Last year was a disappointing one for netball in New Zealand, with the Silver Ferns missing out on a medal for the first time in their rich Netball World Cup history.
After the Ferns lost to Jamaica in the bronze medal match in Cape Town, it raises the question: Is the ANZ Premiership of a high enough standard for New Zealand to compete at top international level? Especially with players from England and Jamaica now regular starters in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball league and facing high quality international exposure weekly.
For the meantime, the Kiwi competition remains unchanged, with limited import rules, and a few New Zealand netballers sacrificing their future in the Silver Ferns for seemingly higher levels of competition offshore.
The ANZ Premiership starts on Saturday, with reigning champs the Northern Mystics taking on the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. Look out for the new world netball rules now in effect – like tactical changes, removal of the toss-up, changes to the short pass and new moves to sanction players who consistently break the rules.
LockerRoom looks at the six teams, their changes and odds of making the finals this year.
Northern Mystics
2023 finish: 1st
2024 team: Tayla Earle, Hannah Glen, Catherine Hall, Phoenix Karaka, Grace Nweke, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Carys Stythe, Katie Te Ao, Peta Toeava, Filda Vui.
In: Glen (Tactix/injury), Hall (training partner)
Out: Sulu Fitzpatrick (retired), Monica Falkner (maternity)
Coach: Tia Winikerei
The reigning ANZ Premiership champions come into the 2024 season with a strong team who will be confident of a repeat. Stalwart Sulu Fitzpatrick has retired, promoting previous training partner Catherine Hall to a full contract.
Goal shoot Grace Nweke was easily the most dominant goal shooter in last year’s competition, scoring 825 goals at 92 percent accuracy. After finishing top of the table, the Mystics comfortably defeated the Stars by 18 goals in the grand final.
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson will lead the team, supported by vice-captain Phoenix Karaka. Coach Tia Winikerei lifted the trophy in her first year in charge, so the team will have high levels of confidence of making another final this year.
Stars
2023 finish: 2nd
2024 team: Kate Burley, Holly Fowler, Amorangi Malesala, Lisa Mather, Khanyè-Lii Munro-Nanoa, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Rahni Samason, Emma Thompson, Lili Tokaduadua, Maia Wilson
In: Burley (Steel), Mather (UK), Munro-Nanoa (NNL), Samason (Melbourne Vixens), Thompson (Tactix training partner), Tokaduadua (NNL)
Out: Gina Crampton (Australia), Jamie Hume (Australia), Samon Nathan (maternity), Kelera Nawai-Caucau (maternity), Lisa Putt, Elle Temu (Australia)
Coach: Kiri Wills
The Stars have been ANZ Premiership runners-up three times, but never lifted the trophy. They have one of the most changed teams this year, losing a lot of experienced heads.
The trio of midcourter Gina Crampton (68 Silver Fern caps), shooter Jamie Hume and defender Elle Temu have all gone to pursue netball opportunities in Australia (although Crampton has already been called in to play this week as an injury cover).
The Stars have always had a strong attacking end, and stalwart Maia Wilson will pair up with Amorangi Malesala again – but look for Wilson out at goal attack more with the inclusion of Rahni Samason in the squad. Samason joins the Stars from Australia, where she’s played for the Melbourne Vixens and will bring a new style to the shooting circle.
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Kate Burley and Holly Fowler will provide the experience in the purple dress, but the Stars have a big hurdle to overcome in order to reach the finals again.
Central Pulse
2023 finish: 3rd
2024 team: Maddy Gordon, Fa’amu Ioane, Kelea Iongi, Kelly Jackson (née Jury), Parris Mason, Tiana Metuarau, Parris Petera, Whitney Souness, Amelia Walmsley, Khiarna Williams
In: Iongi (Australia), Petera (Tactix), Williams (injury)
Out: Kristiana Manu’a (Australia), Joyce Mvula (Malawi), Ainsleyana Puleiata (injured)
Coach: Anna Andrews-Tasola
The Pulse are one of the most consistent performers in the ANZ Premiership, winning three titles and being runners-up twice. They also have a fairly unchanged team roster, so look strong, even with a new coach, former Pulse assistant Anna Andrews-Tasola.
Shooter Joyce Mvula returns to Malawi after little court time last season, with the Ferns duo of Amelia Walmsley and Tiana Metuarau now joined by Khiarna Williams – returning to netball after a long period of injury and rehab. Walmsley has high volume under the post, and will have more confidence after making her Ferns debut in September.
