Pulse and Te Wānanga o Raukawa renew partnership

Helping build the foundation for the team’s success, Te Wānanga o Raukawa has extended its partnership with the Pulse for a third successive ANZ Premiership season in 2019.

Since first partnering with the tikanga Māori tertiary education provider in 2017, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse have posted the most successful two seasons in their history after reaching back-to-back grand finals.

The positive off-court support has helped build an impressive on-court product, Netball Central Zone CEO Fran Scholey delighted the pair will be teaming up again in 2019.

“We welcome and appreciate our on-going partnership with Te Wānanga o Raukawa as we continue to build on our empowerment of women through sport and to spread appreciation, knowledge and awareness for our Te Reo Māori language,” Scholey said.

“Te Wānanga o Raukawa brings much more than just sponsorship to the franchise, the partnership being held in high regard throughout our organisation from the players to the Zone staff for its collaborative approach in helping everyone achieve.

“Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse are committed to the kaupapa (principal) of te reo Māori within our game and the continued presence of te reo through our social media channels, at events and in the team and staff environment.”

Positive feedback from the players and management to fully embrace the principles of the partnership has reinforced the successful impact it is having on and off the court.

Having started their pre-season training earlier this week, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse will launch their 2019 campaign more formally in December with a traditional pōwhiri and camp at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, in Ōtaki. This will offer the chance to imbed a clear understanding of the team’s kaupapa and tikanga (values and practices) that will set the tone for the upcoming season.

For the third year running, Te Wānanga o Raukawa will host the six ANZ Premiership teams in Ōtaki for its traditional pre-season tournament which will also offer a tikanga Māori experience to all participants.

The tournament will be held from February 8-10, two weeks out from the start of the ANZ Premiership, and will feature 11 games over three days - an increase from previous years. More detail about the pre-season will be released in mid-December.