Silver Fern Kate Heffernan. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Analysis - The Silver Ferns will be able to look back on a season like no other, feeling confident they are on the right path ahead of two big years.
An international window that started with the shock suspension of coach Dame Noeline Taurua, came to an end on Thursday, when they beat England in the series decider in Manchester.
The players rose above a situation that could easily have divided the team, and instead worked towards a common goal on court.
After 12 Tests in two months, the Silver Ferns head into their summer break with a commendable nine-win three-loss record.
It started with a series sweep against South Africa in September. The Silver Ferns then drew the Constellation Cup series 2-2 with the Diamonds before the world champions pipped them in the series decider.
New Zealand then started their Northern Tour with two wins against Scotland, before finishing their season with a 2-1 series win over England, in what was likely their last hit-out before next year's Commonwealth Games.
Kate Heffernan, who brought up her 50th cap in the final Test, said it meant a lot to finish on a high after the season that's been.
"It's been one that I think many of us will remember," Heffernan said.
"It's been a long [season] but it has been one I think we have grown, been able to close out games like we have in game one and game three against England, I think that's massive for us moving forward."
Despite a gruelling schedule, there were no signs of fatigue in the final Test, with interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie sticking with the same seven throughout.
That was even more remarkable given a gastro bug hit the majority of team right after the second Test. At its height only six players managed to make it to a team meeting.
"It was a tough trip getting up to Manchester but everybody's done what they can to make sure that they kept their fluids up, were resting, and just trying to eat what they could," McCausland-Durie said.
Heffernan said the benefit of a long season was that the on court connections had been able to grow.
In October the Silver Ferns had a tight series against the Australian Diamonds. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
Heffernan continued her excellent form at wing defence, and circle defenders Kelly Jackson and Karin Burger were able to pick up more ball in Test 3.
Interim captain Burger has put her hand up to get the gig full-time after impressing both on and off the court.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio was the go-to captain before making herself unavailable for this year's international season and it's unclear if she will return to the side.
When Dame Noeline was stood down 11 days out from the series against South Africa, the Silver Ferns were captain-less but a team vote later backed Burger to take the reins.
The 32-year-old has carried herself admirably during a time when the team were put under intense scrutiny.
"We've got a job to do regardless of what's going on out there so it's been a long three months, I've learnt a lot about leadership, and I'm continuously learning about it," Burger said.
"It does mean a lot [to win the final test] ...there were some plans set in place to prepare ourselves really well for Commonwealth Games, which we probably haven't been able to consistently do. But there's been a lot of growth mentally and emotionally over the last three months and I know we'll only be better for it."
Burger said the fatigue felt by the end of the tour was not physical.
"We've prepared ourselves really well physically, it was more the mental and emotional because we've been together for so long, but glad we've been able to stick it out and know what that looks like for us."
Dame Noeline was reinstated as head coach in the middle of the Constellation Cup series, but McCausland-Durie was retained for the entire 2025 international season to "minimise disruption" to the Ferns camp.
Karin Burger has done a fine job as interim captain. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
McCausland-Durie, who is always warm without being emotional, was the perfect person to step in when Netball New Zealand sent out an SOS.
On Monday, the three time ANZ Premiership title winning coach will go back to her day job at the school she helps manage in Auckland.
"To have worked our way through all the challenges and the different bits of noise that were around and I think for each of us it's been a huge growth. I've learnt lots and I think the players we've see some huge shifts and hopefully we've set them up well for what's ahead of them in terms of some big major events," McCausland-Durie said.
Dame Noeline will be hands-on again in the new year but July's Commonwealth Games might be her first Test back in charge.
The Silver Ferns will be under no illusion about the challenge that awaits them at next year's pinnacle event, followed by the World Cup in 2027.
The series against the fourth ranked England Roses has confirmed how little separates the two sides. Jamaica, who are ranked third in the world, are another big threat.
Five of the Silver Ferns players will be competing in next year's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) league in Australia - four of them for the first time off the back of Netball New Zealand loosening eligibility rules.
Most of the players will be joining their SSN teams in January for pre-season training.
Grace Nweke will return to the NSW Swifts, while former Pulse team-mates Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon are joining the Queensland Firebirds.
Kate Heffernan is heading to the Adelaide Thunderbirds, and Karin Burger to the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
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