Kayla Cullen
Encyclopedia
Kayla Cullen is a New Zealand netball
player. As a high school student, Cullen played representative netball and basketball, and competed at a national level in athletics. In 2008 she was selected in the New Zealand U21 netball team, and was a member of the side that finished second at the 2009 World Youth Netball Championships
, behind Australia.
At the end of 2009, Cullen was signed to play with the Northern Mystics
in the ANZ Championship
, starting from 2010. Cullen played five matches in her debut season, and was nominated for the competition's Best Young Player award. She was selected for the Fastnet Ferns to represent New Zealand at the 2010 World Netball Series
in England, where the team finished first.
Cullen spent much of her early career playing in almost every position on court, before settling as a defender. In 2011 the Mystics, under new head coach Debbie Fuller
, qualified for their first finals series. Cullen played in every Mystics game, and earned a place in the starting lineup for the Mystic's first grand final, which they lost to the Queensland Firebirds
. Nevertheless, Cullen's performance during the 2011 season earned her a place in the ANZ Championship All-Star team at wing defence. She also won the award for the ANZ Championship's Best Young Player that year.
, during which time she competed at national level in athletics, and represented New Zealand in basketball and netball. In 2008, Cullen was selected as a 16-year-old for the New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) netball team and the Junior Tall Ferns basketball team. With her family struggling to raise funds for Cullen to represent New Zealand in two sports, she was donated money to participate in the NZSS netball team's tour of Australia that year. Cullen played as a shooter for most of her early career.
during that tour and underwent rehabilitation surgery. In March the following year, Cullen was reselected for the NZSS netball team. NZSS defeated Australia in the final of a regional secondary schools tournament held in Auckland in June that year. Cullen was named attacking player of the tournament, and overall player of the tournament.
Cullen's recovery and NZSS performance led to her being recalled into the New Zealand U21 side for the 2009 World Youth Netball Championships
in the Cook Islands, subject to medical clearance following her ACL injury in 2008. Cullen joined the NZ U21 side in the Cook Islands, where they finished second at the World Youth Championships, behind Australia.
Her 2009 season was capped off when the 17-year-old Cullen was selected to play for the Northern Mystics
in their 2010 ANZ Championship
campaign. Joining her in the Auckland franchise was fellow NZSS netball team member Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick. Cullen's successful year in netball earned her a nomination for the (high school) ASB Auckland Sportswoman of the Year award.
.
Cullen retained her spot in the New Zealand U21 team, and was also selected in the Fastnet Ferns to represent New Zealand at the 2010 World Netball Series
in Liverpool, England. The 2010 Fastnet Ferns mostly comprised members of the wider Silver Ferns squad, and were much less experienced that the side that won the inaugural competition in 2009. Coach Robyn Broughton
opted to use more experienced players for most games, although Cullen was trialled in different court positions, even playing at centre. After struggling through the round-robin matches, the young New Zealand side went on to win the 2010 title, defeating hosts England 28–26 in the final.
in their attack end, and former Silver Fern Anna Scarlett
in the defence circle. The Mystics started their 2011 season well, including an early upset win over 2009 premiers the Melbourne Vixens
. Cullen's mobility and athleticism featured in a makeshift defence lineup following injuries to key defenders.
Cullen played in all of the Mystics' ANZ Championship games in 2011. The Mystics finished the round-robin season in fourth place, scraping into the finals series. Standout performances against the New South Wales Swifts and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic earned the Auckland franchise their first ANZ Championship grand final appearance. Despite her young age, Cullen was picked in the Mystics starting lineup at GD for the grand final against the unbeaten Queensland Firebirds
, matching up against experienced Australian GA Natalie Medhurst
. After a closely fought first half in the grand final, the Firebirds gathered momentum to secure a comfortable 57–44 victory. Cullen was rested in the third quarter of the match, during which the Mystics defenders struggled to keep up with the Firebirds' attacking pace.
After a stellar 2011 season with the Mystics, Cullen was named as the competition's Best Young Player. She was also selected for the inaugural ANZ Championship All-Star Team, slotting in at wing defence; fellow Mystics defender Anna Scarlett was named at goal defence. Following her stellar ANZ Championship season, Cullen joined the New Zealand U21 team in a three-match series against Australia U21, which New Zealand lost 2–1.
