international competition featuring the Silver Ferns, which includes the Constellation Cup and Taini Jamison Trophy," Poole said.

"It is a win for fans across the country who will be able to see some of the world's best Netballers on New Zealand soil."

The super series will see the Silver Ferns open their season with a Vector Arena blockbuster against England on August 27. The series then heads to Hamilton where they will face South Africa's SPAR Proteas, before crossing the Tasman for the final match against the Australian Diamonds.

World number four, Jamaica, will tour New Zealand for the first time since 2010 in September. The three-test series for the Taini Jamison Trophy will see the Silver Ferns face the Sunshine Girls in Nelson, Palmerston North and Rotorua.

The world champion Australian Diamonds will be back on New Zealand shores in late October for the final two tests of the Constellation Cup. The four-test Series will see the Diamonds host the first two matches, before they cross the Tasman for the final tests in Auckland and Invercargill.

The international season will be rounded out with the Fast5 Netball World Series, October 29-30, at Melbourne's Hisense Arena in Australia.

Silver Ferns 2016 calendar

International Super Series

Silver Ferns v England Roses
Date: Saturday 27 August
Venue: Vector Arena, Auckland

Silver Ferns v SPAR Proteas (South Africa)
Date: Wednesday 31 August
Venue: Claudelands Arena, Hamilton

Australian Diamonds v Silver Ferns
Date: Sunday 4 September
Venue: TBC, Australia

Jamaican Tour

Silver Ferns v Sunshine Girls (Jamaica)
Date: Sunday 11 September
Venue: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson

Silver Ferns v Sunshine Girls
Date: Wednesday 14 September
Venue: Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

Silver Ferns v Sunshine Girls
Date: Saturday 17 September
Venue: Energy Events Centre, Rotorua

Constellation Cup

Australian Diamonds v Silver Ferns
Date: TBC
Venue: TBC, Australia

Australian Diamonds v Silver Ferns
Date: TBC
Venue: TBC, Australia

Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds
Date: Saturday 15 October
Venue: Vector Arena, Auckland

Silver Ferns v Australian Netball Diamonds
Date: Thursday 20 October
Venue: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill

Fast5 World Series

Date: Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 October
Venue: Hisense Arena, Melbourne