Anna Harrison last played for the Mystics in 2014. Photo / Getty
Anna Harrison will return to the Mystics for the 2016 ANZ Championship season after a two-year break from the netball.
The 32-year-old, who has won World Champs and Commonwealth Games gold medals with the Silver Ferns, said she was always keen to get back into the game following the birth
of her second child.
"I always wanted to come back, but couldn't be sure how life would play out," Harrison said.
"I'm feeling really good, though. I had a few run-arounds against the Mystics in training towards the end of this season and provided opposition for the Silver Ferns in training games before the World Cup too."
Harrison debuted for the Silver Ferns in 2002, has played 79 tests for her country, and has also represented New Zealand in both indoor and beach volleyball.
She last played for the Mystics in 2014.
The Mystics have some very promising young defenders - such as Temalisi Fakahokotau and Sulu-Tone-Fitzpatrick - and linking with them was a "big drawcard" for Harrison, who can play GK, GD or WD.
"Anna is thorough in her preparation, she's a committed campaigner and she delivers a skill set in defence that can throw opposition precision," says the Mystics coach Debbie Fuller.
Also announced today to join the 2016 Mystics squad are Holly Fowler and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, who are both in the national development squad.
Fowler (18) is head girl at Mt Albert Grammar and has represented the New Zealand Secondary Schools side for the last four seasons. The defender shone in the winning Northern Zone u23 team this year, with Fuller noting her "ability to consistently take ball off opposition through reading play ahead of the intercept and having the athleticism to execute."
Sokolich-Beatson (18) finished at Whangaporoa College last year and has also played for the national schools' team.
