Central Pulse

Founded in 2007, Central Pulse are a New Zealand netball team that plays in the ANZ Premiership. Having won three premierships since ANZ Premiership’s start in 2017, Central Pulse are one of the most successful netball teams in the league. The team is based in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Let’s take a look at Central Pulse’s history, success, playing venues, and current roster.

Early history in the ANZ Championship

When Central Pulse were created in 2007, it was effectively a combination of two former National Bank Cup teams, Western Flyers and Capital Shakers. The Central Pulse were a founding member of the now-defunct ANZ Championship in 2007.

Central Pulse began their history in the ANZ Championship’s inaugural 2008 season, led by head coach Kate Carpenter. Pulse were the home team in the first ever ANZ Championship match, losing 33-50 to the Melbourne Vixens. This first loss was emblematic of Pulse’s entire first season, as the team failed to win a single match, finishing in 10^th place with 12 losses and one draw.

Their fortunes would improve in their second and third seasons, but only marginally, as Central Pulse only won one game in each season. In fact, their fortunes hardly improved at all. Throughout their nine-year tenure in the ANZ Championship, Pulse only had two seasons with winning records, going 8-5 in 2013 and 7-6 in 2014, achieving 5^th and 6^th place respectively. It wasn’t until the ANZ Premiership replaced the ANZ Championship that Central Pulse’s fortunes truly began to improve.

Success in the ANZ Premiership

With the launch of the ANZ Premiership in 2017 came a revamped Central Pulse team. They quickly established themselves as one of the top teams in the league, finishing as runners up in the 2017 and 2018 season.

This era of success can partly be attributed to their head coach, Yvette McCausland-Durie, who coached Central Pulse from 2009-2011, 2017-2020, and 2021-present. With this experienced coach, and a strong team featuring Katrina Grant, Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, and Claire Kersten, Pulse consistently found themselves in the winner’s circle.

After finishing as runners up two years in a row, Central Pulse won their first premiership in 2019. In 2020, they ran it back, winning the premiership in back-to-back years. After a disappointing 2021 that saw Pulse finish in 5^th place with a 4-11 record, they once again achieved championship glory in 2022, winning their third premiership in four years.

Other success

Central Pulse won the Netball New Zealand Super Club, a tournament featuring teams from the ANZ Premiership as well as teams invited from overseas countries, in 2018.

Individual Pulse players have also been recognised for their success. In 2008, Sonia Mkoloma was named the ANZ Championship MVP, an honour she shared with Romelda Aiken of the Queensland Firebirds. In 2018, Katrina Rore was named ANZ Premiership Player of the Year.

Venues

Central Pulse’s main venue is TSB Bank Arena in Wellington, but they also have played home matches in three other venues, Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua, the Fly Palmy Arena in Palmerston North, and Pettigrew Green Arena in Taradale. Currently, Central Pulse play the majority of their matches at TSB Bank Arena, but Te Rauppara Arena and Fly Palmy Arena have also seen regular play. They haven’t played in Pettigrew Green Arena since 2014.

Current roster

Led by head coach Yvette McCausland-Dure, assistant coach Anna Andrews-Tasola, and co-captains Kelly Jury and Tiana Metuarau, Central Pulse are set up to once again succeed in 2023. Here is the complete 2023 Central Pulse roster:

Maddy Gordon (WA, C, WD)
Kelly Jury (GK, GD)
Kristiana Manu’a (GK, GD, WD)
Tiana Metuarau (GA, GA)
Whitney Souness (WA, C)
Amelia Walmsley (GS, GA)
Paris Mason (GK, GD, WD)
Joyce Mvula (GS)
Fa’amu Ioane (C, WD)
Ainsleyana Puleiata (C, WD, WA)

Conclusion

Central Pulse is one of New Zealand’s premier netball teams. After a rocky start in the ANZ Championship, Pulse have become one of the most decorated teams in the ANZ Premiership’s history. Powered by a firmly established winning culture and a coach with extensive championship pedigree and experience, Central Pulse have solidified themselves as a force in the league, and a team who is capable of bringing home titles year in and year out.