Rescue act helps Pulse boost roster

The bottom-of-the-table Central Pulse have put the finishing touch on a strong recruitment campaign, signing English defender Ama Agbeze.

Agbeze joins the Pulse from the Melbourne Vixens as the Wellington-based franchise made the most of a rescue package aimed at supporting any team finishing ninth or 10th for consecutive seasons.

Despite their first trans-Tasman league win in the penultimate round of this year's league – a 53-52 win over NSW Swifts – the Pulse were the only team able to apply for concessions.

Among the measures were the right to contract two non-eligible players, and to apply for a $25,000 grant from the Trans-Tasman Netball League.

The Pulse have lost Jamaican defender Althea Byfield, but have made some strong acquisitions, including Agbeze and Silver Ferns defender Katrina Grant from the Steel.

Adelaide Thunderbirds shooter Jane Altschwager boosts the Pulse's shooting lineup.

The Northern Mystics confirmed their status as the most energetic of the New Zealand franchises. Only four players remain from the 12 who last year finished eighth out of the 10 teams. Silver Ferns midcourt pivot Temepara George stays, as does goal shoot Cathrine Latu, who finished last year's league with an impressive 86 percent success rate from 13 games.

Only long-serving New Zealand goal shoot Irene van Dyk bettered that over the full season with 93 per cent.

Defensive utility Finau Pulu is still on the Mystics' roster, as is attacking midcourter and national under-21 representative Grace Rasmussen.

Heading those making the trek to Auckland are Silver Ferns Maria Tutaia and Joline Henry, both formerly of Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.

Joining them are New Zealand team-mate Larrissa Willcox, who played for Canterbury Tactix this season, and Byfield, moving from the Pulse.

Former Silver Fern turned television commentator Jenny-May Coffin has also returned to the franchise.

Among missing from last year's roster are Stephanie Bond, Vilimaina Davu, Rawinia Everitt, Keshia Grant, Rachel Rasmussen, Debbie White and shooter Jade Topia, who has signed for Southern Steel.

Canterbury Tactix look to have fared the worst in the transfer window, losing shooter Jodi Brown to Magic and Sonia Mkoloma to NSW Swifts, as well as Willcox.

On the plus side, they have picked up Australian defender Peta Stephens from Queensland Firebirds, and retained Silver Ferns Maree Bowden and Anna Thompson.

The Magic, runners-up in 2008, have maintained a solid squad despite the loss of Henry, Tutaia and Leana de Bruin (Steel), with the inclusion of Australian defender Peta Scholz further strengthening their lineup.

The Steel will be without shooter Donna Wilkins, but have a talented young replacement in Topia as well as a potentially destructive defensive pairing in Sheryl Scanlan and de Bruin.

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- © Fairfax NZ News