Early Success for Pathway to Pulse Programme

Early Success for Pathway to Pulse Programme

Media Release
26 February 2015

Netball Central Zone’s Pathway to Pulse programme has produced some good results in its first year, with three out the seven players chosen from the zone to trial for New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) involved in this new initiative.

(The NZSS trailists were announced earlier today by Netball New Zealand).

The programme targets players who could potentially play for the Mojo Pulse in one to three years’ time and gives them the opportunity to experience the elite environment of franchise netball. Its aim is to help identify and nurture the best talent in the area. A total of 20 players from across the zone have been selected for Pathway to Pulse, mainly U23 and U19 players, along with a handful of the best U17s.

Frances Solia, assistant coach of the Mojo Pulse, along with Lana McCarthy, coach of the Palmerston North Girls College squad, are the lead coaches for the programme. The group started training together at the end of January and have two further group sessions in March and April.

“The programme is an extension of the excellent work being led by the centres,” explained Solia. “This initiative is something the players and centres have been waiting for and we’ve had great feedback from those involved. The girls have been very grateful to be given this opportunity and they are proud to be part of the programme.

“We’ve also been able to bring along a few of the players to attend Wednesday training with the Mojo Pulse. Robyn has been very impressed with the girls attending these training sessions.

“It’s also important to acknowledge the contribution that the centres have made in the development of these emerging players.

“The programme teaches the players what it takes to be part of an elite squad and make it as a potential Pulse player. It provides our young netballers from within the zone something to aspire to and the NZSS trialists who have been selected are already on that pathway.”

Netball Central Zone’s NZSS Trialists

Colleen Falefaga - St Marys College, Netball Wellington
Tiana Matuarua - Wellington East College, Netball Wellington
Marcelle Parkes - Wellington East College, Netball Wellington
Kimiora Poi - Napier Girls High School, Netball Hawke's Bay
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan - Wellington East College, Netball Wellington
Diahn Strickland – Manukura, Netball Manawatu
Tori Watt - Wellington East College, Netball Wellington

Collen Falefaga, Marcelle Parkes and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan are members of the current Pathway to Pulse programme.

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