Netball Legends Honoured with New Plummer-Aitken Medal for Constellation Cup Excellence

A new chapter in the storied trans-Tasman netball rivalry has been written with the introduction of the Plummer-Aitken Medal, a prestigious award set to crown the standout player of the Constellation Cup series. Announced on Sunday, 18 October 2026, the medal pays tribute to two of the game’s most iconic figures: legendary Silver Ferns coach Dame Ruth Aitken and former Australian Diamonds coach Norma Plummer AM. The award will be presented for the first time following the conclusion of the 2026 Constellation Cup. Unlike traditional player-of-the-match honours, this medal recognises the individual who makes the most significant contribution across the entire four-test series. Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Jennah Wootten stated that the medal reflects the competitive spirit and mutual respect that define the rivalry between the two nations. The naming of the medal celebrates an extraordinary era of international netball. Between 2004 and 2011, Dame Ruth and Norma Plummer faced each other 35 times as national coaches, with the win-loss record separated by just a single game. Both women achieved the rare feat of winning Netball World Cup titles as both players and coaches, and both were at the helm when the Constellation Cup was first introduced in 2010. Dame Ruth Aitken, a cornerstone of high performance in Aotearoa, led the Silver Ferns to World Cup glory in 2003 and a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2006. She described the joint honour as a reflection of the deep respect developed over years of intense competition. The inaugural recipient of the Plummer-Aitken Medal will be announced on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, following the final match of the series at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena.