Ameliaranne Ekenasio: Age, Netball Career, Team and Achievements
The Australian-born Silver Fern who became a World Cup winner, New Zealand captain, and leading ANZ Premiership shooter
Introduction
Ameliaranne Ekenasio is an Australian-born netball player who represented New Zealand at the highest international level. She is best known for playing goal attack and goal shoot for the Silver Ferns, winning the 2019 Netball World Cup, and later becoming captain of the national team.
Born in Bundaberg, Queensland, she began her elite career in Australia before moving to New Zealand. Her move became an important turning point. She later earned 79 Test caps for the Silver Ferns and helped the country win several major international titles.
For the 2026 domestic season, she returned to Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse and was named co-captain with Parris Mason. She is not part of the current Silver Ferns squad, but there has been no confirmed official announcement saying that she has retired from international netball.
Her career has become a notable part of New Zealand sport, especially because of her role in the Silver Ferns’ 2019 World Cup victory and her years as national captain.
Who Is Ameliaranne Ekenasio?
Ameliaranne Ekenasio, formerly known as Ameliaranne Wells, is a professional netball shooter.
She was born on 11 January 1991 in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. She has New Zealand family connections and Ngāpuhi heritage.
The shooter first developed her career in Australia with the Queensland Firebirds. She later moved to New Zealand and became eligible to represent the Silver Ferns.
Her international debut came against Australia on 8 October 2014. She became Silver Fern number 157.
Over the following decade, she developed into an important attacking player for New Zealand and eventually became captain of the national side.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ameliaranne Ekenasio |
| Former name | Ameliaranne Wells |
| Date of birth | 11 January 1991 |
| Age | 35 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia |
| Height | 186 cm |
| Sport | Netball |
| Positions | Goal Attack and Goal Shoot |
| Silver Fern number | 157 |
| New Zealand Test caps | 79 |
| Silver Ferns debut | 8 October 2014 |
| Major international title | 2019 Netball World Cup |
| 2026 domestic team | Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse |
| 2026 role | Player and co-captain |
Early Life and Start in Netball
Ameliaranne Ekenasio did not begin netball as a very young child.
She has publicly explained that friends introduced her to the sport during her early teenage years. A teacher also encouraged her to trial for a school team.
She began playing at around 12 years old and later travelled from Bundaberg to Brisbane for higher-level training.
Before representing New Zealand, she played for Australia at under-19 and under-21 level.
Her early career showed that her sporting path was not always straightforward. She moved through Australia’s youth system before eventually finding greater opportunities in senior netball.
Queensland Firebirds Career
Her senior national-league career began with the Queensland Firebirds.
She joined the club in 2011 and remained there through 2014.
During her first season, the Firebirds won the 2011 trans-Tasman championship.
Although she was part of a strong Australian team, competition for court time was difficult. A move to New Zealand later gave her a greater opportunity to establish herself as a regular elite-level shooter.
Move to New Zealand
In 2014, while still competing under the surname Wells, she signed with the Central Pulse.
The transfer changed the direction of her career.
Her father is from New Zealand, and her family connection meant her move also strengthened her ties to the country she would soon represent internationally.
Only months after signing with the Pulse, she made her Silver Ferns debut.
On 8 October 2014, she played her first Test for New Zealand against Australia.
That match began an international career that would eventually include 79 appearances.
Central Pulse Success
Ekenasio played an important part in the development of the Central Pulse during her first spell with the Wellington-based franchise.
She represented the club from 2015 through 2020, with time away from the game around motherhood.
Her most successful domestic seasons came near the end of that period.
The Pulse won consecutive ANZ Premiership titles in 2019 and 2020.
Those championships added major domestic honours to a career that was also reaching its strongest point internationally.
2019 Netball World Cup Victory
The biggest international achievement of her career came at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England.
New Zealand entered the tournament seeking its first world championship since 2003.
The Silver Ferns reached the final against Australia and won 52-51 in a very close match.
Ekenasio delivered an important shooting performance in the final, converting 24 of her 26 attempts.
The victory made New Zealand world champions and placed her among the players associated with one of the most important Silver Ferns results of the modern era.
Later that year, she was named the 2019 Silver Ferns Player of the Year.
Becoming Silver Ferns Captain
Her responsibilities increased after the World Cup triumph.
In January 2020, she was appointed Silver Ferns captain for the Nations Cup.
New Zealand went through the competition unbeaten and defeated Jamaica 67-56 in the final.
Her leadership role continued beyond that tournament.
She later captained New Zealand during one of its biggest series victories against Australia.
2021 Constellation Cup Victory
In 2021, the Silver Ferns defeated Australia 3-1 in the Constellation Cup.
It was New Zealand’s first Constellation Cup series victory since 2012.
Ekenasio was captain of the team during the successful campaign.
The result strengthened her record as a leader as well as a shooter.
Later in 2021, she stepped away from competition because of her second pregnancy.
Return After Motherhood
Motherhood has been an important part of her publicly documented career story.
