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'I've got massive shoes to fill' – Ameliaranne Ekenasio embracing Silver Ferns captaincy

January 16, 2020

The Ferns shooter will lead the side to this year's Nations Cup in England.

Fresh from being decided as the newest captain of the Silver Ferns, Ameliaranne Ekenasio knows the size of her newest challenge, leading the side to this year's Nations Cup in England.

With Laura Langman rested for the upcoming series, and other senior players such as Maria Folau and Casey Kopua having retired after last year's Netball World Cup win, 29-year-old Ekenasio will take the reigns of the Ferns for the first time.

The shooter is still coming to terms with this morning's announcement.

"To be honest, [my reaction] was shock - I couldn't actually believe it," Ekenasio told 1 NEWS.

"I wasn't expecting it at all, it definitely blindsided me.

"It's a massive privilege, it still feels a bit surreal.

Ekenasio won't be alone in her new leadership role either, with defender Jane Watson and midcourter Gina Crampton also named as vice-captains.

The Silver Ferns' captaincy appointment process meaning that Ekenasio's teammates have had the decisive say in her taking on the role.

"I'm really lucky to have Jane and Gina with me as well. And a really beautiful group of girls around me.

"I don't feel like I'm doing it by myself, it's all of us.

"It wasn't just one person's decision, it was really the collective. It really just made me think about it and realise what a special place I'm in and feel really grateful to be surrounded by the girls as well.

"To have that come back to me in this kind of way is enormous. I can't really even find the right words to describe it."

Having played under former captains such as Laura Langman and Katrina Rore, Ekenasio knows what's expected of her, confident she can add to the growing legacy of the black dress under coach Noeline Taurua.

"I've got massive shoes to fill. We've had amazing captains of recent as well too.

"But I think I'm really lucky to have been led by some amazing women, I think looking up to them and feeling like I've been led in a really good way, I'll try to keep that style in everything I do."

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