Netball: Pulse plant seeds of expectation

Rhiarna Ferris is taking decisive steps with other Hawke's Bay talent to see who becomes the first to represent the Pulse franchise from the province. PHOTO/FILE

Establishing a rapport with the catchment areas is essential for the growth of the Pulse franchise as an identity, according to coach Yvette McCausland-Durie.

McCausland-Durie was delighted to see good numbers at the Hawke's Bay Netball clinic a fortnight ago despite the welcome rain that had helped ease the aridity in the province.

"The real neat thing is all the parents who came along so, hopefully, they'll pick up a few little things they can take away and continue with their kids," she said.

The clinics, which McCausland-Durie conducted with some of her premiership netballers, are two-fold in offering something for participants to use to develop their game but also enabling the franchise to engage with the Bay community.

"We've met board members, volunteers who work in the club and school environment and also the officials so it's been good for us."

She lauded the expansive netball infrastructure at the HB Regional Sports Park in Hastings where the HQ is based.

"They've got people who are employed to run roles so, I think, whenever you have that capacity and structure you have the opportunity to grow the game."

As someone from Manawatu, McCausland-Durie appreciates the input of feeder areas on adding value to the franchise.

"The big piece is the Pulse are part of the high-performance programme and so we have a number of Hawke's Bay players who are in a B code programme."

Kimiora Poi, a daily training partner, has been contracted until the start of the competition.
Rhiarna Ferris is another in the B code, while Kelsey McPhee has also moved to Wellington to be part of the equation.

That's why the Pulse contingent is committed to conducting such clinics to break that type of isolation from the centres.

■ 2017 Pulse squad: Te Amo Amaru-Tibble, Sara Bayman, Sheridan Bignall, Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Katrina Grant (c), Phoenix Karaka, Claire Kersten, Whitney Souness, Cathrine Tuivaiti.