THE Commonwealth netball champions are heading to Glasgow in preparation for the Games.

New Zealand's Silver Ferns will play two ­exhibition matches against the Scottish Thistles at the Emirates Arena, kicking off this weekend.

The home team, who are currently ranked 12th in the international rankings, will take on the New Zealand side in the preliminary rounds of the Commonwealth Games.

The exhibition matches, part of a 16-day UK tour by the Ferns, will give sports fans a taste of what they will see when the teams meet again at the SECC during Glasgow 2014.

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."

Maggie Murray, chief executive officer for Netball Scotland, 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 number ones, 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 games will be held at 6pm on Sunday and at 7pm on Tuesday.

Tickets are £3 for children and £6 for adults for a single game, or £5 for children and £10 for adults for both games. Call Glasgow Life's box office on 0141 353 8000.

matty.sutton@ eveningtimes.co.uk