Pulse coach commits to full-time next season

Central Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie is going to be full-time in her role next year as the struggling franchise seeks better results.

After naming 10 of their 12- person squad for the ANZ Championship next year, McCausland-Durie said her role would expand from being the only part-time coach in the competition to a full-blown gig.

This year the team did five conditioning sessions a week and only one skills training, but next season the load will increase to six fitness-based trainings and five skill practices.

That's a huge increase in the amount of skill work for the team but McCausland-Durie said it was vital if the team wanted to improve on their last-place finish in the 10-team competition.

"We believe an increase in the volume of skill work and conditioning is needed," she said.

"We really want to be top four. We think if we can get a roster together that is competitive throughout the court it is realistic."

The Pulse have recruited well with the addition of Australian Jane Altschwager from the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Altschwager, a 1.93m shooter who has played seven times for Australia, will add flexibility to the Pulse roster by being able to play goal attack and goal shoot.

Silver Fern defender Katrina Grant is a great pick-up from the Southern Steel. The 1.85m 22-year-old will add experience at the back and is comfortable at either goal defence or goal keep.

Seven of last year's squad return, too, and Wellington's Daya Pritchard is the only other new selection.

McCausland-Durie said retaining players was important to building continuity.

"We made some good progress on limited time last year."

Two roster spots remain open and the Manawatu Standard understands English defender Ama Agbeze is likely to fill one, subject to clearance from Trans Tasman Netball Limited.

Agbeze played for the Melbourne Vixens this year, receiving little court time, and could form a strong partnership with Grant.

Agbeze would almost be a straight swap for Jamaican Althea Byfield, who opted not to return to the Pulse and is understood to have signed with the Northern Mystics for next year.

A mid-courter who can play wing attack is likely to fill the final spot.

One player who won't be back next year is Palmerston North's Hannah Broederlow.

McCausland-Durie said Broederlow wasn't tall enough to be a circle defender and hinted that a positional change might be needed in the future if she wants to get back into the frame.

Broederlow is 1.78m, just taller than defender Bessie Manu (1.76m) who has been re-signed, but McCausland-Durie said elite defenders are at least 1.83m plus.

"In general if players don't have height they need power because you need to compete.

"They're going to need something to create pressure on that shot."

- © Fairfax NZ News