August 18, 2016

The experience provided by stylish Silver Ferns shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio (nee Wells) will be a key component for the Central Pulse in next year’s ANZ Netball Elite League.

Recently married, Ekenasio relocated from Australia to Wellington in 2014, playing for the Pulse in 2015-16 and having no hesitation in signing up again for the first edition of the new-look New Zealand-based league next season.

"Wellington is home now and the Pulse were always my team of choice for next year,’’ she said. "I’m looking forward to helping build a new and exciting era for the team.’’

Ekenasio will be joined at the Pulse in 2017 by promising midcourters Whitney Souness, Claire Kersten and Sheridan Bignall along with defender Karin Burger, the quartet having strong links with Netball Central.

After first making the Pulse team in 2015, Souness, 20, missed the entire 2016 season with a serious knee injury and was replaced by the hard-working and reliable Kersten, who had previous experience with the Pulse in the now defunct trans-Tasman competition. Bignall and Burger will make the step up to the elite level after delivering consistently strong performances in this year’s inaugural Beko League where the pair helped Netball Central to a second place finish.

"Ameliaranne has huge leadership potential and getting an experienced shooter of Silver Ferns calibre is massive for us,’’ Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie said.

"While she is a senior player, there is lots of scope for her to continue to develop and grow her game from a playing point of view as well as a leader. There’s not many specialist goal attacks around at the moment, so it will be a huge asset to have her ability and experience. It’s a significant feature looking ahead that she has recommitted to the Pulse.’’

Predominantly an in-circle defender, Wellington’s Burger was a constant standout throughout the Beko League, leaving a strong enough impression with the national selectors to warrant a call-up for this week’s Silver Ferns trial.

"That’s huge for somebody from the Beko League to achieve so quickly and she now has the opportunity to continue her growth and development across all three defensive positions at the highest level,’’ McCausland-Durie said.

Captain of the Central Beko League team where she shone with her consistently high standards from centre, Manawatu’s Bignall is a former New Zealand under-21 player.

"Part of what we’re looking at is our sustainability and building for the years ahead,’’ McCausland-Durie said. "That means recognising the pathways we have at Netball Central and that players can achieve higher honours by performing consistently well at Beko League level.’’

After several years in the national development squad, Souness, predominantly a wing attack, has long been earmarked as a bright prospect.

"Her return to court is now eagerly awaited,’’ McCausland-Durie said.  "She has done all the hard work with her rehabilitation and left no stone unturned. She is a dynamic player and I’m looking forward to her making a big impact across the coming season.

"I’m really happy with these five signings. They are good people and good people make for good players and that’s critical in our forward building. I’m really excited about the whole season…..there’s a new competition, a new year, new opportunities and I have absolute faith in the potential of this group and their contribution to our fortunes in the future.’’
 

ENDS.

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