She and her husband, Damien Ekenasio, welcomed their son Ocean in June 2017.
She returned to elite netball after becoming a mother and later earned selection for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
In 2021, she announced her second pregnancy and again spent time away from top-level competition.
After approximately 18 months away from international netball, she returned to the Silver Ferns in 2022.
Her comeback also included returning to the captaincy.
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
A major club change came in 2022 when she joined Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
She played four seasons with the franchise, from 2022 through 2025.
During that period, she remained one of the most experienced shooters in New Zealand domestic netball.
In April 2023, she reached her 100th national-league appearance.
The milestone included matches played across the Queensland Firebirds, Central Pulse and Magic.
Her performances were also recognised through major awards.
She was named ANZ Premiership Player of the Year in 2024.
She also received the peer-voted Silver Ferns Players’ Award in both 2023 and 2024.
2023 Netball World Cup
Ekenasio captained New Zealand at the 2023 Netball World Cup in South Africa.
It was her second World Cup appearance after the title-winning campaign four years earlier.
Although New Zealand did not repeat its 2019 championship success, her selection as captain demonstrated that she remained an important senior figure in the national programme.
Her official Silver Ferns playing record currently stands at 79 Tests.
Return to the Pulse in 2026
After four seasons with the Magic, she returned to Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse for the 2026 ANZ Premiership season.
The move brought her back to the club where she had previously enjoyed major domestic success.
For the 2026 campaign, the Pulse appointed her co-captain alongside Parris Mason.
The role combined her experience with a younger member of the squad’s leadership group.
As of August 2026, the Pulse continues to identify her as a goal attack and goal shoot player.
Is Ameliaranne Ekenasio Still Playing for the Silver Ferns?
She is not part of New Zealand’s current international squad.
She made herself unavailable for the 2025 international season and was not selected in the 2025/26 Silver Ferns squad.
She was also not included in New Zealand’s team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
However, there has been no confirmed official retirement announcement.
For this reason, the most accurate description is that she is a former Silver Ferns captain who remains active in domestic netball but is currently outside the national team.
Husband and Children
Ekenasio is married to Damien Ekenasio.
Their first child, Ocean, was born in June 2017.
She later became a mother for a second time after announcing her pregnancy in 2021.
Her return to elite sport after having children has been publicly discussed during her career, especially because she successfully returned to both domestic and international competition.
Details beyond those publicly confirmed facts are not necessary to understand her professional story.
Major Career Achievements
Her confirmed achievements include:
- 2011 trans-Tasman championship with Queensland Firebirds
- Silver Ferns debut in 2014
- 2019 ANZ Premiership title with Central Pulse
- 2019 Netball World Cup champion with New Zealand
- 2019 Silver Ferns Player of the Year
- 2020 ANZ Premiership champion with Central Pulse
- 2020 Nations Cup champion
- Silver Ferns captain
- 2021 Constellation Cup winner as captain
- 100th national-league appearance in 2023
- Captain of New Zealand at the 2023 Netball World Cup
- Silver Ferns Players’ Award in 2023
- ANZ Premiership Player of the Year in 2024
- Silver Ferns Players’ Award in 2024
- Return to Central Pulse as co-captain in 2026
How Many Tests Did Ameliaranne Ekenasio Play?
Her official Silver Ferns record lists 79 Test appearances for New Zealand.
Her international seasons are recorded across 2014 to 2016 and again from 2018 through 2024.
Her playing career included breaks connected with motherhood before she returned to international competition.
What Position Does She Play?
She plays mainly as a goal attack and goal shoot.
Both positions are focused on scoring goals, although goal attack also works further outside the shooting circle and plays a larger role in bringing the ball into the attacking end.
Her ability to play both positions gave coaches different options in New Zealand’s attacking combinations.
Where Was Ameliaranne Ekenasio Born?
She was born in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia.
Despite being Australian-born and playing for Australian junior teams, she later represented New Zealand at senior international level.
Her New Zealand family connection and Ngāpuhi heritage are also part of her publicly documented background.
What Is Ameliaranne Ekenasio Doing Now?
In 2026, she returned to Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse for another ANZ Premiership season.
She was also appointed co-captain with Parris Mason.
Her current career therefore remains centred on domestic netball rather than Silver Ferns competition.
There is no verified announcement confirming that she has permanently retired from international play.
Final Summary
Ameliaranne Ekenasio built an unusual international career that began in Australia and reached its highest point with New Zealand.
After playing junior netball for Australia and beginning her senior career with the Queensland Firebirds, she moved across the Tasman and became a Silver Fern in 2014.
Her greatest achievement came in 2019 when New Zealand defeated Australia by one goal to win the Netball World Cup.
She later became national captain, won the Nations Cup and Constellation Cup, returned to elite competition after motherhood, and earned major individual awards.
By 2026, she had 79 Silver Ferns Tests behind her and had returned to the Pulse as an experienced player and co-captain.
Her international future has not been officially closed, but her present focus is domestic netball.
