Pulse excited ahead of new-look season

There is a nervousness mixed with obvious excitement in the Central Pulse camp as they stare down the start of the refurbished national netball competition.

The excitement comes from being part of a new six-team ANZ Premiership, with New Zealand splitting away from Australia’s league to form their own elite netball league.

But the nervousness comes from not knowing if they’ve done enough to be ready for this new stage.

‘‘There’s a good mix of excitement and anticipation but also that little feeling of `have we done enough’,’’ Pulse coach Yvette Mccausland-durie said.

‘‘But it’s more about the excitement, I have huge faith in the players and what they’ve done and more importantly that they’ve got a nice air of confidence.’’

There is certainly a different feel to the class of 2017 than that of the previous year.

In 2016, the team seemed to be labouring through the season as results didn’t go their way, and at times the team environment seems strained.

This year the players all seem to be enjoying each others company, and new coach Mccausland-durie has brought positivity to her role.

Whether that will translate to success on the court is another question. Only playing will provide the answers.

‘‘Having the Otaki pre-season tournament two weeks ago was hugely helpful in giving us a bit of a feel for things,’’mccausland-durie said.

‘‘But we’re very aware that teams will come [to the competition-proper] with a bit more and that’s been our challenge in the last two weeks….’what’s that little bit more that we’re going to bring’.

‘‘We’re looking forward to it but until you start, you really just don’t know how things are going to go.’’

The Pulse play the Northern Mystics in their first game of the season, during a ‘Super Sunday’ in which all six teams play back-to-backto-back in Hamilton.

They have little idea of what the Mystics will offer, despite seeing them play in preseason.

Maria Tutaia and talented England import Sasha Corbin played no part as the Mystics left Otaki winless during the preseason tournament.

‘‘I think the teams across the board are reasonably even and the contest, in terms of who wins the battle, will be a really interesting one,’’ Mccauslanddurie said.

Key off-season signing Cathrine Tuivaiti, looking to reignite her career in a new environment, has overcome a minor calf tweak while sharp-looking defender Phoenix Karaka is back to full fitness after a lingering ankle complaint.