Northern Mystics
| Northern Mystics | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Franchise information | |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Based in | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Regions |
Northland Region Auckland Region |
| Main venue | Trusts Stadium |
| Main sponsor | SKYCITY |
| Team colours | Royal Blue, Pale Blue & White |
| Head coach | Helene Wilson |
| Co-captains | Maria Tutaia and Anna Harrison |
| Website | northernmystics.co.nz |
| ANZ Championship | |
| Titles won | None |
| 2016 finish | 3rd (NZ Conference) |
The Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland who currently compete in the ANZ Premiership. The club was formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup – the Northern Force and the Auckland Diamonds – after the competition was retired that year. In 2008, the Mystics joined four other New Zealand franchises in the new ANZ Championship, representing the New Zealand regions of Northland and Auckland.
Home games in the ANZ Championship are usually played at Trusts Stadium in Waitakere, although some matches are played at the North Shore Events Centre and Vector Arena. The team uniform is primarily blue – consistent with traditional Auckland sporting colours – in addition to red and white. Former Silver Fern Debbie Fuller currently coaches the Mystics, stepping up from the role of assistant coach in 2011. The team are captained by veteran Silver Ferns midcourter Temepara George, who has led them in every match since the start of their inaugural season.
In four seasons of the ANZ Championship, the Mystics have continually made widespread changes to their playing roster and coaching staff. Their first three years have seen the Auckland-based side finished no higher than sixth, although an international-laden lineup saw improved performances in 2010. The Mystics had their most successful season in 2011, qualifying for their first finals and earning a spot in the grand final, before finishing runners up to the Queensland Firebirds.
The ANZ Championship was founded in 2007 as the new elite domestic netball competition in New Zealand and Australia. It replaced the National Bank Cup in New Zealand and the Commonwealth Bank Trophy in Australia, which both played their final season in 2007. When the new trans-Tasman competition was announced, the competition was reported to feature five teams from each country. For the new competition, five New Zealand franchises were formed from amalgamations of National Bank Cup teams. A franchise based in Auckland was proposed early in the selection process. The five New Zealand franchises were finalised and approved in May 2007, including one representing the northern regions of Northland and Auckland, formed as an amalgamation of the Northern Force and Auckland Diamonds from the National Bank Cup.
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