Jackson Heads To Firebirds For 2026 Season

All set for a new challenge, rangy Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse defender Kelly Jackson, a three-time Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award winner, will line up for the Queensland Firebirds in the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) league.

A recent review of the Silver Ferns selection policy by Netball New Zealand (NNZ) has given New Zealand’s top players the opportunity to ply their trade overseas and for Jackson, 28, the timing is just right.

``Reflecting on my age, where I’m at in my career and, also, NNZ revising the exemption process, it just really felt like an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,’’ Jackson said.

``I was fortunate enough to play two years in the (former) ANZ Championship and got to experience playing against all the Australians and other internationals on a weekly basis which was a pretty cool experience.

``And I guess the thought of playing in the SSN has been in the back of my mind for a little while now and has been on my netball bucket list, so I’m really excited for the challenge ahead.

``I want to use this opportunity to grow my game, both on and off the court. I think it’s really important to put yourself in uncomfortable positions. I haven’t lived overseas before and obviously haven’t played in that league before so it’s all going to be very new and a challenge I’m really excited for.’’

Spending four years with the Magic when starting her elite level career as a teenager, Jackson, originally from Taranaki, moved to the Pusle in 2020 where injury-free and a growing maturity pushed her game to new levels.

In the Pulse environment, Jackson’s game just got better and better, the accolades for the 1.92m last line of defence coming thick and fast ever since through her ball-winning abilities, courtesy of an impressive wing span, long lean, rebounding skills and strong positional play, to stamp her mark as the country’s top goalkeeper. And a fan favourite.

She won two ANZ Premiership titles with the Pulse in 2020 and 2022 while in a rare treble, was anointed the Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award winner between 2022 and 2024, acknowledging her as the country’s best player. She was also the ANZ Premiership Player of the Year in 2022 and the Pulse’s Player of the Year in 2025.

Jackson has played a total of 127 matches for the Pulse and Magic across the ANZC and ANZP.
The competitive spirit certainly lurks close to the surface but Jackson is also blessed with an easy-going unruffled temperament which has gone hand-in-hand with her leadership qualities, thriving with the extra demands and rising to captain the Pulse this year after three years as co-captain.

``It wasn’t an easy decision to leave the Pulse. I’ve spent six years here and when I made the decision to come to the Pulse it was to be a better netballer, to win some Premierships, while also to represent my home region, and I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to do all three,’’ Jackson said.

``I don’t want to make any promises I can’t keep about coming back but we’ll see, and who knows? I definitely want to keep the door open because we don’t always know what’s going to happen.’’

With a hectic international season looming for the Silver Ferns involving a home series against South Africa (Taini Jamison Trophy) in September, the home and away Constellation Cup showdown with Australia in October and a northern tour to Scotland and England in November, Jackson has plenty on her plate.

With the SSN pre-season starting in October for non-international players, Jackson will be afforded a break before joining her new team in January and leaving husband Cam to keep the home fires burning in Wellington.

``Cam’s going to stay back in New Zealand. He’s got a good job at Wellington Airport and we’ve also got our house here, so he’ll hold down the fort while I’m away,’’ she said.

Rising to the loftiest of standards, Jackson’s influence and presence during her time at the Pulse cannot be under-stated.

``It has been a pleasure having Kelly with us at the Pulse,’’ Netball Central Director of High Performance Waimarama Taumaunu said.

``She is the ultimate team person and we acknowledge her tremendous growth as a player and a leader, and the work she has put in to achieve that. We are immensely grateful for having had Kelly in our mix and wish her nothing but the best.’’

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