Pulse prepared for 2014 ANZ Champs

Wanganui-born Silver Fern netballer and Haier Central Pulse player Joline Henry said her Pulse squad is looking good ahead of the start of the 2014 ANZ Championship.

Henry, 31, who made her return to the national side in 2013 after injury and the birth of her son, is back with the Pulse having just rounded off a weekend team camp with a series of surfing activities at the Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club.

Based on the makeup of the team, which includes new star signing Irene van Dyk, Henry said next season's transtasman competition is "going to be a real cracker".

"There's a really good mix. The newbies are bringing some different dynamics and I think they're going to add lots of different values.

"There's the potential to be a really great team it's very exciting."

However, before the unit can settle into their training groove they have to bring all the parts together, plus there is the small matter of the international stage for Henry and the others.

Missing from the weekend's run-around which included touch rugby as well as surf-lifesaving were Donna Wilkins and Liana Leota, who both had family commitments, while import Ama Agbeze is remaining in the United Kingdom to prepare for England trials prior to the January tests with Henry's Silver Ferns.

"We've still got Christmas, we've, got the UK tour, and then we can get into full swing," Henry said.

"The reality is that this is an international campaign that all of the New Zealand franchises have bought into and unfortunately we are affected by it more than most, due to the number of squad and accelerant members involved.

"Just knowing that when we are taking part in an international programme, it makes us better netballers as individuals, and that can only be better for the team.

"You kind of have to look at the positives from both sides," Henry explained.

The Pulse squad will train as a group until the week before Christmas, and then the Silver Fern members will depart to play England and Jamaica.

Henry said coach Robyn Broughton will still have them where they need to be.

"I've certainly missed Robyn, but was fortunate enough to go down to Invercargill during the international season," said Henry, who missed half of last season's Pulse campaign.

"She had us over and fed us up with cheese rolls and Wellington slices and other nice things. It must have worked, because we were actually really successful that night against Australia."

The Haier Pulse open their campaign against the Adelaide Thunderbirds at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua, on March 3.