The Aurora Series: England Thorns Set for Historic Clash Against World #1 Australia
- president
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 24
For the first time ever, world #1 — the Kelpies, Australia’s men’s netball team — will travel to England to take on the England men’s netball team, The Thorns, currently ranked among the top men’s teams in the world.
The Aurora Series, a three-match international test series, will take place at the Copper Box Arena in London and the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. Each match will be played as a double-header alongside Netball Super League (NSL) fixtures, giving fans the chance to experience elite men’s and women’s netball together.
This marks a historic first for men’s netball — not only is it Australia’s first tour to England, but it’s also the first time an international men’s series is being showcased alongside the NSL, helping to attract new audiences and bring greater visibility to the sport.
History - The England Thorns
The England Thorns played their first ever international fixture against the Kelpies in Sydney in 2022, as part of a double header with the Australian Diamonds and England Roses.
Since then, the Thorns have continued to rise — competing at the FAST5 Netball World Series in New Zealand, hosting the Jamaican men’s team in 2023, and touring to St Kitts & Nevis in 2024 to take part in the Americas Netball Men’s Championships, where they faced seven international sides including Jamaica, the USA, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Now, with a new-look squad full of fresh talent and belief, the Thorns are ready to show just how far they’ve come since that first match in Sydney.
Men’s netball in England has seen rapid growth, with male participation more than tripling since the Thorns’ first tour in 2022. With the NSL moving toward professionalisation this season, there are more eyes on netball than ever before — and the Thorns are proud to be part of that momentum.
Introducing The Aurora Series
The name Aurora symbolises new beginnings and transformation, reflecting the incredible growth of men’s netball internationally. Inspired by the Northern & Southern Lights (Aurora Borealis & Aurora Australis), it also serves as a subtle link between England and Australia—two nations driving the expansion of men’s netball worldwide.
Fixture Details & Ticket Information
Game 1 – Sunday, 25 May @ 15:30 | Copper Box Arena, London (Double Header with London Pulse - NSL). Link for Game 1 Tickets.
Game 2 – Saturday, 31 May @ 12:00 | Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham (Double Header with Loughborough Lightning - NSL). Link for Game 2 Tickets
Game 3 – Sunday, 1 June @15:30 | Copper Box Arena, London (Double Header with London Pulse - NSL) Link for Game 3 Tickets
🎟 One Ticket, More Netball!
Tickets include both the Netball Super League match and The Aurora Series game, giving fans a double dose of elite netball.
Broadcast & Global Streaming
We are currently exploring broadcast options for The Aurora Series. If a broadcast deal is not secured, the matches will be live-streamed globally via an online platform (TBC).
A Landmark Moment for Men’s Netball
This series represents a major milestone for men’s netball, providing elite competition, global exposure, and a platform for growth.
Ryan Allan, President of EMMNA:
"We’re absolutely thrilled to be hosting the best men’s team in the world, the Kelpies, in England for the first time. This series is a huge moment for men’s netball and a testament to how much the men’s game is growing internationally."
"We appreciate the opportunity to play this series as double-headers alongside the Netball Super League fixtures with London Pulse and Loughborough Lightning. Showcasing men’s netball in these arenas will attract even more people to the games and reinforce that netball is truly a sport for all."
Andrew Simons, President of AMMNA:
"AMMNA and the Kelpies thank EMMNA, the England Thorns, and the NSL for their support on this exciting tour, as we venture into the Northern Hemisphere for the first time. Being able to showcase this great game to new audiences during this landmark series reinforces the global expansion of men’s netball. We look forward to this series being the beginning of a great rivalry between our two countries."
📢 For media enquiries, interviews, and further information, please contact:
👤 Ryan Allan
📩 Email: Media@englandmmna.com
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