Ameliaranne Ekenasio

Australian-born shooter who switched to New Zealand, captained the Silver Ferns, and starred in their 2019 World Cup triumph.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio (née Wells) was born on 11 January 1991 in Queensland, Australia, of Ngapuhi Maori descent. She represented Australia at under-19 and under-21 level and played for the Queensland Firebirds from 2011 to 2014, but switched allegiance to New Zealand in 2014, making her senior Silver Ferns debut that October against Australia after signing with Central Pulse. Ekenasio became a key attacking weapon for New Zealand, representing the Silver Ferns at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and starring in the team's triumphant 2019 Netball World Cup campaign, scoring 24 from 26 attempts at 92% accuracy in the gold medal match and being named the 2019 Silver Ferns Player of the Year. She was named national captain ahead of the 2020 Netball Nations Cup and led New Zealand to Constellation Cup victories in 2021 and 2024, taking multiple breaks from the international game around the births of her two children. Domestically, Ekenasio spent six seasons with Central Pulse, winning the 2018 Netball New Zealand Super Club and the 2019 and 2020 ANZ Premierships, before joining Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in 2022, where she captained the club until stepping away after the 2025 season. She announced she would be unavailable for the 2025 international season to focus on her wellbeing, ending her Silver Ferns career with 79 caps.

Confident, elegant long-range shooter with quick hands and feet, capable of playing both goal attack and goal shooter

Celebrated as a graceful, high-arching long-range shooter and one of the few players to switch international allegiance between Australia and New Zealand at the elite level

• 2019 Netball World Cup gold
• 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze
• captained NZ to 2021 Constellation Cup win