New players set to light up in new colours

We take a look at the new faces who will take to the court in 2019 for all six ANZ Premiership teams.

NORTHERN MYSTICS

2018 Finish: 4th
New Signings: Kristina Brice, Tayla Earle, Emma Iversen, Grace Kukutai, Erena Mikaere.
Not Returning: Tera-Maria Amani, Maria Folau, Anna Harrison, Samon Nathan, Storm Purvis.

Emma Iversen brings flair and experience to the Mystics midcourt having previously played for the Northern Stars and in 2018 was captain of the Northern Comets in the BEKO Netball League.

The Mystics also have new young talent in Tayla Earle, Grace Kukutai who is on a full contract having spent 2018 as a dedicated training partner, and experienced defender Erena Mikaere who returns to New Zealand after four seasons in Australia.

Completing the team is Australian import Kristina Brice who is a prolific shooter and will bring an exciting dimension to the Mystics’ attack.

NORTHERN STARS

2018 Finish: 6th
New Signings: Temepara Bailey, Leana De Bruin, Charlee Hodges, Storm Purvis, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan.
Not Returning: Grace Kara (pregnant), Ama Agbeze, Paula Griffin, Fa’amu Ioane (injured), Christina Oscar.

The Stars have bolstered the defensive end with the signings of Northern Stars foundation player Leana De Bruin, back from a season with the Adelaide Thunderbirds along with Storm Purvis from the Northern Mystics.

Also joining the Stars are Mila Reuelu-Buchanan moving north from the Central Pulse and Australian import Charlee Hodges (GA), who has played the last two seasons with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, impressing with her speed, agility and hunger to put up the shots.

The short turnaround between seasons means Fa'amu Ioane, who has recently undergone an ACL reconstructive surgery will be unavailable for the season while Temepara Bailey comes in as player-coach to replace former captain Grace Kara who is pregnant.

WAIKATO BAY OF PLENTY MAGIC

2018 Finish: 5th
New Signings: Lisa Mather, Abigail Latu-Meafou, Kelsey McPhee, Jenna O’Sullivan.
Not Returning: Katherine Levien, Kate Lloyd, Amorangi Malesala, Lenize Potgieter, Hayley Saunders.

The return of key defenders Casey Kopua and Kelly Jury from injury will be complemented by the signing of Jenna O’Sullivan who makes the step up from the Beko Netball League, having made a seamless transition into the Premiership when called on to cover injury late in the 2018 season.

Kelsey McPhee has also earned promotion to the ANZ Premiership as reward for a stand-out Beko Netball League season while New Zealand-born shooter Abigail Latu-Meafou is another new having played for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the 2018 Australian Super League.

Sydney Fraser returns from an injury-plagued two years while Lisa Mather, who made her Magic debut earlier this year as injury cover, is also included.

TE WANANGA o RAUKAWA PULSE

2018 Finish: 2^nd
New Signings: Maddy Gordon, Elle Temu
Not Returning: Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Renee Savai’inaea.

With the core of their squad remaining intact, the Pulse have added two key performers for this year’s winning Central Beko Netball League team in midcourter Maddy Gordon and in-circle defender Elle Temu.

Temu, who captained the successful team to back-to-back titles and the livewire Gordon, who scooped the MVP award in the Grand Final, were both part of the Pulse team at this year’s Super Club tournament.

MAINLAND TACTIX

2018 Finish: 3^rd
New Signings: Kate Lloyd, Lily Marshall.
Not Returning: Jess MacLennan (injured), Zoe Walker (injured).

New signings for the Tactix in 2019 are Ashburton-born defender and New Zealand Under-21 World Youth Cup winner Kate Lloyd, and Lily Marshall who has come through the Netball Mainland player development pathway.

Missing from this year’s squad are defenders Jess MacLennan and Zoe Walker who were not considered as they continue their rehab from injury.

ASCOT PARK HOTEL SOUTHERN STEEL

2018 Finish: 1^st
New Signings: Kate Heffernan, Kendall McMinn, Lenize Potgieter.
Not Returning: Olivia Bates, Wendy Frew, Dani Gray.

The defending champions have signed midcourter Kate Heffernan after an impressive debut season as a replacement player this year along with Kendall McMinn.

South African shooter Lenize Potgieter bolsters the side having had a great season with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic last season.

ANZ PREMIERSHIP 2019 SQUADS
(NEW CONTRACTED PLAYERS IN BOLD)