New Zealand's new domestic netball league now has its final team.
The Northern Stars, to be based in South Auckland, will join the five teams from the former transtasman league and will be based at the new High Wire Trust gymnasium in Papakura.
Leana de Bruin, Kayla Cullen and Maia Wilson headline the playing roster and Australian Julie Hoornweg will coach the team. Temepara Bailey, the former Silver Ferns vice-captain, will be an assistant coach.
Fijian shooter Afa Rusivakula will fill the import spot, while Malia Paseka, Sulu Fitzpatrick and Courtney Tairi are other players of note in the squad.
Hoornweg, who set up the Melbourne Vixens franchise in Australia, was hoping to bring a new vitality to the team.
''Our aim is that this team will bring a new vitality to netball, and the opportunity for fans to see a bright, new shiny team. A team who are robust, athletic and exciting; who make you say 'Wow!','' she said.
''But we also want it to be a team that gives opportunity for netballers in this part of New Zealand.
''We want to create an identity here, and show young athletes there is a pathway to the top. We also want to build a community. And if we can create a cauldron of excitement and energy here, it will be absolutely fantastic.''
She was looking forward to coaching with Bailey and hoped to pass on her knowledge to others in New Zealand.
''I'm very aware that I'm an Aussie taking a role a local coach could have taken, and I don't want to bottleneck coaching here.
''It is one of my aims to share my knowledge and learnings of top-level netball with others.''
