Northern Mystics shooter Grace Nweke has been rewarded for her outstanding ANZ Premiership season, named as one of four new faces in Dame Noeline Taurua's Silver Ferns squad for 2021/22.
Nweke, 19, was a key cog in the Mystics' title winning side, and finds herself as one of the Silver Ferns' new faces, along with fellow shooters Jamie Hume of Northern Stars, and Southern Steel's Tiana Metuarau - who have also earned their first call-ups.
The selection is just reward for Nweke, who was part of the Silver Ferns' wider squad last year, before her elevation to Dame Noeline Taurua's plans in 2021.
"I wouldn't say as much of a surprise as much as a relief," Nweke tells Newshub.
"It's something that I've been working towards since I was brought into the environment last year. I knew that I had the potential to get selected this time around, but I'm really glad I got there in the end.
"Being a Silver Fern has been a big goal of mine for a long time, but I don't want to be in one season, out the next.
"I definitely want to solidify myself in the squad, and continue. It's something that I'm definitely working towards."
The trio are joined by Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Maia Wilson as the squad's shooters, while captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio is on maternity leave. Bailey Mes is unavailable through injury.
"The shooting circle has been an area that we have focussed on recently and it's exciting to see how much competition there has been for spaces," coach Taurua says.
"While there is work still to be done, we're pleased with the position we're in going forward."
Steel midcourter Kate Heffernan has also been handed a maiden call-up, while Peta Toeava has been recalled after an outstanding season for the Mystics.
They join Gina Crampton, Sam Winders, Shannon Saunders, Maddy Gordon and Clare Kersten as the squad's midcourters.
Kimara Poi and Whitney Souness are unlucky to miss out, as part of a congested midcourt, but have been named as part of the Silver Ferns' development squad.
In defence, the Mainland Tactix pair of Jane Watson and Karin Burger are joined by Sulu Fitzpatrick and Kelly Jury.
A further nine players have also been named as part of a development squad, as the Silver Ferns look to build depth in the lead-up to next year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Phoenix Karaka and Katrina Rore are both unavailable while on maternity leave, while Michaela Sokolich-Beatson is still on the mend from an achilles injury.
The selected players will take part in three training camps over the coming two months, with a squad and captain for the Silver Ferns' upcoming fixtures to be named afterwards.
The Silver Ferns will next play a four test series to contest the Constellation Cup against Australia, beginning in October,
Silver Ferns: Ameliaranne Ekenasio (maternity leave), Jamie Hume, Tiana Metuarau, Grace Nweke, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson, Gina Crampton, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Claire Kersten, Shannon Saunders, Peta Toeava, Sam Winders, Karin Burger, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Kelly Jury, Jane Watson.
Development squad: Kate Burley, Monica Falkner, Paris Lokotui, Oceane Maihi, Kimiora Poi, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Whitney Souness, Georgia Tong, Filda Vui.
