Looking to build on a rich legacy, Central Manawa have named an exciting blend of experience and up-and-coming talent in their squad of 12 for the 2025 National Netball League (NNL).
The winners of five titles since the inception of the NNL in 2016, Manawa have been the most successful team during that time and the policy of retaining at least 50 percent of their players each year continues with the on-going development of rising young talent in the Zone.
Elevated from training partner last season, midcourter Erana Ngarimu has earned promotion to the team this year and joins experienced shooter/attacker Kiana Pelasio, well-performed defender Madison Thomas, exciting young shooters Phoenix Schwalger and Sarah Guiney, midcourter Suraya Goss and defender Zalika Clarke who all have previous experience in the team. Experienced midcourter and Tongan international Salote Taufa also makes a return after taking time out last year.
Four newcomers in Kara Adrole, Olivia Dijkstra, Skylah Tainui-Takerei and Yasmin Mayall present with strong credentials in a young but potent squad.
Shooter Dijkstra and defender Mayall, both with New Zealand heritage, played all their age-group netball in Queensland. Dijkstra played for Mainland in the NNL last season and was a training partner for the Queensland Firebirds in 2023.
Talented defender/shooter Adrole is a Manawatū age-group and open representative while Auckland's Tainui-Takerei, a midcourter, was a member of the championship-winning Howick College team. Along with Schwalger and Guiney, she is a former New Zealand Secondary Schools representative.
"I'm delighted to see another young but highly talented Central Manawa squad," Netball Central Director of High Performance Waimarama Taumaunu said.
"There's a great mix across the squad of youth, talent and experience. We envisage a long career for these young players and expect to see many in Pulse colours in the future."
Schwalger, Guiney and Thomas are members of the NZ U21 squad and will be looking for big seasons to cement their spots in the side to contest the World Youth Cup later in the year.
Dijkstra and Thomas are also Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse training partners for 2025.
There will be added demands for all teams in the NNL this season with the competition being reduced to just a single full round robin as well as tweaks to the rules.
New rule innovations coming into play for the ANZ Premiership, including the two-point shot for the last five minutes of each quarter, a coach's box, team time outs and live umpire audio will also be used in the NNL.
Manawa kick off their campaign against Waikato Bay of Plenty at Fly Palmy Arena in Palmerston North on May 10 when they play the curtain-raiser ahead of the Pulse vs Magic ANZ Premiership clash.
2025 Manawa squad:
Erana Ngarimu (Wellington, PIC), Kara Adrole (Manawatū, Manukura Red), Kiana Pelasio (Wellington, PIC), Madison Thomas (Manawatū/Hawke's Bay, Manukura Red/Otane), Olivia Dijkstra (Wellington, WEOG), Phoenix Schwalger (Wellington, PIC), Salote Taufa (Wellington, PIC), Sarah Guiney (Wellington, PIC), Skylah Tainui-Takerei (Wellington, WEOG), Suraya Goss (Wellington, PIC), Yasmin Mayall (Wellington, SMOG), Zalika Clarke (Wellington, PIC).
Head coach: Ngarama Milner-Olsen
Assistant coach: Cushla Lichtwark
Manager: Sarona Sullivan
Strength and conditioning: Joe Collins