Central Pulse
Encyclopedia
The Central Pulse are a New Zealand
netball
team based in Wellington
that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship
. The Pulse represent several New Zealand regions in the North and South Islands, from East Cape in the north to Tasman and Marlborough in the south, and were formed as an amalgamation of the Western Flyers
and Capital Shakers
teams from the National Bank Cup
(NBC).
From 2012, the Pulse will be coached by Robyn Broughton
, former head coach of the Southern Sting
in the NBC and the Southern Steel
in the ANZ Championship. Broughton replaces Yvette McCausland-Durie
, who joined the Pulse in 2009. Silver Ferns
defender Katrina Grant
has captained the Pulse since 2010. Home games are usually played at TSB Arena in Wellington, although some games are played in Napier, Palmerston North and Porirua. The team uniform is primarily yellow, in line with the Wellington-based Hurricanes
rugby union team who play in the Super 14.
The Central Pulse have struggled since the inception of the ANZ Championship. Across their first three season the team only won only two matches, finishing in the bottom two placings of the competition each time. The Pulse finished eighth in 2011, their best ever placing.
in New Zealand and the Commonwealth Bank Trophy
in Australia, which both played their final season in 2007. When the new trans-Tasman competition was announced, it was reported to feature five teams from each country. Five New Zealand franchises were formed from amalgamations of National Bank Cup teams to compete in the new ANZ Championship. A franchise based in Wellington was proposed early in the selection process. The five New Zealand franchises were finalised and approved in May 2007, including one representing an amalgamation of the Capital Shakers
and Western Flyers
from the National Bank Cup; the previously unaffiliated Tasman region was added to the franchise catchment area.
Singapore
national coach Kate Carpenter was appointed head coach of the new central New Zealand franchise in September 2007. The franchise announced the name of their team on 8 November as the "Central Pulse". On 30 January 2008, automotive company Suzuki New Zealand
was named as the major sponsor for the Pulse, who became the "Suzuki Central Pulse".
. The negotiations prevented New Zealand franchises from signing players, and were not settled until 22 December. Nevertheless, England
defender Sonia Mkoloma was one of the first players to be named for the 2008 Pulse squad, before the player agreement was signed.
The full squad for the 2008 season was announced on 4 February 2008, one which did not feature any Silver Ferns, and with Mkoloma as their only international player.
The Central Pulse played the inaugural match of the ANZ Championship at home on 4 April, losing to the Melbourne Vixens
33–50. During 14 weeks of round-robin matches, the Pulse failed to win a single game, with a 0–12 win-loss record and a lone point from a draw against the West Coast Fever
.
The Pulse delayed naming their team for the 2009 season, incurring a fine of up to NZ$3000; the line-up was eventually released on 22 December 2008. The new roster contained five of the twelve players from the 2008 season. The Pulse also gained Silver Fern Paula Griffin and Jamaican defender Althea Byfield, but lost Mkoloma to the Canterbury Tactix. Players from the New Zealand U21 squad made up the bulk of the new signings. The 2009 season saw the Pulse continued to struggle in the ANZ Championship. Their first ever competition win came in round 13 against the New South Wales Swifts
in Porirua. Nevertheless, the Pulse finished the 2009 season at the bottom of the ladder, with a 1–12 win-loss record.
from England and Jane Altschwager
from Australia. Silver Ferns goal keeper Katrina Grant
also joined the Pulse from the Southern Steel, but Byfield moved north to the Northern Mystics. Once again, the Pulse continued to struggle in 2010. They secured one win against the Canterbury Tactix, and managed to finish in 9th place.
The Pulse play their most of their home games at TSB Bank Arena
in Wellington, which has a maximum capacity of 3,635 for netball games. In 2008, home games were also played at Arena Manawatu
in Palmerston North and Pettigrew Green Arena
in Napier, which have maximum seating capacities of 5,000 and 2,320, respectively. From 2009, several games have also been held at Te Rauparaha Arena
in Porirua, which has a maximum capacity of 2,000 for sporting events.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
netball
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
team based in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship
ANZ Championship
The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand...
. The Pulse represent several New Zealand regions in the North and South Islands, from East Cape in the north to Tasman and Marlborough in the south, and were formed as an amalgamation of the Western Flyers
Western Flyers
The Western Flyers were a New Zealand netball team which represented most of the Central, Southern and Eastern North Island in the National Bank Cup. The team was formed in 1998 and played all ten seasons of the competition...
and Capital Shakers
Capital Shakers
The Capital Shakers were a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington that competed in now defunct National Bank Cup competition. The Shakers franchise merged with the Western Flyers to form the Central Pulse in the ANZ Championship-2007 Shakers Squad:...
teams from the National Bank Cup
National Bank Cup
The National Bank Cup was the pre-eminent national netball competition in New Zealand between 1998 and 2007. From 2008, it was replaced by the ANZ Championship.-Format:...
(NBC).
