Central Pulse are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship. Since 2017 they have represented Netball Central in the ANZ Premiership. Netball Central is the governing body that represents the Hawke's Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki and Wellington Regions. Pulse were 2019, 2020 and 2022 ANZ Premiership winners. They also won the 2018 Netball New Zealand Super Club tournament.
History Formation Central Pulse were formed in 2007. The new team was effectively a merger of two former National Bank Cup teams, Capital Shakers and Western Flyers. Pulse subsequently became founder members of the ANZ Championship. The former Australia head coach, Jill McIntosh was appointed director of coaching, Singapore head coach, Kate Carpenter, was appointed head coach and England international, Sonia Mkoloma, became the team's first player.
ANZ Championship Between 2008 and 2016, Central Pulse played in the ANZ Championship. On 5 April 2008, Pulse hosted the very first ANZ Championship match at the TSB Bank Arena, losing 33–50 to Melbourne Vixens. During the early ANZ Championship era, Pulse struggled to establish themselves both on and off the court. In 2008, Pulse suffered a winless season. The only point they gained was by default. In their Round 10 match against West Coast Fever, a leaky roof at Challenge Stadium saw the match called off and declared a draw. Each team received one point. Carpenter was subsequently replaced as head coach by Yvette McCausland-Durie.
Meanwhile, off the court, Pulse lost their main sponsor after just one season and needed financial bailouts from both Netball New Zealand and the league itself. Ahead of the 2009 season, Pulse found themselves fined for missing the deadline to announce their squad. There was also speculation that Netball New Zealand wanted to use the franchise as a development team for New Zealand under-21 players. After 24 games, Pulse eventually won their first ever match when they defeated New South Wales Swifts 53–52 in a 2009 Round 13 match at the Te Rauparaha Arena.
Pulse enjoyed their best season during the ANZ Championship era in 2013, when with a team coached by Robyn Broughton, captained by Katrina Grant and featuring Joline Henry, Caitlin Thwaites and Donna Wilkins, they won eight matches and finished fifth.
Regular season statistics Season Position Won Drawn Lost200810th0112 200910th101220109th1012 20118th3010 20127th50820135th805 20146th70620159th328 20169th2110
ANZ Premiership Since 2017, Pulse have played in the ANZ Premiership. During the early ANZ Premiership era, they emerged as one of the leagues strongest teams. Between 2017 and 2020, with a team coached by Yvette McCausland-Durie, captained by Katrina Grant and featuring, among others, Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Claire Kersten, Pulse played in four successive grand finals. Between 2018 and 2020 they won three successive minor premierships. Pulse were the 2019 and 2020 overall champions. They also won the 2018 Netball New Zealand Super Club tournament.
Regular season statistics Season Position Won Drawn Lost2nd962 1st1233 20191st1320 20201st1121 20215th4011 20221st100520232nd100520241st120320253rd604
Grand finals ANZ Premiership Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2017Southern Steel69–53Central PulseStadium Southland2018Southern Steel54–53Central PulseFly Palmy Arena2019Central Pulse52–48Northern StarsTe Rauparaha Arena2020Central Pulse43–31Mainland TactixStadium Southland2022Central Pulse56–37Northern StarsTSB Bank Arena2024Northern Mystics53-54Central PulseTSB Bank Arena Netball New Zealand Super Club Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2018Central Pulse61–56Mainland TactixTrafalgar Centre
Home venues Pulse's main venue is Wellington's TSB Bank Arena. They have also regularly played home matches at Porirua's Te Rauparaha Arena and at the Fly Palmy Arena in Palmerston North.
YearsTSB Arena2008–Te Rauparaha Arena2009–Fly Palmy Arena2008–Pettigrew Green Arena2008–2014
Notable players 2026 squad
Internationals
Karin Burger Aliyah Dunn Ameliaranne Ekenasio Temalisi Fakahokotau Maddy Gordon Paula Griffin Joline Henry Kelly Jackson Phoenix Karaka Claire Kersten Cathrine Latu Camilla Lees Liana Leota Amorangi Malesala Parris Mason Tiana Metuarau Erikana Pedersen Katrina Rore Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit Whitney Souness Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick Irene van Dyk Amelia Walmsley Donna Wilkins Maia Wilson
Rachel Rasmussen Kristiana Manu'a
Jane Altschwager Kristiana Manu'a Chelsea Pitman Caitlin Thwaites Gabi Simpson
Ama Agbeze Sara Bayman Sonia Mkoloma Chelsea Pitman
Susan Tagicakibau Kelera Nawai
Victoria Smith
Althea Byfield
Joyce Mvula
Cathrine Latu Ainsleyana Puleiata Rachel Rasmussen Frances Solia Saviour Tui
Irene van Dyk
Captains YearsFrances Solia2008Cushla Lichtwark2009Jane Altschwager2010Katrina Rore2011–2021Claire Kersten2021 Tiana Metuarau2021– Kelly Jury2021–
Award winners ANZ Championship awards ANZ Championship MVP Season Player2008Sonia Mkoloma
Notes Romelda Aiken and Sonia Mkoloma shared the 2008 award.
New Zealand Netball Awards ANZ Premiership Player of the Year Season Winner2018Katrina Rore
Coaches Head coaches Coach YearsKate Carpenter2008 Yvette McCausland-Durie2009–2011 Robyn Broughton2012–2015 Tanya Dearns2016 Yvette McCausland-Durie2017–2020Gail Parata2020–2021 Yvette McCausland-Durie2021–2023Anna Andrews-Tasola2023–
Assistant coaches Coach YearsGail Parata2010–2011Marianne Delaney-Hoshek2012–2014 Sandra Edge2017–2019 Pelesa Semu2020–2021Anna Andrews-Tasola2022–2023
Main sponsors Sponsors Seasons Suzuki2008Haier2010–2014Mojo Coffee2015–2016Te Wānanga o Raukawa2017–
Reserve team
Since 2016, Netball Central have also entered a team in the National Netball League. They are effectively the reserve team of Central Pulse. Between 2016 and 2018 they played as Central Zone. Since 2019, they have played as Central Manawa. Between 2017 and 2019, Central Zone/Central Manawa won three successive NNL titles. In 2022, Central Manawa won a fourth title.
Honours
ANZ Premiership Winners: 2019, 2020, 2022 Runners Up: 2017 Minor premiers: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 Netball New Zealand Super Club Winners: 2018
References
External links Official website Central Pulse on Facebook Central Pulse on Twitter