THE ANZ Premiership is not too far away now and the competition is heating up with new additions joining the fray ahead of the season commencing. One of the most exciting inclusions is that of former England Roses defender Ama Agbeze who is set to pull on the Northern Mystics dress this season. Her acquisition is not the only exciting addition to the competition with a young Fijian defender joining the Central Pulse.

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist in Agbeze is a great acquisition to the side and is set to replace the injured Michaela Sokolich-Beatson who will once again be sidelined after rupturing her Achilles. Agbeze is a seasoned campaigner that knows her way around the court and can inflict a wealth of defensive pressure with her hunt, quick footwork and aerial presence to consistently win ball back. Oozing experience and knowledge, expect Agbeze to take like a duck to water having competed against some of the best in the business and eager to ply her trade out on court for her new side.

The England import will add to an already highly versatile defensive unit spearheaded by captain Sulu Fitzpatrick. It will be a new-look backend for the Mystics who will not only be missing Sokolich-Beatson but so too Phoenix Karaka who just gave birth to her first child, meaning the inclusion of Agbeze is exactly what the doctor ordered credit to her read of the play and skillset.

Coach Helene Wilson is more than happy to have Agbeze join the ranks given her netball nous and the added leadership she will bring to the side given the absences of some key pillars down back.

“Having a player with international experience has added more leadership to our side,” said Wilson. “Ama knows what it takes to win and she contributes positively to our environment not only as a person, but with her game knowledge as well.”

“Ama’s versatility of being able to play all three defensive positions in our team adds more variety to our strategy as we build a new-look Mystics defence.”

With a star signing in Agbeze taking centre stage, two-time reigning premiers Central Pulse have looked to youth to round out their squad with Kelera Nawai set to pull on the yellow dress. A highly athletic and promising defender hailing from Fiji, there is plenty of excitement surrounding the potential of Nawai and what she can bring to the Pulse unit given she is still developing her craft.

However the premiers will be without a couple of familiar faces with Karin Burger departing to Mainland Tactix and Katrina Rore missing the season through pregnancy. Nawai will join the likes of Parris Mason and Paris Lokotui in their first season at ANZ Premiership level.

The former shooter has found her place down back, able to effectively ply her trade in goal keeper and goal defence using her 187cm frame to influence the play and cause a ruckus with her long arms and read of the play. she will complement the likes of Jury down back and has some experience at the top level having represented Fiji in the 2019 Netball World Cup.

Still somewhat of a raw prospect, the 23-year-old has a bright future ahead of her with Central Pulse Netball Central Director of High Performance, Wai Taumaunu chomping at the bit to see what the talented defender can do out on court for the Pulse throughout the 2021 season.

“She’s physically imposing with a great reach and has a strong presence on the rebound. She is a real athlete and has a lot of potential. There’s a lot of work to be done but we’re confident we’ve got the makings of a long-term prospect,” said Taumaunu.

“In Kelera, we think we’ve got enormous potential and it’s the same with Paris Lokotui and Parris Mason who are two of the absolutely most talented defenders at under-21 level.

“It may take time for that defensive end to settle but it provides Kelly (Jury) with a great leadership opportunity which is her next step from our perspective and we’re really excited about what it will look like.’’