The triumphant MG Mystics squad of 2023 will once again pull on the blue dress next season with the announcement that nine of the current squad will return, in addition to a promising young shooter.
In a fitting farewell, captain Sulu Fitzpatrick bowed out in style after leading the MG Mystics to a dominant 74-56 win over the Robinhood Stars in the 2023 ANZ Premiership Grand Final in Hamilton on Sunday.
We take a look at Sunday’s 2023 ANZ Premiership Grand Final between the MG Mystics and Robinhood Stars in Hamilton.
When Mystics and Silver Ferns star Sulu Fitzpatrick announced her retirement from professional sport more than a year out from her final game, it sent the netball world into a spin.
Based in Auckland, the Northern Mystics were formed in 2007 and represent the Netball Northern Zone whose geographical region stretches from Kaitaia to Waiuku. The Northern Zone has 17 Netball Centres and four satellite venues. The Zone makes up 34 percent of the playing population in New Zealand.
Effectively a merger between the two former National Bank Cup teams, Northern Force and Auckland Diamonds, the Mystics subsequently became founder members of the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship in 2008.
The Mystics remained for the duration of the ANZ Championship, which ended in 2016, and since 2017 have represented Netball Northern in the ANZ Premiership. Netball Northern is the governing body that represents the Auckland and Northland regions.
Yvonne Willering became the Mystics first coach, in 2007, and Temepara Bailey (nee George) its first player.
The Mystics had their best season in the ANZ Championship in 2011 when the Debbie Fuller-coached team made the Grand Final but had to settle for the runners-up spot when losing to the Queensland Firebirds. They finished third in 2012.
In the ANZ Premiership, introduced in 2017, the Mystics clinched their first-ever domestic silverware after a 14-year wait when winning the 2021 title.
The Mystics’ playing strip is predominantly blue while their home venues are The Trusts Arena, Eventfinda Stadium and Vector Arena.