From 2012, the Pulse will be coached by Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton MNZM is a New Zealand netball coach. Broughton coached the Southern Sting from 1998–2007 during the National Bank Cup, winning seven titles in ten years. She was also an assistant coach for the New Zealand national netball team from 2000–02, and is currently a national selector...
, former head coach of the Southern Sting
Southern Sting
The Southern Sting were a netball team based in Invercargill, New Zealand that competed in The National Bank Cup competition, formerly known as the Coca Cola Cup....
in the NBC and the Southern Steel
Southern Steel
The Southern Steel are a New Zealand netball team based in Invercargill that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup, the Dunedin-based Otago Rebels and the Invercargill-based Southern Sting...
in the ANZ Championship. Broughton replaces Yvette McCausland-Durie
Yvette McCausland-Durie
Yvette McCausland-Durie is a New Zealand netball coach and former netball player. McCausland-Durie is a former member of the NZU21 team and the Silver Ferns squad. She has coached the NZU21 netball team since 2006; previously, she was the assistant coach of the NZU21 team that won the World Youth...
, who joined the Pulse in 2009. Silver Ferns
Silver Ferns
The New Zealand national netball team, commonly known as the Silver Ferns, represent New Zealand in international netball. The team take their nickname from the Silver Tree Fern , which is an iconic emblem for many New Zealand sports teams. The Silver Ferns were formed in 1938 as a representative...
defender Katrina Grant
Katrina Grant
Katrina Grant is a New Zealand international netball player. Grant is a current member of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays for the Central Pulse in the ANZ Championship....
has captained the Pulse since 2010. Home games are usually played at TSB Arena in Wellington, although some games are played in Napier, Palmerston North and Porirua. The team uniform is primarily yellow, in line with the Wellington-based Hurricanes
Hurricanes (Super rugby franchise)
The Hurricanes are a New Zealand professional Rugby union team based in Wellington that competes in the Super Rugby competition...
rugby union team who play in the Super 14.
The Central Pulse have struggled since the inception of the ANZ Championship. Across their first three season the team only won only two matches, finishing in the bottom two placings of the competition each time. The Pulse finished eighth in 2011, their best ever placing.
Formation, 2007
The ANZ Championship, founded in 2007 as a new elite domestic netball competition in New Zealand and Australia, replaced the National Bank CupNational Bank Cup
The National Bank Cup was the pre-eminent national netball competition in New Zealand between 1998 and 2007. From 2008, it was replaced by the ANZ Championship.-Format:...
in New Zealand and the Commonwealth Bank Trophy
Commonwealth Bank Trophy
The Commonwealth Bank Trophy was the pre-eminent national netball competition in Australia from 1997 to 2007.It was established in 1997 as a true national league to replace the ailing, state club-based Mobil League. Designed from the beginning to be more marketable to the general public, it saw...
in Australia, which both played their final season in 2007. When the new trans-Tasman competition was announced, it was reported to feature five teams from each country. Five New Zealand franchises were formed from amalgamations of National Bank Cup teams to compete in the new ANZ Championship. A franchise based in Wellington was proposed early in the selection process. The five New Zealand franchises were finalised and approved in May 2007, including one representing an amalgamation of the Capital Shakers
Capital Shakers
The Capital Shakers were a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington that competed in now defunct National Bank Cup competition. The Shakers franchise merged with the Western Flyers to form the Central Pulse in the ANZ Championship-2007 Shakers Squad:...
and Western Flyers
Western Flyers
The Western Flyers were a New Zealand netball team which represented most of the Central, Southern and Eastern North Island in the National Bank Cup. The team was formed in 1998 and played all ten seasons of the competition...
from the National Bank Cup; the previously unaffiliated Tasman region was added to the franchise catchment area.
Singapore
Singapore national netball team
The Singapore national netball team are the national netball team representing Singapore. The Singapore team have competed at four World Netball Championships . They have also won two Nations Cup titles...
national coach Kate Carpenter was appointed head coach of the new central New Zealand franchise in September 2007. The franchise announced the name of their team on 8 November as the "Central Pulse". On 30 January 2008, automotive company Suzuki New Zealand
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
was named as the major sponsor for the Pulse, who became the "Suzuki Central Pulse".
Inaugural season, 2008
Player selections for New Zealand franchises in the inaugural season were delayed due to ongoing negotiations between the New Zealand Players Association and Netball New ZealandNetball New Zealand
Netball New Zealand is the national body which oversees, promotes and manages netball in New Zealand, including the Silver Ferns.Other competitions overseen include:*ANZ Championship – Premier Domestic Competition...
. The negotiations prevented New Zealand franchises from signing players, and were not settled until 22 December. Nevertheless, England
England national netball team
The England national netball team represent England in international netball competition. The team are presently co-captained by Karen Atkinson and Sonia Mkoloma, and were coached by Australian Sue Hawkins through to the end of the 2011 World Netball Championships in Singapore...
defender Sonia Mkoloma was one of the first players to be named for the 2008 Pulse squad, before the player agreement was signed.
