26 November 2009– by ANZ Championship

The 2009 ANZ Championship season was full of highs, lows, excitement, intensity and physical on-court battles. Over the next few weeks the ANZ Championship website brings you a review of the season team by team, and looks at your team?s prospects in 2010. We start with Central Pulse who achieved a significant milestone in 2009: winning their first ANZ Championship game.

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CENTRAL PULSE - 2009 Season Review

Placing - 10th; Won 1, Lost 12

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Finishing on the bottom of the ladder for the second consecutive year, the 2009 ANZ Championship season was a difficult one for? Central Pulse. After 26 games they finally experienced their first ever victory.?It came in Round 13 with a one goal win over the reigning premiers the NSW Swifts.

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Season 2010 looks like being a much brighter story for the competition`s ultimate underdogs. With an increase in funding and some handy new recruits, the Pulse may cause a few surprises next season. Could 2010 be the year that Pulse makes a move off the bottom of the ladder???????

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2010 Season Prospects

With several holes in their starting line up over the past two seasons, Pulse looks set to field their strongest and most competitive side yet. The backline will be one of their key strengths with English international Ama Abgeze, lured as an import from the Vixens. She will be partnered by Silver Ferns defender Katrina Grant in the circle. Playing with the Steel last season, Grant is one of the hottest prospects in New Zealand netball and gives the Pulse some much needed defensive weaponry.
2009 captain Cushla Lichtwark is likely to retain her position at wing defence and should provide a lot of protection and support for Abgeze and Grant. This backend combination could hold the key to the Pulse?s success.

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?In the front end, Jane Altschwager becomes the team?s second import and adds much needed height and experience to the shooting circle. The former Australian representative played with the Adelaide Thunderbirds last season but was starved of court time and opportunity. The unorthodox goaler, who stands at 193cm, will be out to prove her worth and is likely to become a key figure in the Pulse attacking structure.
Altschwager will line up with current Silver Ferns shooter Paula Griffin who made major inroads at international level in 2009. If both?shooters can find their mark early in the season, they have the ability to develop into a dangerous and unpredictable combination.?????

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Player to Watch

Camilla Lees is one of the sport`s rising young stars. In her debut season, the 20-year-old mid-courter caught the eyes of national selectors with her brilliant athleticism and court craft. Unfazed by the big occasion, Lees embraced the challenge, taking the contest to some of the best centres in the world. Her impressive performances saw her selected in the Silver Ferns Squad and she is certainly a player to watch in 2010.???

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?In - Jane Altchwager (formerly Thunderbirds), Ama Abgeze (Vixens), Katrina Grant (Steel), Alanah Cassidy, Daya Pritchard

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Out - Hannah Broederlow, Althea Byfield (Mystics), Larissa Harrison, Katie King, Neesha Wieser

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2010 Squad ? Ama Abgeze; Jane Altschwager; Te Amo Amaru-Tibble; Alanah Cassidy; Katrina Grant; Paula Griffin; Jamilah Gupwell; Camilla Lees; Cushla Lichtwark; Bessie Manu; Ngarama Milner-Olsen; Daya Pritchard

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Coach ? Yvette McCausland-Durie

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CENTRAL PULSE - New Zealand

Region: Eastern, Western, Wellington and Tasman

Home Stadia: TSB Arena (Wellington), Te Rauparaha Arena (Porirua), Pettigrew Green Arena (Napier)

Website: www.pulse.org.nz

Broadcast: watch the Pulse in action in 2010 LIVE on SKY Sport

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The Hottest Game in Town is back on 20 March 2010.??
Click here for the full 2010 ANZ Championship Draw.

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Pictured: Central Pulse 2009 (PHOTO: Michael Bradley)

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