Central Manawa are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington. Since 2016 they have represented Netball Central in the National Netball League. Netball Central is the governing body that represents the Hawke's Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki and Wellington Regions. They are effectively the reserve team of Central Pulse. Between 2016 and 2018 they played as Central Zone. Since 2019, they have played as Central Manawa. Between 2017 and 2019, Central Zone/Central Manawa won three successive NNL titles. In 2022, Central Manawa won a fourth title.
History Foundation In 2016, Central Zone where founder members of Netball New Zealand's National Netball League. In the inaugural grand final a Central Zone team coached by Yvette McCausland-Durie lost 51–46 to Netball South.
Three successive titles In 2017, Central Zone won their first National Netball League title. With a team featuring Karin Burger, Rhiarna Ferris, Tiana Metuarau, Kimiora Poi and Ainsleyana Puleiata, they won the title after defeating Hellers Netball Mainland 43–41 in the grand final at The Trusts Arena. Central Zone retained the title in 2018 after defeating Waikato Bay of Plenty 62–53 in the grand final. Ahead of the 2019 season, the team adopted a new name, voted on by the public. The now renamed Central Manawa, completed a three in a row after defeating Waikato Bay of Plenty 49–46 in the 2019 grand final.
Fourth title In 2022 with a team featuring Renee Matoe, Parris Mason and Amelia Walmsley, Central Manawa won a fourth title after defeating Mainland 49–41 in the grand final.
Fifth title In 2023, with a team featuring Parris Mason, Central Manawa, won their fifth National Netball League title after defeating Northern Comets 45–43 in the grand final at TSB Bank Arena.
Grand Finals Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2016Netball South51–46Central ZoneThe Trusts Arena2017Central Zone43–41Hellers Netball MainlandThe Trusts Arena2018Central Zone62–53Waikato Bay of PlentyPulman Arena, Takanini 2019Central Manawa49–46Waikato Bay of PlentyHorncastle Arena2022Central Manawa49–41MainlandPulman Arena, Takanini2023Central Manawa45–43Northern CometsTSB Bank Arena
Notable players Internationals
Karin Burger Maddy Gordon Mila Reuelu-Buchanan Tiana Metuarau Kimiora Poi Elle Temu
Eseta Autagavaia Ainsleyana Puleiata Saviour Tui
'Api Taufa Salote Taufa
Central Pulse players Te Amo Amaru-Tibble Sheridan Bignall Paris Lokotui Parris Mason Renee Matoe Renee Savai'inaea Amelia Walmsley ANZ Premiership players Abby Erwood Kelsey McPhee Grace Namana Others Rhiarna Ferris, New Zealand women's rugby sevens international
NNL Player of the Year Season Winner 2016Karin Burger2017Mila Reuelu-Buchanan2022Ainsleyana Puleiata
Coaches Head coaches Coach YearsYvette McCausland-Durie2016 Natalie Milicich2017 Pelesa Semu 2018–2019Anna Andrews-Tasola2019–2022Ngarama Milner-Olsen2022–
Assistant coaches Coach YearsFrances Solia2016 Anna Andrews-Tasola2017–2019 Emma Weenink 2019–2022 John Atkins2019–2022 Cushla Lichtwark 2022– Renee Matoe2022–
Honours National Netball League Winners: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 Runners Up: 2016
References