The full squad for the 2008 season was announced on 4 February 2008, one which did not feature any Silver Ferns, and with Mkoloma as their only international player.
The Central Pulse played the inaugural match of the ANZ Championship at home on 4 April, losing to the Melbourne Vixens
Melbourne Vixens
The Melbourne Vixens are an Australian netball team in Melbourne that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The team were formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of the Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Kestrels from the previous Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Sharelle McMahon and Bianca Chatfield have...
33–50. During 14 weeks of round-robin matches, the Pulse failed to win a single game, with a 0–12 win-loss record and a lone point from a draw against the West Coast Fever
West Coast Fever
The West Coast Fever are an Australian netball team based in Perth that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was one of the foundation teams of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy, formerly the premier domestic league in Australia. They contested every year of the...
.
2009 season
Following a winless inaugural season and a year full of financial hardship for the Central Pulse franchise, the franchise board was reconstructed and as a result Kate Carpenter was replaced as coach by Yvette McCausland-Durie, who also coaches the New Zealand national U21 squad. The loss of their major sponsor resulted in the Pulse being financially bailed out by Netball New Zealand, who announced that the struggling Wellington-based franchised will be financially secure until at least the end of the 2010 season.The Pulse delayed naming their team for the 2009 season, incurring a fine of up to NZ$3000; the line-up was eventually released on 22 December 2008. The new roster contained five of the twelve players from the 2008 season. The Pulse also gained Silver Fern Paula Griffin and Jamaican defender Althea Byfield, but lost Mkoloma to the Canterbury Tactix. Players from the New Zealand U21 squad made up the bulk of the new signings. The 2009 season saw the Pulse continued to struggle in the ANZ Championship. Their first ever competition win came in round 13 against the New South Wales Swifts
New South Wales Swifts
The New South Wales Swifts are an Australian netball team based in Sydney that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Swifts were formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of two teams from the Commonwealth Bank Trophy – the Sydney Swifts and the Hunter Jaegers...
in Porirua. Nevertheless, the Pulse finished the 2009 season at the bottom of the ladder, with a 1–12 win-loss record.
2010 season
After the 2009 season concluded, ANZ Championship officials announced new rules aimed at assisting teams who finish in the bottom two placings of the competition for two consecutive seasons. Having won only one match in two years, the Pulse were the only team to qualify for this assistance. It included an allowance of two import players and a $25,000 grant to use at the franchise's discretion, including player salaries additional to the $NZ300,000 salary cap. The Pulse were able to contract two import players: Ama AgbezeAma Agbeze
Ama Agbeze is an English international netball player. Agbeze plays in the goal defence and goal keeper positions. She debuted in the England national squad in 2001...
from England and Jane Altschwager
Jane Altschwager
Jane Altschwager is an Australian netballer. Altschwager started her netball career in 1994 playing for New South Wales, in the Australian State Netball League, somehow, despite being a 14 year old in South Australia. In 1997 she signed with the Sydney Swifts in the inaugural Commonwealth Bank...
from Australia. Silver Ferns goal keeper Katrina Grant
Katrina Grant
Katrina Grant is a New Zealand international netball player. Grant is a current member of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays for the Central Pulse in the ANZ Championship....
also joined the Pulse from the Southern Steel, but Byfield moved north to the Northern Mystics. Once again, the Pulse continued to struggle in 2010. They secured one win against the Canterbury Tactix, and managed to finish in 9th place.
Competitive record
- 2008: 10th of 10
- 2009: 10th of 10
- 2010: 9th of 10
- 2011: 8th of 10
Venues
TSB Bank Arena
The TSB Bank Arena, formerly known as the Queens Wharf Events Centre, is an indoor arena, located in Wellington, New Zealand. The arena hosts mainly basketball games and is the home arena for the Century City Saints and part-time home arena of the New Zealand Breakers when they play in Wellington,...
in Wellington, which has a maximum capacity of 3,635 for netball games. In 2008, home games were also played at Arena Manawatu
Arena Manawatu
Arena Manawatu is the current name of the 180,000 square metre publicly owned recreational complex just west of the Palmerston North city centre in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand.It has three linked indoor stadiums, with movable tiered seating...
in Palmerston North and Pettigrew Green Arena
Pettigrew Green Arena
Pettigrew Green Arena is a multi-purpose indoor sports and entertainment centre in Taradale near Napier, New Zealand. The centre opened in April 2003, and regularly hosts volleyball, basketball and netball matches for Hawke's Bay representative teams. The main court has a capacity of 2,500...
in Napier, which have maximum seating capacities of 5,000 and 2,320, respectively. From 2009, several games have also been held at Te Rauparaha Arena
Te Rauparaha Arena
Te Rauparaha Arena is a multi-purpose indoor sports and entertainment centre in Porirua, New Zealand. The centre, which cost NZ$17.5 million to construct, was officially opened on 21 November 2008. The main stadium has a maximum capacity of 3,000, while a secondary stadium can hold another 500 people...
in Porirua, which has a maximum capacity of 2,000 for sporting events.