Popular Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse midcourter Maddy Gordon will leave her home of eight years to test her credentials with the Queensland Firebirds in the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball league.

A review of the Silver Ferns selection policy by Netball New Zealand has opened the door for New Zealand’s top players to test the waters overseas and Gordon will join her Pulse captain Kelly Jackson at the Firebirds for next season.

``Ultimately, my goal is to become a better netball player, to get a couple more skills in my toolbox, just better my game, and also for me, it’s just something different,’’ Gordon said.

``I’ve been in Wellington now for eight years and I’ve been loving it but I think I just need a change, I need a push, I need a challenge, I need to be taken out of my comfort zone and I think that’s what Australia and the Firebirds will do for me.’’

Making the bold decision to move to Wellington from Auckland in her first year out of school paid dividends for the livewire midcourter, who quickly found her niche in the Central Manawa National Netball League team in 2018.

Gordon was promptly elevated to the Pulse the following year and has since shown her slick all-round credentials with the ability to slip comfortably between the three midcourt positions and deliver. A super quick and skilful midcourter with a non-stop engine, Gordon, 25, has continued to excel at both national and international level.

With the Pulse, Gordon has won three ANZ Premiership titles (2019, 2020 and 2022) while also being the 2023 ANZ Premiership Player of the Year. She played 84 games in Pulse colours.

``I always wanted to be someone who got to the 100-game mark with one club which is unfortunately not going to happen,’’ she said. ``But I just can’t thank the Pulse region enough. I came down here as a young 18-year-old and they put me in the NNL team which was great.

``They backed me, they gave me a chance and now here I am starting for the Pulse. I never thought I would have been here for so many years, they’ve definitely shaped me into the player that I am today and I can’t thank them enough.

``They took a chance on me and not many people get given a shot like that, especially when you’re a nobody and no one really knows you.

``I have said to them it’s not forever, and if there’s any chance, I would love to come back, so it’s nothing to do with them, it’s just purely for me to grow and hopefully, they’ll take me back in the future if that’s how things pan out.’’

In an unexpected but welcome twist of fate, Gordon will have a close buddy in the form of Jakson on hand as a team-mate and will be coached by former NZU21 and Stars coach Kiri Wills at the Firebirds.

``We both worked out quite late in the piece that we were talking to the same club but our individual careers and netball goals determined the final decision for each of us, and amazingly, that’s where we’ve both ended up which is really cool,’’ Gordon said.

``It settles the nerves down that little bit more knowing you’ve got a really good mate over there as well.

``I love being in a challenge, I love being pushed hard, so I think ultimately, while I am a little nervous, I’m more excited than anything.’’

With a hectic international window with the Silver Ferns from September to November on the horizon, Gordon will get some post-recovery time before heading to Brisbane and the Firebird’s pre-season in January.

``Maddy has been one of the cornerstones to our success in recent years and she goes to the Firebirds with our blessing,’’ Netball Central Director of High Performance Waimarama Taumaunu said.

``From her early days, we have enjoyed being part of her growth and development into the top-class player she has become while she has shown, with hard work, what can be achieved. She has been a terrific contributor across many facets in the Pulse environment and we certainly wish her well for this next venture in her career.’’
 


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Article added: Thursday 14 August 2025