KEY POINTS:
The Central Pulse have been fined after failing to meet yesterday's deadline to name their full squad.
Early last month the cash-strapped and coachless Pulse were granted a further 20 working days to name their team after missing their original cut-off date.
The coaching situation is now resolved with the Pulse yesterday confirming netball's worst kept secret that New Zealand Under-21 coach Yvette McCausland-Durie will be replacing the ousted Kate Carpenter.
But given the late appointment of McCausland-Durie, the Pulse were unable to name their squad for next season. The Wellington-based franchise have been granted a further 18 working days to finalise their roster, but also copped a fine from Transtasman Netball Limited (TTNL) for failing to meet their obligations.
TTNL boss Anthony Everard declined to specify the amount of the fine, but it is thought to be relatively minor - around $2000 to $3000.
"The competition rules bear a number of obligations on teams, in this instance they have just missed a deadline, so the fine is in proportion to that," Everard said.
Despite their poor financial position, Pulse chief executive Nigel Kirkpatrick said he was happy to cop the fine to ensure the franchise has every chance of assembling the most competitive side possible.
"For an organisation that doesn't have a lot of money we made the decision to pay the fine rather than rush these things through," said Kirkpatrick.
"It's not a significant amount and it's far better to do things properly."
Although there is an extension in place, new coach McCausland-Durie said she hopes to name her lineup as quickly as possible to ensure her side don't slip even further behind the competition.
But with the nine other franchises having all but confirmed their squads the pool of players the Pulse can draw from is extremely limited.
At the time of Carpenter's axing there was speculation McCausland-Durie would take over and the Pulse would become the NZ Under-21s in disguise.
While the rumours have proved correct in the case of the coaching appointment, McCausland-Durie insists the Pulse will not become a development team for the Under-21s.
"The ANZ Champs is a huge competition - you're up against the best in the world so I'm really realistic that we need to have a balance of youth and experience," she said.
The former Western Flyers coach said her first port of call is to go back to the group that is already there including Silver Ferns shooter Paula Griffin and Jamaican defender Althea Byfield and then look to fill in the gaps.
"I think there's a few senior players still around that are worth approaching and having a look at."
Along with the Pulse, the Southern Steel are yet to confirm their final lineup as they await the outcome of an appeal over the eligibility of their 12th player. The Steel had hoped to sign an Australian shooter - now believed to be Sydney youngster Leah Shoard, who was unwanted by the NSW Swifts for next season - but Netball NZ blocked the move. The Steel have applied to the eligibility committee to reconsider the decision.
The Canterbury Tactix have finalised their 12th spot on the roster, signing former Silver Fern Angela Mitchell. The wiry goal-attack is set to make a return to top-level netball after taking time-out for the birth of her first child.
