Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship. Since 2017 they have represented Netball Northern in the ANZ Premiership. Netball Northern is the governing body that represents the Auckland and Northland Regions. The Mystics have won four ANZ Premiership titles in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2026.
History Formation Northern Mystics were formed in 2007. The new team was effectively a merger of the two former National Bank Cup teams, Northern Force and Auckland Diamonds. Mystics subsequently became founder members of the ANZ Championship. Yvonne Willering became Mystics first head coach and Temepara George became Mystics first player.
ANZ Championship Between 2008 and 2016, Mystics played in the ANZ Championship. On 6 April 2008, Mystics made their ANZ Championship debut in a match against Canterbury Tactix at The Trusts Arena, losing 44–48.
In 2011, with a team coached by Debbie Fuller and captained by Temepara George, Mystics reached their first grand final. They finished the regular season fourth behind Queensland Firebirds, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and New South Wales Swifts. During the regular season, Mystics claimed their first win in Australia, with a 56–54 win over West Coast Fever in Round 9. Mystics defeated Swifts in the minor semi-final and Magic in the preliminary final before losing to Firebirds in the grand final. Mystics finished the season second overall.
In 2012, Mystics finished second on the table after the regular season. However, they subsequently lost the major semi-final to Melbourne Vixens and the preliminary final to Magic and finished in third overall. On 20 May 2012, during a Round 8 match against Vixens, Mystics introduced the Harrison Hoist. Anna Harrison made several vital blocks while being hoisted rugby union lineout-style by her defensive partners. Harrison was lifted first by Kayla Cullen and then twice in the final quarter by Jessica Moulds. Mystics won the match 49–45. Cullen and Moulds adopted the role of a lineout lifter to hoist Harrison and the move had the desired result in the final quarter when Vixens goal shooter Karyn Howarth's goal-bound shots were twice batted away.
In 2015, Mystics went through the regular season unbeaten against their fellow New Zealand teams and topped the New Zealand Conference. However they subsequently lost the Conference final to Magic and a semi-final to Firebirds.
Regular season statistics Season Position Won Drawn Lost20087th50820098th3010 20106th7064th904 20122nd1003 201310th101220147th6074th724 20167th319
ANZ Premiership Since 2017, Mystics have played in the ANZ Premiership. In 2021, with a team coached by Helene Wilson and captained by Sulu Fitzpatrick and featuring Ama Agbeze, Bailey Mes and Grace Nweke, Mystics won their first ever premiership. After finishing the regular season as minor premiers, they defeated Mainland Tactix 61–59 in the grand final. In 2023, with a team coached by Tia Winikerei, captained by Sulu Fitzpatrick and featuring Phoenix Karaka, Grace Nweke, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Peta Toeava, Mystics won their second title. Mystics finished the regular season as minor premiers, finishing above Central Pulse and Northern Stars. Mystics defeated Stars 74–56 in the Grand final.
Regular season statistics Season Position Won Drawn Lost20173rd80 720184th708 20196th4011 20203rd726 1st1104 20223rd906 1st1104 3rd906 20251st901
Grand finals ANZ Championship Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2011Queensland Firebirds57–44Northern MysticsBrisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Netball New Zealand Super Club Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2017Southern Steel79–58Northern MysticsTrafalgar Centre2019Collingwood Magpies49–42Northern MysticsTrafalgar Centre ANZ Premiership Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2021Northern Mystics61–59Mainland TactixSpark Arena2023Northern Mystics74–56Northern StarsGlobox Arena2024Northern Mystics54–53Central PulseTSB Bank Arena2025Northern Mystics46–58Mainland TactixTrusts Arena2026Northern Mystics56–46Southern SteelTrusts Arena
Home venues Mystics main home venue is The Trusts Arena.
YearsThe Trusts Arena2008–Eventfinda Stadium/North Shore Events Centre2008–Vector Arena/Spark Arena2011–
Notable players 2026 squad
Internationals
Jenny-May Coffin Vilimaina Davu Leana de Bruin Tayla Earle Temalisi Fakahokotau Monica Falkner Sulu Fitzpatrick Maria Folau Temepara George Paula Griffin Catherine Hall Anna Harrison Joline Henry Kayla Johnson Grace Kara Phoenix Karaka Camilla Lees Laura Langman Bailey Mes Erena Mikaere Grace Nweke Erikana Pedersen Storm Purvis Sheryl Scanlan Michaela Sokolich-Beatson Carys Stythe Teresa Tairi Elisapeta Toeava Jessica Tuki Cathrine Tuivaiti Malia Vaka Debbie White Larrissa Willcox
Charlotte Kight Jessica Moulds Rachel Rasmussen Hayley Saunders
Julie Corletto Megan Dehn Donnell Wallam
Ama Agbeze Jade Clarke Pamela Cookey Sasha Corbin Serena Guthrie
Vilimaina Davu
Althea Byfield
Rachel Rasmussen Sheryl Scanlan Saviour Tui Cathrine Tuivaiti
Leana de Bruin
Captains YearsTemepara George2008–2012Maria Tutaia2013–2017 Anna Harrison2017–2018 Phoenix Karaka2019–2020 Sulu Fitzpatrick2021–2023 Michaela Sokolich-Beatson2024–
Award winners ANZ Championship awards ANZ Championship MVP Season Player 2012Temepara George
Notes Temepara George shared the award with Laura Langman (Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic).
ANZ Championship Best New Talent Season Player 2011Kayla Cullen2015Serena Guthrie
New Zealand Netball Awards New Zealand ANZ Championship Player of the Year Season Winner2015Laura Langman
Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award Season Winner2021Sulu Fitzpatrick
Coaches Head coaches Coach YearsYvonne Willering2007–2008 Te Aroha Keenan2009–2010 Debbie Fuller2010–2012 Ruth Aitken2013 Debbie Fuller2013–2016 Helene Wilson2017–2022 Tia Winikerei2023–
Assistant coaches Coach YearsTe Aroha Keenan2008 Debbie Fuller2009–2010 Jenny-May Coffin2011 Gail Parata2012 Kiri Wills2013 Helene Wilson2014 Linda Vagana2018–2019 Sonya Hardcastle2018–2019 Margaret Forsyth2020 Tia Winikerei2021–2022 Rob Wright2021–
Specialist coaches Coach YearsMegan Dehn2012Jenny-May Coffin2017
Main sponsors Sponsors Seasons LG Electronics2007–2015SkyCity Entertainment Group2015–2018MG Motor New Zealand2021–
Reserve team Since 2016, Netball Northern have entered a team in the National Netball League. In 2017 they became known as Northern Marvels. They are effectively the reserve team of Northern Mystics. Helene Wilson was their inaugural head coach. Former Marvels players include Elisapeta Toeava and Grace Nweke. In 2021 Northern Marvels were NNL premiers after they defeated Northern Comets 64–56 in the grand final.
Honours
ANZ Premiership Winners: 2021, 2023, 2024, 2026 Runners Up: 2025 Minor premiers: 2021, 2023, 2025, 2026 ANZ Championship Runners Up: 2011 ANZ Championship – New Zealand Conference Minor premiers: 2015 Netball New Zealand Super Club Runners Up: 2017, 2019
References
External links Official website Northern Mystics on Facebook Northern Mystics on Twitter