Pulse launch new era with diverse mix

Despite her team undergoing a mass transformation, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola cuts an excited figure ahead of the upcoming 2026 ANZ Premiership netball season.

With a review of the Silver Ferns selection policy by Netball New Zealand opening the door for New Zealand’s top players to test the waters overseas, the Pulse have been hit hard by the departures of the core of their well-established team with just three players returning from last season.

The Pulse and the Tactix have the most changes of all the teams with both losing seven coming into the new season but for Andrews-Tasola it’s business as usual.

"It’s definitely a good challenge,’’ she said. "I think our history over the last couple of years of having lots of new people come into our environment because of the long list of injuries that we had, has kind of prepared us for this moment.

"I think it’s going to be a really exciting competition because the teams don’t know each other. Previously, all the teams have pretty much known each other, played against each other or with each other in recent years, so this is going to be a really fresh and dynamic competition with lots of new rivalries which I’m excited about.’’

Retaining talented shooter Khiarna Williams, sparkling midcourter Ainsleyana Puleiata and rangy defender Parris Mason, the Pulse have gathered a diverse mix from a variety of backgrounds through strong off-season recruitment.

With former Silver Ferns captain and influential shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio returning to Pulse colours after a four-year absence, seasoned all-rounders in the form of Australian midcourt duo Lili Gorman-Brown (a former Swift player) and Emma Thompson (who has experience in the New Zealand league) and former accomplished South Africa international shooter Iné-Mari Venter, the yellow-and-blacks have plenty of clout.

Rounding out the mix, rising young Queensland defender Holly Comyns and local talent in the form of midcourter Erana Ngarimu and defender Madi Thomas, the Pulse will have the element of surprise in their favour.

"Every week at training, we’re surprising ourselves, really,’’ Andrews-Tasola said. "What is really great is the different strengths and the variety that we have, the international flavour with our Australia and South Africa imports and just the variety around the experience that we have, combined with the young fresh energy.’’

Mostly foreign to playing with each other, a key focus for the Pulse has been putting plenty of work into the off-court connection, getting to know each other and being able to transfer that to the on-court product.

"There is a positive buzz and they’re noisy, that’s for sure, which is a good sign,’’ Andrews-Tasola said. "They’re working really hard and we’ve got that good balance of working hard but also having fun. It’s been pretty awesome in the short amount of time that we have been together and already seeing our growth, both as individuals and as a team unit.

"We have a proud legacy here at the Pulse and the expectation is that we always want to do our best and that includes winning. The players that have chosen to come here know that is our legacy, have stood up, embraced it and that is a really positive start.’’