The midcourt trio of Maddy Gordon, Whitney Souness, Fa’amu Ioane will continue their strong links with their shooters, while Kelly Jackson (née Jury) holds up the defensive circle. Jackson won the Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award last year, the honour given to the best New Zealand netballer across all competitions.
Mainland Tactix
2023 finish: 4th
2024 team: Jess Allan, Karin Burger, Aliyah Dunn, Kate Lloyd, Paris Lokotui, Erikana Pedersen, Kimiora Poi, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Greer Sinclair, Jane Watson
In: Allan (training partner), Lokotui (injury) Pedersen (retirement).
Out: Vika Koloto (NNL), Laura Malcom (England), Parris Petera (Pulse)
Coach: Marianne Delaney-Hoshek
On paper, the Tactix look strong, with few off-season changes, and consistent, calm-headed performers throughout the court.
They boast one of the most impressive defensive ends, with the duo of Karin Burger and Jane Watson known to be a nuisance to the best shooters. Greer Sinclair had her season cut short by injury last year, but has the potential to be a key player for the side.
They have one early setback in their campaign with shooter Aliyah Dunn ruled out of the first two rounds with a knee injury. Former Australian U21 shooter Charlie Bell comes into the side, joining the experienced Te Paea Selby-Rickit, who continues her steady reliance at goal attack. Erikana Pedersen returns to netball, pairing up with captain Kimiora Poi and Paris Lokotui in the midcourt.
With Marianne Delaney-Hoshek leading the team once again, the Tactix will certainly be pushing for a spot in the finals this year.
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
2023 finish: 5th
2024 team: Reeghan de Bono, Georgie Edgecombe, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Oceane Maihi, Erena Mikaere, Claire O’Brien, Ivana Rowland, Georgia Takarangi (née Tong), Saviour Tui, Ali Wilshier
In: de Bono (training partner), Maihi (injury), O’Brien (Mystics), Tui (Steel), Wilshier (UK)
Out: Amy Christophers, Charlotte Elley, Claire Kersten (retired), Bailey Mes (retired)
Coach: Mary-Jane Araroa
The Magic lose the experience of Bailey Mes (76 Ferns caps) and Claire Kersten (22 caps), both retiring at the end of last season. But they’ll be led by Ameliaranne Ekenasio, the 70-cap Silver Fern, who’s captained the national team on multiple occasions.
Saviour Tui continues to bounce around ANZ Premiership teams, and will be looking for more court time with the Magic in the shooting circle with Ekenasio and Ivana Rowland.
Oceane Maihi returns from an ACL injury to pair up with veteran Erena Mikaere and Georgia Takarangi in the defensive end.
They’re a team with the potential to go far, but sometimes can’t put a full 60 minutes together, so the Magic will want to come out the gates firing to show other teams they’re competitive.
Southern Steel
2023 finish: 6th
2024 team: Ivari Christie, Taneisha Fifita, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Heffernan, Abby Lawson, Grace Namana, Jennifer O’Connell, Shannon Saunders, Renee Savai’inaea, Jeanté Strydom
In: Fifita, Lawson, Namana, O’Connell, Saunders (maternity), Strydom (South Africa),
Out: Eseta Autagavaia, Kate Burley (Stars), Courtney Elliot, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit (retired), Saviour Tui (Magic), Sam Winders (Australia)
Coach: Reinga Bloxham
The Steel had a horror 2023, losing all their 15 games, not helped by a pre-season knee injury to English import shooter George Fisher. Southland fans were excited for her return this year, but unfortunately Fisher’s rehab has not progressed enough for her to take the court.
Jen O’Connell returns to netball after a stint with the Southern Hoiho in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league – a tall goal shooter with accuracy under the hoop. Georgia Heffernan will be eager to step up in the shooting circle, after making her Silver Ferns debut earlier this year.
The Steel midcourt looks strong – Shannon Saunders returning from welcoming her first child, daughter Madison, in February last year, and joining Silver Fern Kate Heffernan.
South African Jeanté Strydom adds international flavour to the defensive end, after the retirement of Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, who played over 200 domestic games, and is now on the Tactix coaching bench. But the Steel face a big challenge if they want to leap up the ladder.
*The ANZ Premiership kicks off with the Northern Mystics vs the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic on Saturday at 4pm (live on Sky Sport 3 and free-to-air on TVNZ2). The Stars take on the Central Pulse on Sunday at 4pm (Sky Sport 1) and the round concludes on Monday at 7.30, with the Tactix facing the Steel (Sky Sport 1).
