Former Silver Fern Tania Dalton remembered at World Masters Games

There was a poignant start to the World Masters Games netball competition in Auckland with a moment's silence held in honour of Tania Dalton.

Friends and teammates of the former Silver Fern wiped away tears before embarking on their Masters campaign and playing in her memory.

Ms Dalton has a special place in each player's heart - the team is named 'T Bags' in her honour.

"Primarily because she loves a good cup of tea - so obviously when she passed away it was just a no-brainer that we were going to change our name and play in memory of her," says fellow former Silver Fern Anna Stanley.

Ms Dalton died in last month after suffering a brain aneurism.

She had been due to compete in the World Masters Games.

"The fact that they've gone to this length to acknowledge and recognise Tania and what she contributed to netball, [is] just super special for the family," says her husband, Duane Dalton.

It's special too for her old teammates who say Ms Dalton has become the driving force behind their Masters campaign.

"Everything's been for Tarn. And I said, even driving here, I had tears. Because she's so...she was part of the team all the way through, and she still is," says former Silver Fern Leonie Leaver.

The Masters team hopes they will inspire the younger generation through the Tania Dalton Foundation, which supports sports training for underprivileged children.

Newshub.