30 May 2025

Former Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua returns to top flight netball

4:04 pm on 30 May 2025
Casey Kopua of New Zealand Silver Ferns.

Casey Kopua playing against England in 2019. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Kopua has been called in as injury cover for Sydney side, the Giants for this weekend's match against the Melbourne Vixens in the Australian Super League.

The 39-year-old Kopua is just three weeks shy of her 40th birthday. She retired from top flight netball in 2019 after leading New Zealand to the World Cup title.

Kopua has a strong link with Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald, who coached Kopua for several seasons at the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.

The move will aslo reunites Kopua with former teammates Australian international Jamie-Lee Price and England international Jo Harten, who she played alongside with at the Magic.

In making the announcement the Giants said Kopua is "known for her tenacity, game smarts, and ability to lift those around her, the former world champion is expected to provide invaluable guidance to the young Giants squad."

Kopua went into retirement as a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and a Netball World Cup champion but has continued to play netball in top-level mixed competitions and lower leagues.

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