Pulse sign first five for 2017

Ameliaranne Ekenasio (nee Wells), Whitney Souness, Claire Kersten, Karin Burger and Sheridan Bignall are the first five signings announced for the Central Pulse ahead of the 2017 ANZ Netball Elite League.

The recently married Ekenasio was yesterday named in the Silver Ferns team for the upcoming Netball Quad Series and will be a key component of coach Yvette McCausland-Durie’s line-up.

“Ameliaranne has huge leadership potential and getting an experienced shooter of Silver Ferns calibre is massive for us,” McCausland-Durie said.

“While she is a senior player, there is lots of scope for her to continue to develop and grow her game from a playing point of view as well as a leader.

“There’s not many specialist goal attacks around at the moment, so it will be a huge asset to have her ability and experience. It’s a significant feature looking ahead that she has recommitted to the Pulse.”

After first making the Pulse team in 2015, Souness, 20, missed the entire 2016 season with a serious knee injury and was replaced by the hard-working and reliable Kersten.

Bignall and Burger will make the step up to the elite level after delivering consistently strong performances in this year’s inaugural Beko Netball League where the pair helped Netball Central to a second place finish.

“I’m really happy with these five signings,” McCausland-Durie said.

“They are good people and good people make for good players and that’s critical in our forward building.

“I’m really excited about the whole season…..there’s a new competition, a new year, new opportunities and I have absolute faith in the potential of this group and their contribution to our fortunes in the future.”