 | ||
| Founded | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|
| Based in | Papakura Takanini | |
| Regions | East Auckland South Auckland | |
| Home venue | Pulman Arena | |
| Head coach | Kiri Wills | |
| Captain | Maia Wilson | |
| League | ANZ Premiership | |
| Website | starsnetball.co.nz | |
| ||
Northern Stars are a New Zealand netball team based in South Auckland. Since 2017 they have competed in the ANZ Premiership. The team was named after the Matariki star cluster which is also featured on the team's logo. They were grand finalists in 2019 and 2021.
After Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand announced that the ANZ Championship would be discontinued after the 2016 season, Netball New Zealand subsequently replaced it with the ANZ Premiership. The founding members of the ANZ Premiership included the five former New Zealand ANZ Championship teams – Central Pulse, Mainland Tactix, Northern Mystics, Southern Steel and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic – plus a brand new franchise, the South Auckland-based Northern Stars. [1] [2] [3] [4] The team was named after the Matariki star cluster which is also featured on the team's logo. Former Melbourne Vixens head coach, Julie Hoornweg, was named Stars inaugural head coach and Leana de Bruin became their first captain. Other members of the inaugural squad included vice captain Courtney Tairi plus Kayla Cullen, Maia Wilson, Malia Paseka and Sulu Fitzpatrick. [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Since 2017, Stars have played in the ANZ Premiership. [4] [10] They were grand finalists in 2019. [11] [12] [13] In 2022, Stars were grand finalists for a second time. [14] [15] [16]
| Season | Position | Won | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 [17] | 5th | 4 | 11 |
| 2018 [18] | 6th | 4 | 11 |
| 2019 [19] [20] | 3rd | 6 | 9 |
| 2020 [21] | 4th | 5 | 7 |
| 2021 [22] | 4th | 9 | 6 |
| 2022 [23] | 2nd | 11 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3rd | 9 | 6 |
Grand finalists
| Season | Winners | Score | Runners Up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 [11] [12] [13] | Central Pulse | 52–48 | Northern Stars | Te Rauparaha Arena |
| 2022 [14] [15] [16] | Central Pulse | 56–37 | Northern Stars | TSB Bank Arena |
| 2023 [24] [25] [26] | Northern Mystics | 74–56 | Northern Stars | Globox Arena |
Since 2018, Stars main home venue has been Takanini's Pulman Arena. [27]
| Years | |
|---|---|
| Pulman Arena, Takanini [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] | 2018– |
| Vodafone Events Centre [4] | 2017 |
| ASB Kohimarama, Auckland [4] | 2017 |
| 2024 Northern Stars roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaching staff | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Player profiles: Team website | Last updated: 5 August 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Zealand
|
|
England 
Fiji 
Samoa 
South Africa 
Tonga 
Trinidad and Tobago | Years | |
|---|---|
| Leana de Bruin [4] [8] [9] [29] [32] | 2017, 2019 |
| Grace Kara [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] | 2018, 2020 |
| Maia Wilson [30] [31] [38] | 2021– |
| Coach | Years |
|---|---|
| Julie Hoornweg [4] [5] | 2016–2017 |
| Kiri Wills [29] [30] [31] [39] [40] [41] | 2017– |
| Coach | Years |
|---|---|
| Temepara Bailey [4] [29] [42] | 2017–2020 |
| Paula Smith [30] [31] [43] | 2021– |
| Sponsors | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Robinhood [44] | c. 2020– |
Since 2017, Northern Comets have competed in the National Netball League. They are effectively the reserve team of Northern Stars. [45] Comets were originally governed and managed by Netball Northern. However in November 2019, Northern Stars began to directly manage the team. [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] In 2019, Temepara Bailey was appointed Comets head coach. [42] In 2021 she guided Comets to the NNL grand final. [51] [52]
Mainland Tactix are a New Zealand netball team based in Christchurch, Canterbury. Between 1998 and 2007, as Canterbury Flames, they played in the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup league. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship. Between 2008 and 2012 they were known as Canterbury Tactix. However, after Netball Mainland was established in October 2012, the team subsequently adopted their current name. Netball Mainland is the governing body that represents the South Island regions of Canterbury, West Coast, Nelson and Marlborough. Since 2017, Tactix have represented Netball Mainland in the ANZ Premiership. During the ANZ Championship era, Tactix won just 20 of their 114 games and never featured in a finals series. However, during the ANZ Premiership era they emerged as challengers. They were grand finalists in both 2020 and 2021
Central Pulse are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship. Since 2017 they have represented Netball Central in the ANZ Premiership. Netball Central is the governing body that represents the Hawke's Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki and Wellington Regions. Pulse were 2019, 2020 and 2022 ANZ Premiership winners. They also won the 2018 Netball New Zealand Super Club tournament.
