NETBALL'S Commonwealth champions will be getting in some pre-2014 practice when they arrive in Glasgow.

New Zealand team the Silver Ferns will play Scotland's Thistles twice in January.

The Scottish dates are ahead of games south of the border against England and Jamaica.

The Ferns' coach Waimarama Taumaunu said: "This long-haul tour is going to be vital to our preparations going forward as it will be the last time we have together before the Commonwealth Games."

The game attracts good crowds: the World Youth Netball Championships were held in August and more than 6000 netball fans were at Glasgow's Emirates Arena to watch.

With 200 delegates from around the world there to support the 20 teams, it was the highest-attended netball event held in Scotland.

Around 3000 fans were at the opening night to watch Scotland's 72-21 win against the Cayman Islands.

Netball Scotland chief executive Maggie Murray said: "I will pay any money to watch the top world-ranked teams play our beautiful game, and I can't believe that we have this truly unprecedented opportunity to watch the world No.1s, the Silver Ferns, play here on our doorstep in Scotland.

"It is my hope that our netball community will be there in their droves and get right into the netball experience just as they did during the World Youth Championships in August."

The Thistles v Silver Ferns matches are at 6pm on Sunday January 12 and at 7pm on Tuesday January 14 2014.

After that the teams will next meet on Saturday July 26 when they face each other in the Commonwealth Games tournament at the SECC.

Tickets to attend the January games are available from Saturday December 23 from Glasgow Life on 0141 353 8000. They cost £3 for children and £6 for adults for a single game or £5 for children and £10 for adults to attend both games.