Jamaica v New Zealand recap - Silver Ferns win gold for first time in 16 years at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

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New Zealand claimed their first netball crown at the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 16 years, with The Silver Ferns producing a confident win over Jamaica, 56-48, at Glasgow 2026 on Sunday afternoon.

'They are the golden girls' - New Zealand beat Jamaica to claim netball gold

Video credit: TNT Sports

New Zealand came out the stronger, taking a three-point lead in the first quarter thanks to an inspiring performance out of the gate by goal shooter Grace Nweke.

Jamaica fought back, finishing the second quarter goal-for-goal with their opponents to keep the deficit where it was.

They seemed to turn the tide in a fierce burst of energy at the start of the third quarter, with goal defence Latanya Jackson and goal attack Shanice Beckford shining bright during the comeback attempt.

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But the Kiwis refused to back down for long, and goalkeeper Kelly Jackson worked hard to foil Jamaica’s scoring attempts time and time again to extend the gap to eight.

New Zealand continued that drive in the fourth quarter, with captain Karin Burger and the Heffernan twins leading the push.

Ultimately, Jamaica couldn’t stop the slide for a second time and New Zealand would clinch their third Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow.

They were joined on the podium in the medal ceremony by Australia, who defeated England 68-50 in the bronze medal match earlier this morning.

Living the dream

The Silver Ferns ended a long 16-year wait for the Commonwealth crown, and they delivered something special in Glasgow today.

New Zealand netball CWG

Image credit: Getty Images

Your silver medallists!

The Sunshine Girls celebrate the podium with their family in front of the packed out Hydro crowd.

Jamaica podium CWG

Image credit: Getty Images

Latanya Wilson: 'Silver is the new gold for me, so there is nothing to lose'

"I'm proud we put ourselves in this privileged position to be out here to play the finals, I'm a bit disappointed in the loss but I'm still proud of the girls.

"We started really slow and in the second quarter we came back into it, but we let the momentum swing for them. It was a good match, New Zealand is a top team and we knew they were going to come and put on a strong performance.

"I think [our fans] are proud of us whether we win or lose and I know that they are cheering us on. To be able to be here, it's a good job for us."

Shamera Sterling-Humphrey: 'We don't get paid to do this, so it's all for our country and from our heart'

"We knew the job we had to do here today, unfortunately the Ferns came out with the win. I think they played amazingly, they deserved the win.

"Making the finals means a lot given limited resources at home, the Sunshine Girls don't get paid to do this so when we come on the international level it's all for our country and from our heart. We're playing for our families, friends, and fans, so thanks them for always bringing us across the line."

"With my post-natal depression, netball keeps me happy and I'm glad I'm here on the podium again for another silver medal around my neck. It's a privilege to be here in this Commonwealth Games much less the finals, so I'm really proud of the girls and onto the next, which is the World Cup."

Watch: Silver Ferns celebrate their first Commonwealth Games crown in 16 years.

The moment it all sunk in for New Zealand and what it truly meant to the Silver Ferns.

'They are the golden girls' - New Zealand beat Jamaica to claim netball gold

Video credit: TNT Sports

Kate Heffernan: 'I feel incredibly lucky to the a part of this team"

"I honestly can't believe it. It means so much, this is the most incredible team and I'm so proud we did it for ourselves, our fans, and everyone back home. [Dame Noeline Taurua] had so much belief in us from the start, the first day we came in was this feeling in the group that Noles absolutely had belief in us. As we say, in Noles we trust, we backed ourselves and we did that for her and New Zealand.

"The [fans] have been incredible. There's been this little pocket of black in the corner, they've been chanting and backing us all the way and it's made all the difference a long way from home. Against difficult opposition, having that backing in those moments was huge."

Karin Burger: 'I don't think things really sink in until moments like this'

"It feels so good. This group's gone through so much and we've shown resilience and the Kiwi way of playing and doing everything for and with each other. The love we receive from the fans and back home is amazing.

"I think we really had the confidence throughout that entire game but [we knew we had won in] that last quarter, when we really put our foot down and made sure that we stayed clinical. In that last fifteen minutes, we gave it everything."

New Zealand unbeaten

This New Zealand squad will claim the gold medal with a perfect record at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and having led three of the four quarters today there is no doubt that the Silver Ferns are worthy winners.