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. In 2021, Mystics won their first premiership and in 2023 they won their second.
The ANZ Premiership is the top level netball league featuring teams from New Zealand. In 2017 it replaced the ANZ Championship, which also included teams from Australia, as the top level netball league in New Zealand. It is organised by Netball New Zealand. Its main sponsor is ANZ. In 2017, Southern Steel were the inaugural ANZ Premiership winners. Central Pulse are the league's most successful team, having won three premierships.
The 2017 ANZ Premiership season was the inaugural season of Netball New Zealand's ANZ Premiership. All matches were broadcast on Sky Sport. With a team coached by Reinga Bloxham, captained by Wendy Frew and featuring Gina Crampton, Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Shannon Francois, and Jane Watson, Southern Steel finished the 2017 season as inaugural ANZ Premiership winners. After finishing the regular season unbeaten and as minor premiers, Steel defeated Central Pulse 69–53 in the grand final. This saw Steel complete a 16 match unbeaten season. The top three teams from the season – Steel, Pulse and Northern Mystics qualified for the 2017 Netball New Zealand Super Club.
Maia Wilson is a New Zealand netball international. She was a member of the New Zealand teams that won the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup and the 2021 Constellation Cup. She also represented New Zealand at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Wilson made her senior league debut with Central Pulse during the 2016 ANZ Championship season. Since 2017, she has played for Northern Stars in the ANZ Premiership. In both 2018 and 2019, she was the ANZ Premiership top goal scorer. Wilson was a prominent member of the 2019 and 2022 Northern Stars teams that were ANZ Premiership grand finalists. Ahead of the 2021 season, she was appointed Stars captain. Wilson is also a former New Zealand women's basketball international.
The 2018 ANZ Premiership season was the second season of Netball New Zealand's ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Reinga Bloxham, captained by Wendy Frew and featuring Gina Crampton, Shannon Francois, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Southern Steel retained the title, winning their second consecutive premiership. Central Pulse finished the regular season as minor premiers. However, in the grand final Steel defeated Pulse 54–53. The top three teams from the season – Steel, Pulse and Mainland Tactix qualified for the 2018 Netball New Zealand Super Club.
The 2019 ANZ Premiership season was the third season of Netball New Zealand's ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Yvette McCausland-Durie, captained by Katrina Grant and featuring Karin Burger, Aliyah Dunn, Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Sulu Fitzpatrick, Central Pulse finished the regular season as minor premiers. In the grand final, Pulse defeated Northern Stars 52–48, winning their first premiership.
Kimiora Poi is a New Zealand netball international. She was a member of the New Zealand teams that won the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup, the 2018 Fast5 Netball World Series and the 2021 Constellation Cup. Since 2018, Poi has played for Mainland Tactix in the ANZ Premiership. Poi was a prominent member of the 2020 and 2021 Mainland Tactix teams that played in two successive grand finals. Ahead of the 2022 season, Poi was appointed Tactix captain.
The 2020 ANZ Premiership season was the fourth season of Netball New Zealand's ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Yvette McCausland-Durie, captained by Katrina Rore and featuring Karin Burger, Aliyah Dunn and Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Central Pulse finished the regular season as minor premiers. In the grand final, Pulse defeated Mainland Tactix 43–31, winning their second consecutive premiership. Throughout the season, Netball New Zealand had to deal with considerable disruption because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This initially saw the league suspended for April and May. On its return in June, Round 2 through to Round 7 matches were all played behind closed doors at a single venue. In August, all Round 10 and two Final Series matches were cancelled and the Grand final was played behind closed doors.
