With a challenging shorter season in front of them, Central Manawa are focused on delivering a productive start in their Synergy Hair Netball League (NNL) opener against Waikato Bay of Plenty in Palmerston North on Saturday.
The continuation of the league – which was introduced in 2016 to underpin the ANZ Premiership by providing a performance pathway for the next tier of elite netballers, coaches and management – was not confirmed until April and as a result will have a reduced season.
The six-strong team league will play just the one full round but mirroring the ANZ Premiership has introduced the two-point shot which comes into play for the last five minutes of each quarter, with shots worth double when converted from the 3.5m range.
In what is shaping as a cut-throat season, experience will count for plenty. With five titles under their belt, Manawa have been the dominant force since the league's inception, finishing runners-up last year and have a young group with a blend of fresh faces and proven performers for their 2025 edition.
"First and foremost in this opening match, it's about owning our own roles on court and whether you're experienced or not experienced at this level, we should be able to do our job," Manawa coach Ngarama Milner-Olsen said.
"But, I'll certainly be looking for the leadership to step up…..those who have been in the framework for a few years. There are several players that we can call on, so it's about demanding and expecting more from ourselves first and foremost and then our leaders, obviously, leading by example, as well."
Co-captains Kiana Pelasio (goal attack/wing attack) and Tongan midcourt international Salote Taufa are joined by Pulse training partners Olivia Dijstra (shooter) and Madi Thomas (defence) along with NZU21 squad member shooters Phoenix Schwalger and Sarah Guiney who will add their collective experienced clout across the court as part of a youthful blend.
While the team has spent time in the pre-season working on the two-point shot scenarios and understanding its value, it hasn’t been all-consuming.
"It's an unknow, but we haven't really focussed on that per se. The main focus for us is ensuring that we treasure our own ball whether that's two-point or one-point shot possession," Milner-Olsen said.
"So, I think it's important not to get too fixated on that but understand and utilise it to our advantage when needed. It's (two-point shot) only a few minutes of the game and it can be critical but if we can utilise that to our advantage, I think that will be key."
The unknown future of the competition threw a spanner in the works, resulting in a shorter pre-season than usual but the coach was grateful for warm-up games against the Mainland and Blast teams in helping their preparations.
With just the one-round format, being on-song from the get-go is at the forefront of the Milner-Olsen's mind.
"You don't get a second life and you've pretty much got to go through unbeaten. But like every game, you just want to put your best netball out on court, so we're just focussing on our processes and letting the outcome deliver itself," she said.
"There's a lot we can't control, so It's all about controlling the things we can."
The match will be played as the curtain-raiser to sister teams Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse and Magic, who will kick-start the ANZ Premiership season.