End of Q4: New Zealand beat Jamaica 56-48

It's all over, the Silver Ferns are Champions! 16 long years are done, and New Zealand claim the Commonwealth crown in Glasgow.

Q4: Jamaica 48-56 New Zealand

Sterling battles the ball from Nweke, thirty seconds left. Aiken-George takes another goal, and this is surely it.

Q4: Jamaica 47-56 New Zealand

Heffernan's pass to Nweke goes high and Wilson grabs it. Aiken-George scores, but her efforts are short-lived as Nweke slots in more goals.

Q4: Jamaica 43-54 New Zealand

New Zealand show no sign of fatigue as they run circles around the Sunshine Girls. Jamaica get a big call in their favour, Nweke catches a pass but she's forced to hand it over. But seconds later, Aiken-George is called for pushing the ball into Jackson's hand and that advantage is taken away just as quickly.

Q4: Jamaica 39-49 New Zealand

Massive overhead pass from Georgia Heffernan to Nweke for their 44th point. Jamaica are scrambling, and now they take Grierson off for Nicole Dixon-Rochester. What can she do?

Q4: Jamaica 36-43 New Zealand

No change to the sevens, Jamaica keep their starting lineup while New Zealand keep Poi in Wing Attack where Gordon was in the first half.

The arena screams as Poi proves her worth, she snatches a pass intended for Wilson and off the Silver Ferns go again. Seven ahead.

One quarter left

What can Jamaica do? We saw a glimmer of them at their best, but New Zealand's resurgence soon seemed to snuff that out. Will they find that new gear again to pull back the five goals they need? Or will it be a third title for the Silver Ferns?

End of Q3: Jamaica 36-41 New Zealand

One minute left, and New Zealand have found their groove again. Jamaica were driving hard for a while there early in the quarter, but suddenly the Silver Ferns are absolutely everywhere.

Jamaica get a touch lucky at the final few seconds, a turnover sees Georgia Heffernan arrive at the shooting circle fast and free, but her shot goes over the net.

Q3: Jamaica 35-39 New Zealand

Nweke hits the rim again but her height allows her to snatch that rebound easily.

The Silver Ferns aren't backing down, a wonderful interception by GK Jackson sees the Kiwis pull ahead again. Then Burger tips a pass out of bounds, Beckford tries to pass to Aiken-George and Jackson blocks again! New Zealand sail four ahead.

Q3: Jamaica 34-34 New Zealand

The Jamaican defense are squeezing New Zealand hard, they are speeding up their play just as Aiken-George said they wanted to do. Nweke gets the penalty and delivers her 30th goal today, but Beckford equalises again.

Q3: Jamaica 29-30 New Zealand

The volume at the Hydro is ramping up as Jamaica bring the lead back down to one! Wilson snatches a pass on the transverse line and sends that ball straight down towards the goal third.

Then Beckford with a wonderful mid-range shot after a scrappy fight for space in the shooting circle.

Q3: Jamaica 26-29 New Zealand

And we're back! Nweke with her first miss, but she gets the rebound done. New Zealand bring on Kimiora Poi in Wing Attack.

Captain Karen Burger on the Silver Ferns' performance

In a finals, this is what's expected. We know we've done games like this, we knew it was going to be a grind. It's just been discipline when we do have the ball, and hustling really hard to get more of the ball.

Watch: all the action from the bronze medal match

Australia secured third place against the Roses earlier this morning 68-50.

'Shine bright like a diamond!' - Australia secure bronze after clinical display against England

Video credit: TNT Sports

Romelda Aiken-George on the first half:

At the moment we're playing the New Zealand style of game, we need to take it back to what we did at the game yesterday which is being calm and composed, cut and drive down the court instead of passing and standing.

End of Q2: Jamaica 25-28 New Zealand

Three quick passes down the right and the ball is in Georgia Heffernan's hands. It's quicky thrown into the net and they continue to keep Jamaica at bay.

The Sunshine Girls won't be counted out however, they've kept the scoring even with 12 goals each in this quarter and they look to be warming up better and better.

Q2: Jamaica 22-24 New Zealand

The height that Nweke has over Sterling is doing her a world of good, the Heffernans are working hard to deliver her that ball and she's delivering goal after goal for the Kiwis.

