Northumbria Fly In Powerhouse Kiwis

Suncorp Super Netball title winner Erena Mikaere will anchor Team Northumbria’s defence at the inaugural British Fast 5 All Stars tournament.

And the towering Kiwi will be joined by former Silver Fern and Southern Steel star Daneka Tuineau after head coach TeAroha Keenan revealed her two Worldwide All Star picks.

Mikaere won the Suncorp Super Netball title with Australian powerhouse Sunshine Coast Lightning earlier this year.

And the 6ft 4in star has already re-signed for the 2017 champions ahead of next year’s title defence.

Multi-talented goal shooter Tuineau is playing basketball in France where husband Joe plays Rugby Union.

The 34-year-old was a regular for the New Zealand national team in the noughties after making her debut in the 2002 Commonwealth Games aged just 19.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to bring two of New Zealand’s top players over to London for the Fast 5 tournament,” said Keenan.

“Both Erena and Daneka have a huge amount of experience at the highest level and they will be invaluable additions to our squad.

“We’ve been able to assemble an exciting roster boasting youth and experience and it’s a squad built for the demands of Fast 5 netball.

“I took a long, hard look at where we needed to strengthen and my Worldwide All Star picks offer us options at both ends of the court."

The British Fast 5 All Stars event brings together the best eight NSL franchises in Britain.

And the shortened version of netball promises thrills and spills from the off with 12 minute matches and instant elimination from the group stage for any side that picks up two defeats.

Players will score five points for goals converted from outside the conventional shooting circle - a feature designed to encourage ambitious long-range attempts.

The winners will pick up a cheque for £25,000 with the runners-up guaranteed £20,000 and the losing semi-finalists £12,500 apiece.

Tickets are on sale now with Sport Central fans able to sit in a special TN zone. The event takes place from 5pm-10pm on Saturday September 23 and tickets are available from www.theo2.co.uk