Haier Pulse Announces Exciting Squad Packed With Experience

Media Release
7 November 2012

Haier Pulse Announces Exciting Squad Packed With Experience

The momentum is building for an exciting 2013 Haier Pulse season, with the unveiling of a squad which blends the key players from this year’s campaign with several key signings.

The team will be led again by the respected leadership team of captain Katrina Grant and vice-captain Joline Henry, who has committed to return to the Haier Pulse following the birth of her baby in the new year.

New faces include the experienced Donna Wilkins, who shot 90.2% for the Steel this year and has represented New Zealand in both netball and basketball, along with fellow former Silver Fern Liana Leota, who was awarded MVP in the 2010 ANZ Championship. She has been living in the UK, where her husband Johnny plays rugby for the Sale Sharks, but is looking forward to her return and joining up with the Haier Pulse for 2013. Also wearing the Haier Pulse colours for the first time will be former New Zealand U21 player Claire Kersten.

Amongst those returning are midcourter Millie Lees, who had a stand-out series with the Silver Ferns, and Caitlin Thwaites, who made her debut for the Australian Diamonds in therecent Quad Series game against the South Africa in Wellington, shooting a perfect 23 from 23.

The franchise is delighted to also welcome back Te Huinga Selby Ricket, who is a member of the wider Silver Ferns squad, and Paula Griffin, Victoria Smith, Daya Wiffen and Amber Bellringer, all of whom made a significant contribution to the success of the Haier Pulse team this year.

Haier Pulse Head Coach Robyn Broughton was delighted with the players making up the squad for the 2013 ANZ Championship campaign. “They are players with outstanding skills and the challenge will be to develop their individual skills for the benefit of the team,” she said. “This will enable us to build on the progress we made this year and to aim for a top position in the 2013 competition.”

General Manager Kyla Lange said that the quality of the squad is a reflection of the ambition within the franchise. “We have made some key new signings for 2013 as we look to build on the excellent work of last season,” she explained.

“Five wins and several close losses represented a significant step forward for the Haier Pulse, but we believe that this squad is capable of much more. Retaining the core of last year’s team was vital for continuity and the addition of proven internationals such as Donna and Liana will help us to achieve our goal of making the play-offs for the first time.”

Haier Pulse 2013 Squad

Katrina Grant (C)
Joline Henry (VC)
Amber Bellringer
Paula Griffin
Claire Kersten
Camilla Lees
Liana Leota
Te Huinga Selby Rickit
Victoria Smith
Caitlin Thwaites
Daya Wiffen
Donna Wilkins

Liana Leota Factfile

DOB: 31st October 1984
Franchises: Southern Steel 2008-2011; Haier Pulse 2013
Test Debut: 2008
Test Caps: 25
Commonwealth Games: 2010 Delhi (gold medal).

Donna Wilkins Factfile

DOB: 29th April 1978
Franchises: Southern Steel 2009, 2012; Canterbury Tactix 2011; Haier Pulse 2013
Test Debut: 1996
Test Caps: 64
Olympic Games: 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens (both basketball)
Commonwealth Games: 1998 Kuala Lumpur (silver medal, netball), 2002 Manchester (silver medal, netball), 2006 Melbourne (silver medal, basketball).

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