Jamaica win another turnover, Beckford drives into the shooting circle for the pass from Grierson and it's a tidy goal.

Q2: Jamaica 18-21 New Zealand

Aiken-George catches a pass behind a wall of three Silver Ferns, and Jamaica are driving hard at New Zealand's goal third. They bring the gap back to two after hard fought turnovers, but Nweke contines to shine when she has the ball, she's been perfect at the net so far today.

Q2: Jamaica 13-17 New Zealand

Jamaica from the centre circle to get us underway, Aiken-George can't get the rebound and the gap grows again as New Zealand score again.

End of Q1: Jamaica 13-16 New Zealand

Big steal by captain Sterling! She snatches the pass intended for Nweke with 15 seconds on the clock, and the Sunshine Girls move it down the court to Aiken-George who gets the goal in on time.

Q1: Jamaica 11-15 New Zealand

Big pass across the width of the court from Jamaica centre Plummer to her GD Wilson, and Aiken-George rewards that with a goal.

New Zealand then win a turnover to drop Jamaica further back, the crowd cheers as Georgia Heffernan sends a chest pass to a wide-open Nweke in the shooting circle.

Jamaica in a touch of early trouble as the Silver Ferns are playing like a well-oiled machine.

Q1: Jamaica 9-11 New Zealand

Cheeky bounce off the goal post from Georgia Heffernan to score after an out-of-bounds ball that Sterling swears she didn't touch.

On the other end of the court, Aiken-George keeps a ball in play by her fingertips and scores to keep the Sunshine Girls within two.

Q1: Jamaica 4-7 New Zealand

The first miss! Aiken-George can't quite get the ball over the ring and New Zealand pull ahead for the first time

Q1: Jamaica 3-3 New Zealand

The Silver Ferns with the first goal courtesy of Nweke, but Aiken-George responds quickly to even the score. A couple of calls for contact by New Zealand, the two teams have matched each other goal for goal.

Here we go...

The players are introduced and the countdown is called... off we go!

The Starting Sevens

Jamaica: Romelda Aiken-George, Shanice Beckford, Brie Grierson, Crystal Plummer, Jodi-Ann Ward, Latanya Wilson, Shamera Sterling.

New Zealand: Kelly Jackson, Karin Burger, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Kate Heffernan, Maddy Gordon, Georgia Heffernan, Grace Nweke

Head to Head

Jamaica and New Zealand have met at all but one Games in 1998. Since then, the Silver Ferns have had the better record of 5 wins to Jamaica's 2. But not counting this year's group stage, Jamaica's two victories have come in consecutive years, 67-51 in the 2022 semi-finals, and 60-55 in 2018 for the bronze medal.

This will be their first finals faceoff, and with New Zealand having two titles under their belt, can the Sunshine Girls find a way past them to win their first gold medal?

Have your say

How to watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games is entering a new era with TNT Sports and HBO Max set to deliver a never-before-seen viewing experience, with every event from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland.

Watch and stream every event from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across TNT Sports and all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland.

How Jamaica got to the final

Again, Jamaica have only dropped one game here in Glasgow, to New Zealand just a week ago . They will surely be bolstered by their stunning win over Australia though, can the Sunshine Girls ride that high and cruise to victory?

Jamaica 81-22 Trinidad and Tobago

New Zealand 53-48 Jamaica

Jamaica 55-49 Uganda

Jamaica 45-43 Scotland

Jamaica 74-28 Wales

Jamaica 46-45 Australia

New Zealand's road to the finals

The Silver Ferns have only won one more game than their opponenents, but crucially, that was the matchup against Jamaica in the Group Stage. Can they do it again?

Their results:

New Zealand 74-44 Scotland

New Zealand 53-48 Jamaica

New Zealand 58-50 Uganda

New Zealand 65-37 Wales

New Zealand 83-23 Trinidad and Tobago

New Zealand 61-54 England

Good morning!

Welcome to our live coverage as Jamaica take on New Zealand in the final, looking to continue their good fortune after they shocked defending champions Australia 46-45 yesterday.

All the action kicks off at 1PM BST.

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The Commonwealth Games is entering a new era with TNT Sports and HBO Max set to deliver a never-before-seen viewing experience, with every event from Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland.

Commonwealth Games Netball