Netball: Pulse sign Chelsea Pitman

Chelsea Pitman has signed with the Central Pulse. Photo / Christine Cornege

Former Australian international Chelsea Pitman is set to make a surprise return to the transtasman league next season with the Central Pulse.

The former Firebirds and Fever midcourter missed this year's ANZ Championship after moving to England with her partner former Warrior and Kiwi league international Kevin Locke, who she will wed in December.

Despite having played 15 tests for Australia, Pitman will not carry import status for the Pulse as she fits into a small category of players in the transtasman league that carry dual eligibility courtesy of having both Australian and Kiwi heritage. Pitman, whose mother is a New Zealander, will also be eligible to play for the Silver Ferns after next month's World Cup.

The 27-year-old was a member of the Australian side that won the 2011 title in Singapore, but international rules only prevent a player from representing two different nations at consecutive pinnacle events, so once this year's World Cup is done and dusted Pitman will be free to play for another country if she so wishes.

Pitman said she is excited about the opportunity to return to New Zealand, having made her transtasman league debut for the Tactix in 2010.

"I cannot wait. I feel a big sense of 'home' when I am in New Zealand, because all my family, apart from my direct family, is in NZ," she said.

"Growing up, New Zealand was where we spent every school holiday and Christmas, so I am excited about being closer to them."

Pitman has kept her hand in the game while in the UK, turning out for English Super League side the Manchester Thunder, coached by newly appointed England coach Tracey Neville.

"I've had a great year with the Thunder," said Pitman.

"I made some great friends, learnt a new style of netball and got to experience what the UK had to offer with Super League. I really enjoyed being coached by Tracey Neville and I can take a lot from what I learnt from her and apply that to my netball going forward."

Pitman, who started out her career in the shooting circle before converting to the midcourt, believes she can help make a difference to the underperforming Pulse outfit.

"Each year they are improving and this is such an amazing opportunity to grow more as a player and add another dimension to my game. I am also up for the challenge of helping to make a difference to hopefully get the Pulse on the successful end of winning games more consistently," she said.

"I am also keen to meet my new teammates and getting to know everyone, but I am really looking forward to just getting stuck into training and back into that competitive environment.

Pulse coach Tanya Dearns was keen to secure Pitman, given that she can play at wing attack and centre, as well as in the shooting circle at goal attack.

"My focus during the recruitment process for 2016 has been about finding a point of difference and securing Chelsea really enforces that," said Dearns.

"She brings a world championship title, a wealth of international experience, having just finished playing in the UK Super League, several years of ANZ Champs and a level of intensity that will add huge value to what we want to achieve going forward.

"To say I am excited about our potential attacking combinations is an understatement," she added.

Pitman joins Katrina Grant, Phoenix Karaka, Elias Shadrock and Whitney Souness as confirmed Pulse signings for 2016.