Rising young defender Laura Balmer joined the Pulse ahead of the 2025 season as a replacement player for Taneisha Tofa (nee Fifita), who withdrew due to pregnancy. Studying medicine at Otago University, the 1.9m goalkeeper has played in the National Netball League for the past two seasons with the Southern Blast and is a member of the NZ U21 squad, and looking for a big season to press her claims for a spot in the team to contest the World Youth Cup in Gibraltar later this year. Halfway through her medical studies, Balmer is pausing the degree and will concentrate on an integrated Bachelor of Arts course over the next 12 months while making the most of her netball opportunities. The willowy defender had one game for the Southern Steel last season while sitting on the bench for another and is keen to make the most of her unexpected opportunity with the Pulse.