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 ...
player. As a high school student, Cullen played representative netball and basketball, and competed at a national level in athletics. In 2008 she was selected in the New Zealand U21 netball team, and was a member of the side that finished second at the 2009 World Youth Netball Championships
World Youth Netball Championships
The World Youth Netball Championships is the world championships of netball for national U21 teams, with all players being aged 21 years or younger. The event started in Canberra in 1988, and has been held roughly every four years since...
, behind Australia.
At the end of 2009, Cullen was signed to play with the Northern Mystics
Northern Mystics
The Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup – the Northern Force and the Auckland Diamonds – after the competition was...
in the 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...
, starting from 2010. Cullen played five matches in her debut season, and was nominated for the competition's Best Young Player award. She was selected for the Fastnet Ferns to represent New Zealand at the 2010 World Netball Series
2010 World Netball Series
The 2010 World Netball Series was the second edition of the World Netball Series, an annual international netball competition held under fastnet rules. The 2010 event was held in Liverpool, England, and was contested between the top six national netball teams according to the IFNA World Rankings....
in England, where the team finished first.
Cullen spent much of her early career playing in almost every position on court, before settling as a defender. In 2011 the Mystics, under new head coach Debbie Fuller
Debbie Fuller (netball)
Debbie Fuller is a New Zealand netball coach and former international netball player. Fuller was a defender in the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, from 1993–96, during which time she competed at the 1995 Netball World Championships in Birmingham. Fuller retired from the Silver...
, qualified for their first finals series. Cullen played in every Mystics game, and earned a place in the starting lineup for the Mystic's first grand final, which they lost to the Queensland Firebirds
Queensland Firebirds
The Queensland Firebirds are an Australian netball team based in Brisbane that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Firebirds were formed as one of the foundation teams of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy , previously the premier netball league in Australia, which was contested...
. Nevertheless, Cullen's performance during the 2011 season earned her a place in the ANZ Championship All-Star team at wing defence. She also won the award for the ANZ Championship's Best Young Player that year.
Early years and career
Kayla Cullen was born on 13 February 1992 in Auckland, New Zealand, into a large, single-parent family. She attended Auckland Girls' Grammar SchoolAuckland Girls' Grammar School
Auckland Girls' Grammar School is a New Zealand secondary school for girls located in Newton, in the Auckland central business district. Established in 1888, it is one of the oldest secondary institutions in the country...
, during which time she competed at national level in athletics, and represented New Zealand in basketball and netball. In 2008, Cullen was selected as a 16-year-old for the New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) netball team and the Junior Tall Ferns basketball team. With her family struggling to raise funds for Cullen to represent New Zealand in two sports, she was donated money to participate in the NZSS netball team's tour of Australia that year. Cullen played as a shooter for most of her early career.
2009: Early U21 career
Cullen represented Auckland-Waitakere at national U21 level. She was also selected in the New Zealand U21 squad for their 2008 tour of Australia. She suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligamentAnterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
during that tour and underwent rehabilitation surgery. In March the following year, Cullen was reselected for the NZSS netball team. NZSS defeated Australia in the final of a regional secondary schools tournament held in Auckland in June that year. Cullen was named attacking player of the tournament, and overall player of the tournament.
Cullen's recovery and NZSS performance led to her being recalled into the New Zealand U21 side for the 2009 World Youth Netball Championships
World Youth Netball Championships
The World Youth Netball Championships is the world championships of netball for national U21 teams, with all players being aged 21 years or younger. The event started in Canberra in 1988, and has been held roughly every four years since...
in the Cook Islands, subject to medical clearance following her ACL injury in 2008. Cullen joined the NZ U21 side in the Cook Islands, where they finished second at the World Youth Championships, behind Australia.
