Netball: Moulds on move to Mystics

For the past three years, Otago goal keep Jess Moulds has done her best to stop players scoring, only to slip through the net herself.

The 20-year-old New Zealand under-21 captain is leaving Dunedin and moving north to play for the Northern Mystics in the ANZ Championship.

Moulds' decision to sign with the Auckland-based franchise two weeks ago has largely been overlooked.

Her signature did not attract the flurry of headlines that followed Anna Scarlett's decision to return from a three-year break from the sport and join the Mystics.

The was no press release in the inbox and no mention of the player on the Mystics' website.

But while the Mystics might not have announced her arrival with all the typical fanfare, it is a fantastic opportunity for the promising 1.88m defender.

"I don't think there was anything [in the newspapers] but I'm not too fussed about that," she said.

"I haven't really told anyone or anything like that."

Moulds said the franchise approached her about her plans for next year and everything fell into place from there.

"It is a great opportunity for me.

Even to be on the bench for a year is going to be such a good learning experience.

Obviously, from there, I'll be looking to get more and more court time and hopefully get into that starting line-up.

"And I'm from Northland so it will be quite cool to be close to home again.

"It is quite sad [to leave Dunedin] but it's time - I've done my three years."

Moulds has completed a bachelor of science degree at the University of Otago and was planning to return to do a postgraduate diploma.

Those plans may have to be put on hold.

Moulds will join a star-studded cast at the Mystics which includes Silver Ferns Temepara George, Maria Tutaia, Joline Henry, Grace Rasmussen and Scarlett.

But first there is one last hurrah with the Otago team.

The province opens its national championship campaign against Wellington in Porirua on Saturday.

Moulds is looking forward to the challenge.

Otago finished fourth last year and third the previous two years.

It last won the title in 1998, the same year the Otago Rebels won the franchise-based competition.

Otago had a wake-up call when it crashed to two heavy loses against Canterbury in August, but Moulds believes the team will be competitive.

"Canterbury are pretty much the Tactics and have been playing together all season. We definitely put up a good fight and we've built a lot since then."