The 2021 ANZ Premiership season was the fifth season of Netball New Zealand's ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Helene Wilson, captained by Sulu Fitzpatrick and featuring Ama Agbeze, Bailey Mes and Grace Nweke, Northern Mystics won their first ever premiership. Mystics finished the regular season as minor premiers, above Southern Steel and Mainland Tactix. In the Elimination final, Tactix defeated Steel 54–49. In the Grand final, Mystics defeated Tactix 61–59.
The 2022 ANZ Premiership season was the sixth season of Netball New Zealand's ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Yvette McCausland-Durie, co-captained by Kelly Jury and Tiana Metuarau and featuring Aliyah Dunn, Erikana Pedersen and Whitney Souness, Central Pulse won their third title. Pulse finished the regular season as minor premiers, finishing above Northern Stars and Northern Mystics. In the Elimination final, Stars defeated Mystics 63–57. Pulse then defeated Stars 56–37 in the Grand final.
The National Netball League is a New Zealand netball league. Since 2016 it has served as a second-level league, initially below the ANZ Championship and later below the ANZ Premiership. It is organised by Netball New Zealand. Between 2016 and 2020, due to sponsorship and naming rights arrangements, the NNL was known as the Beko Netball League. Since 2022, the league has been sponsored by Synergy Hair and, as a result, it is also known as the Synergy Hair National League. The teams in the competition are effectively the reserve teams of ANZ Premiership teams. Netball South won the inaugural title in 2016. Central Zone/Central Manawa have been the league's most successful team, winning three titles in a row between 2017 and 2019. A limited number of matches are broadcast live on Sky Sport.
Saviour Tui is a Samoa netball international. Tui was a member of three title winning teams in New Zealand's National Netball League. In 2018 and 2019, Tui won titles with Central Zone/Central Manawa. In 2021 she won a third title with Northern Marvels. She was also a member of the Central Pulse team that won the 2018 Netball New Zealand Super Club tournament. She was a fringe member of the 2021 Northern Mystics team that were ANZ Premiership champions. Since 2022, she has played for Southern Steel in the ANZ Premiership.
The 2021 Northern Mystics season saw Northern Mystics compete in the 2021 ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Helene Wilson, 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.
The 2019 Central Pulse season saw the Central Pulse netball team compete in the 2019 ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Yvette McCausland-Durie, captained by Katrina Rore and featuring Karin Burger, Aliyah Dunn, Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Sulu Fitzpatrick, Pulse finished the regular season as minor premiers. In the grand final, Pulse defeated Northern Stars 52–48, winning their first premiership.
The 2019 Northern Stars season saw the Northern Stars netball team compete in the 2019 ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Kiri Wills, captained by Leana de Bruin and featuring Temepara Bailey, Storm Purvis and Maia Wilson, Stars finished the regular season in third place behind Central Pulse and Southern Steel. In the elimination final, Stars defeated Steel 53–56. However, in the grand final, they lost 52–48 to Pulse, finishing the season in second place overall.
The 2022 Northern Stars season saw the Northern Stars netball team compete in the 2022 ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Kiri Wills, captained by Maia Wilson and featuring Gina Crampton, Anna Harrison and Kayla Johnson, Stars finished the regular season in second place, behind Central Pulse and above Northern Mystics. In the Elimination final, Stars defeated Mystics 63–57. Pulse then defeated Stars 56–37 in the Grand final.
The 2023 Northern Stars season saw the Northern Stars netball team compete in the 2023 ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Kiri Wills, captained by Maia Wilson and featuring Gina Crampton, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Elle Temu, Stars finished the regular season in third place, behind Northern Mystics and Central Pulse. In the Elimination final, Stars defeated Pulse 53–52. Mystics then defeated Stars 74–56 in the Grand final.
The 2022 Northern Mystics season saw Northern Mystics compete in the 2022 ANZ Premiership. With a team coached by Helene Wilson, captained by Sulu Fitzpatrick and featuring Grace Nweke, Elisapeta Toeava and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Mystics finished third in the regular season, behind Central Pulse and Northern Stars. In the Elimination final, Stars defeated Mystics 63–57.