Her 2009 season was capped off when the 17-year-old Cullen was selected to play for the Northern Mystics
Northern Mystics
The Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup – the Northern Force and the Auckland Diamonds – after the competition was...
in their 2010 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...
campaign. Joining her in the Auckland franchise was fellow NZSS netball team member Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick. Cullen's successful year in netball earned her a nomination for the (high school) ASB Auckland Sportswoman of the Year award.
2010: Mystics debut and Fastnet Ferns
In 2010, Cullen made her ANZ Championship debut with the Mystics. Normally a shooter, Cullen and fellow NZ U21 player Tone-Fitzpatrick were called into the Mystics defensive circle during the 2010 preseason to cover injuries to starting players. She played five matches for the Mystics in her debut season: despite being listed in the team roster as an attacking player, she played mostly in the Mystics defensive line. She was nominated as the Best Young Player in the ANZ Championship for 2010, although the award eventually went to Sharni LaytonSharni Layton
Sharni Layton is an Australian netball player. Layton was a member of the Australian U21 team from 2006–09, winning gold at the 2009 World Youth Netball Championships in the Cook Islands. In 2008, Layton was signed to play for the Melbourne Vixens in the ANZ Championship...
.
Cullen retained her spot in the New Zealand U21 team, and was also selected in the Fastnet Ferns to represent New Zealand at the 2010 World Netball Series
2010 World Netball Series
The 2010 World Netball Series was the second edition of the World Netball Series, an annual international netball competition held under fastnet rules. The 2010 event was held in Liverpool, England, and was contested between the top six national netball teams according to the IFNA World Rankings....
in Liverpool, England. The 2010 Fastnet Ferns mostly comprised members of the wider Silver Ferns squad, and were much less experienced that the side that won the inaugural competition in 2009. Coach 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...
opted to use more experienced players for most games, although Cullen was trialled in different court positions, even playing at centre. After struggling through the round-robin matches, the young New Zealand side went on to win the 2010 title, defeating hosts England 28–26 in the final.
2011: All Star and Best Young Player
Despite being played in almost every position during her early career, by 2011 Cullen had become more accustomed to playing as a defender. The Northern Mystics featured a strengthened lineup for their 2011 campaign, adding former Australian representative player Megan DehnMegan Dehn
Megan Dehn is an Australian international netballer from Woy Woy, New South Wales. A former Australian representative player, she currently plays in the ANZ Championship for New Zealand–based team the Northern Mystics....
in their attack end, and former Silver Fern Anna Scarlett
Anna Scarlett
Anna Maree Scarlett is a New Zealand netball and beach volleyball player. She stands at 1.87 m, and in netball plays as goal-keep, goal-defence and wing-defence....
in the defence circle. The Mystics started their 2011 season well, including an early upset win over 2009 premiers 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...
. Cullen's mobility and athleticism featured in a makeshift defence lineup following injuries to key defenders.
Cullen played in all of the Mystics' ANZ Championship games in 2011. The Mystics finished the round-robin season in fourth place, scraping into the finals series. Standout performances against the New South Wales Swifts and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic earned the Auckland franchise their first ANZ Championship grand final appearance. Despite her young age, Cullen was picked in the Mystics starting lineup at GD for the grand final against the unbeaten Queensland Firebirds
Queensland Firebirds
The Queensland Firebirds are an Australian netball team based in Brisbane that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Firebirds were formed as one of the foundation teams of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy , previously the premier netball league in Australia, which was contested...
, matching up against experienced Australian GA Natalie Medhurst
Natalie Medhurst
Natalie Medhurst is an Australian netball player. Medhurst plays as a goal attack and goal shooter, and is a current member of the Australian national netball team....
. After a closely fought first half in the grand final, the Firebirds gathered momentum to secure a comfortable 57–44 victory. Cullen was rested in the third quarter of the match, during which the Mystics defenders struggled to keep up with the Firebirds' attacking pace.
After a stellar 2011 season with the Mystics, Cullen was named as the competition's Best Young Player. She was also selected for the inaugural ANZ Championship All-Star Team, slotting in at wing defence; fellow Mystics defender Anna Scarlett was named at goal defence. Following her stellar ANZ Championship season, Cullen joined the New Zealand U21 team in a three-match series against Australia U21, which New Zealand lost 2–1.