ANZ PREMIERSHIP: ELEVATING NEW ZEALAND’S NETBALL EXCELLENCE
The ANZ Premiership stands as New Zealand’s premier netball league, bringing together the nation’s most formidable teams to engage in exhilarating battles on the court. Established in 2017, the league’s inception marked a transition from the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship to a solely New Zealand-based competition. Under the stewardship of Netball New Zealand and with ANZ as its main sponsor.
The Southern Steel clinched the inaugural championship in 2017, while the Central Pulse has emerged as the league’s dominant force, securing an impressive three premierships, cementing their status as the league’s powerhouse.
HISTORY / FORMATION
In May 2016, a joint announcement from Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand reverberated across the netball landscape. The announcement declared the end of the ANZ Championship after the conclusion of its 2016 season. The aftermath saw distinct transitions on either side of the Tasman Sea: the ANZ Premiership was unveiled in New Zealand, while Australia embraced Suncorp Super Netball as its new chapter.
The ANZ Premiership found its genesis in New Zealand, stepping into the void left by the ANZ Championship. This homegrown competition became the canvas for a fresh era of netball excellence. Encompassing the legacy of the ANZ Championship, the ANZ Premiership commenced with a lineup of seasoned contenders: Central Pulse, Mainland Tactix, Northern Mystics, Southern Steel, and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
INAUGURAL CHAMPIONS
Guided strategically by Reinga Bloxham, expertly captained by Wendy Frew, and bolstered by the talents of Gina Crampton, Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Shannon Francois, and Jane Watson, Southern Steel claimed victory as the champions of the inaugural 2017 ANZ Premiership season. Southern Steel maintained an undefeated streak throughout the regular season, claiming the coveted title of minor premiers.
CENTRAL PULSE
In the initial phases of the ANZ Premiership era, Central Pulse swiftly established itself as a powerhouse within the league. From 2017 to 2020, under the adept guidance of Coach Yvette McCausland-Durie and the leadership of Captain Katrina Grant, the team showcased remarkable strength. A lineup featuring notable players such as Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, and Claire Kersten further solidified their dominance.
Central Pulse’s remarkable journey saw them advance to an impressive four consecutive grand finals during this period. Their dominance extended beyond the grand stage; for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020, they clinched the title of minor premiers.
TEAMS
Team | Main home venue | City/Suburb | Zone/Region |
---|---|---|---|
Central Pulse | TSB Bank Arena | Wellington | Central |
Mainland Tactix | Christchurch Arena | Christchurch | Mainland (Canterbury) |
Northern Mystics | The Trusts Arena | Auckland | Northern (Northland, Auckland) |
Northern Stars | Pulman Arena | Takanini | East Auckland, South Auckland |
Southern Steel | Stadium Southland | Invercargill | South (Southland, Otago) |
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic | Claudelands Arena | Hamilton | Waikato/Bay of Plenty |
ANZ PREMIERSHIP: GRAND FINALE WINNERS LIST
SEASON | WINNERS | SCORE | RUNNERS UP | VENUE |
2017 | Southern Steel | 69ā53 | Central Pulse | Stadium Southland |
2018 | Southern Steel | 54ā53 | Central Pulse | Fly Palmy Arena |
2019 | Central Pulse | 52ā48 | Northern Stars | Te Rauparaha Arena |
2020 | Central Pulse | 43ā31 | Mainland Tactix | Stadium Southland |
2021 | Northern Mystics | 61ā59 | Mainland Tactix | Spark Arena |
2022 | Central Pulse | 56ā37 | Northern Stars | TSB Bank Arena |
2023 | Northern Mystics | 74ā56 | Northern Stars | Globox Arena |
MINOR PREMIERSHIPS WINNERS
SEASON | WINNERS |
2017 | Southern Steel |
2018 | Central Pulse |
2019 | Central Pulse |
2020 | Central Pulse |
2021 | Northern Mystics |
2022 | Central Pulse |
2023 | Northern Mystics |
ANZ PREMIERSHIP WINNING COACHES
SEASON | HEAD COACHES | TEAM |
2017 | Reinga Bloxham | Southern Steel |
2018 | Reinga Bloxham | Southern Steel |
2019 | Yvette McCausland-Durie | Central Pulse |
2020 | Yvette McCausland-Durie | Central Pulse |
2021 | Helene Wilson | Northern Mystics |
2022 | Yvette McCausland-Durie | Central Pulse |
2023 | Tia Winkikerei | Northern Mystics |
ANZ PREMIERSHIP WINNING CAPTAINS
SEASON | CAPTAINS | TEAM |
2017 | Wendy Frew | Southern Steel |
2018 | Wendy Frew | Southern Steel |
2019 | Katrina Grant | Central Pulse |
2020 | Katrina Rore | Central Pulse |
2021 | Sulu Fitzpatrick | Northern Mystics |
2022 | Tiana Metuarau, Kelly Jury | Central Pulse |
2023 | Sulu Fitzpatrick | Northern Mystics |
ANZ PREMIERSHIP TOP GOAL SCORERS
SEASON | GOAL SHOOTER | TEAM | GOALS (%) |
2017 | Jhaniele Fowler-Reid | Southern Steel | 92% (790/859) |
2018 | Maia Wilson | Northern Stars | 89% (566/633) |
2019 | Maia Wilson | Northern Stars | 83% (619/743) |
2020 | Grace Nweke | Northern Mystics | 89% (471/527) |
2021 | Grace Nweke | Northern Mystics | 90% (852/951) |
2022 | Aliyah Dunn | Central Pulse | 93% (618/664) |
2023 | Grace Nweke | Northern Mystics | 92% (825/894) |
ANZ PREMIERSHIP PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
SEASON | MVP | TEAM |
2017 | Jane Watson | Southern Steel |
2018 | Katrina Rore | Central Pulse |
2019 | Gina Crampton | Southern Steel |
2020 | Jane Watson | Mainland Tactix |
2021 | Karin Burger | Mainland Tactix |
2022 | Kelly Jury | Central Pulse |
2023 | Cayla George | Deakin Melbourne Boomers |
ANZ PREMIERSHIP COACH OF THE YEAR
SEASON | COACH | TEAM |
2017 | ||
2018 | ||
2019 | Yvette McCausland-Durie | Central Pulse |
2020 | Yvette McCausland-Durie | Central Pulse |
2021 | Helene Wilson | Northern Mystics |
2022 | Yvette McCausland-Durie | Central Pulse |
2023 |
The ANZ Premiership is New Zealand’s premier netball league, featuring top-level competition among the nation’s leading netball teams. It replaced the ANZ Championship in 2017 and showcases the best netball talent in the country.
The ANZ Premiership features a round-robin format where teams play against each other multiple times throughout the season. The regular season is followed by playoffs, culminating in a grand final to determine the league champion.
The ANZ Premiership comprises six teams: Central Pulse, Mainland Tactix, Northern Mystics, Northern Stars, Southern Steel, and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. These teams represent different regions of New Zealand.
The minor premiership is awarded to the team that finishes the regular season at the top of the points table. It signifies consistency and performance over the course of the season but doesn’t guarantee the championship title.
The Power Play and Super Shot are innovative rule changes introduced in recent ANZ Premiership seasons. The Power Play allows teams to earn double points during a specific period of a quarter. The Super Shot offers extra points for long-range goals attempted within a designated zone, adding a tactical element to scoring strategies.