Latest news with #AmeliaWalmsley
RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Top netballers may need secondary income as broadcast deal drags on
ANZ Premiership players Amelia Walmsley of the Central Pulse and Jane Watson of the Tactix. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Pay cuts could be coming for New Zealand's top netball players in 2026 as the broadcast deal for the domestic competition drags on. ANZ Premiership players may need a secondary income next season "to make ends meet", according to New Zealand Netball Players Association executive manager Steph Bond. This year's ANZ Premiership concluded on Sunday, but Netball New Zealand is yet to lock in a television deal for next year. The broadcast deal will impact how much players are paid. "The sad part that could end up next year is that actually players will have to look outside of netball to supplement what they are earning to make ends meet," Bond told Midday Report. "In some cases that's a good thing in terms of actually having something off the court, but it's definitely not pushing the sport forward in terms of the progress other sports are making." Bond said players had felt "unsettled" while the negotiations continued. "It's creating challenges for those individuals, which is understandable when you're not sure where your short-term future is heading. "We would normally be in the contracting stage right now in terms of the ANZ Premiership for next year, so we're currently in bargaining with Netball New Zealand to try and see what that landscape will look like next year." The players avoided wide-spread pay cuts this year when a collective employment agreement was negotiated last year for 2025, Bond said to be back facing the potential of pay cuts again was "disappointing". "The community game is still growing despite other, I guess, competing sports in that market and so there is definitely the fans and the people that are supporting the game just at this point in time we don't seem to be able to be getting that turned into dollars and making that a difference at that level." The Netball Players Association supported players looking to Australia to further their career with the "uncertainty" around the future of the New Zealand competition. "I think like anyone, if you look across the ditch, you can see a job over there that potentially is paid better and has different challenges then people will be looking at that and having a look and seeing if that's actually a better option for them." Netball New Zealand updated its Silver Ferns eligibility criteria this month, paving the way for greater flexibility for athletes who wish to play overseas.
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Defensive Effort Earns Tactix Elimination Final Victory
Press Release – ANZ Premiership A storming fourth quarter has propelled the VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix into their third ANZ Premiership Grand Final as they came from behind to beat Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in the Elimination Final. The Tactix kept their clean sheet at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch for the season with a 57-52 win over the Pulse on Sunday night, sending them into the Grand Final where they will meet the Mystics in Auckland in seven days. They needed to rally a huge defensive effort in the last super shot period of play as the Pulse, renowned for their accuracy with two-pointers, netted four super shots in an attempt to steal back the lead. But backed by their home crowd and some key gains from goal defence Karin Burger, the Tactix held their composure to push them through to the Grand Final – a first for new coach Donna Wilkins. It was a mix of the collective defensive pressure through the court and the growing confidence to let the ball go into Ellie Bird, over the top of the long reach of Kelly Jackson, ignited the Tactix late in the third spell and the momentum carried through to the deciding quarter as the hosts started to take control of the match. In contrast, the easy ball that had earlier gone into Pulse shooter Amelia Walmsley dried up for the visitors who found themselves facing a nine-goal deficit midway through the last spell. The Tactix had earlier sprung a surprise in their starting line-up with Burger moving out to the wing and Paris Lokotui taking her spot alongside Jane Watson in the defensive circle. But it was the familiar frontline of Holly Mather, Erikana Pedersen – playing her 100th match for the Tactix – and Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack while Bird got the nod ahead of Martina Salmon at goal shooter. Missing three of their regular starters, including Parris Mason (injury), Whitney Souness and Fa'amu Ioane on the bench, the Pulse went with the experience of Gabi Simpson at centre, Maddy Gordon on the wing and Ainsleyana Puleiata at wing defence while Laura Balmer again teamed with Kelly Jackson in the defensive circle with Amelia Walmsley and Tiana Metuarau pairing up in the shooting circle. With their seasons on the line, each side kept their nerves buried scoring from their centre passes and turnovers from either side kept the scoreline even early in the stanza. Finding the tall timber at either end of the court was aim of both teams – the Tactix moving the ball quickly around the circle while the Pulse looked for the high ball into Walmsley – success coming from the two camps with the scores locked at 5-5. The Tactix' defensive unit attempted to attack the ball outside of the circle, shutting down options into Walmsley, but the quick release from Tiana Metuarau into her shooter gave the visitors the edge in a frenetic first quarter. Souness and Ioane were injected into the match, heading into the super shot period, and another gain to the Pulse gave them a 14-10 advantage at the break. Metuarau attempted her first goal of the game, and landed it, to keep her side ahead on the resumption of play but the Tactix returned to the court with intent, looking to close the four-goal buffer. The struggles up front however returned to the Tactix play, with no easy entry into the shooting circle and an intercept from Jackson gave the visitors a six-goal lead midway through the second quarter. Gordon dictated the tempo up front for the Pulse, hitting the circle edge and firing ball into Walmsley prompting a time-out from the Tactix to switch the defensive line with Burger moving to goal defence and Lokotui to the wing. Five goals remained the difference heading into the second super shot period as the Pulse brought two-point specialist Amorangi Malesala into the match, but it was the Tactix who netted the first long bomb of the game with Selby-Rickit helping to close the gap to 26-30 on the buzzer for halftime. Four quick goals to the Pulse at the start of the second half changed momentum and every goal the hosts were able to net was hard earned as the intensity increased. The midcourt defensive efforts from the Tactix brought them back into the match with two turnovers allowing the hosts to cut the deficit to just two, warming up the red-and-black fans in the stands. Patience with ball in hand was needed and the deflections started to mount for the Tactix as they levelled the scores with two minutes left in the spell, going into the turn with a 41-40 lead. The ANZ Premiership Grand Final between the defending champion Mystics and Tactix will be played at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on 27 July, starting at 4pm.
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Defensive Effort Earns Tactix Elimination Final Victory
A storming fourth quarter has propelled the VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix into their third ANZ Premiership Grand Final as they came from behind to beat Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in the Elimination Final. The Tactix kept their clean sheet at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch for the season with a 57-52 win over the Pulse on Sunday night, sending them into the Grand Final where they will meet the Mystics in Auckland in seven days. They needed to rally a huge defensive effort in the last super shot period of play as the Pulse, renowned for their accuracy with two-pointers, netted four super shots in an attempt to steal back the lead. But backed by their home crowd and some key gains from goal defence Karin Burger, the Tactix held their composure to push them through to the Grand Final – a first for new coach Donna Wilkins. It was a mix of the collective defensive pressure through the court and the growing confidence to let the ball go into Ellie Bird, over the top of the long reach of Kelly Jackson, ignited the Tactix late in the third spell and the momentum carried through to the deciding quarter as the hosts started to take control of the match. In contrast, the easy ball that had earlier gone into Pulse shooter Amelia Walmsley dried up for the visitors who found themselves facing a nine-goal deficit midway through the last spell. The Tactix had earlier sprung a surprise in their starting line-up with Burger moving out to the wing and Paris Lokotui taking her spot alongside Jane Watson in the defensive circle. But it was the familiar frontline of Holly Mather, Erikana Pedersen – playing her 100th match for the Tactix – and Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack while Bird got the nod ahead of Martina Salmon at goal shooter. Missing three of their regular starters, including Parris Mason (injury), Whitney Souness and Fa'amu Ioane on the bench, the Pulse went with the experience of Gabi Simpson at centre, Maddy Gordon on the wing and Ainsleyana Puleiata at wing defence while Laura Balmer again teamed with Kelly Jackson in the defensive circle with Amelia Walmsley and Tiana Metuarau pairing up in the shooting circle. With their seasons on the line, each side kept their nerves buried scoring from their centre passes and turnovers from either side kept the scoreline even early in the stanza. Finding the tall timber at either end of the court was aim of both teams – the Tactix moving the ball quickly around the circle while the Pulse looked for the high ball into Walmsley – success coming from the two camps with the scores locked at 5-5. The Tactix' defensive unit attempted to attack the ball outside of the circle, shutting down options into Walmsley, but the quick release from Tiana Metuarau into her shooter gave the visitors the edge in a frenetic first quarter. Souness and Ioane were injected into the match, heading into the super shot period, and another gain to the Pulse gave them a 14-10 advantage at the break. Metuarau attempted her first goal of the game, and landed it, to keep her side ahead on the resumption of play but the Tactix returned to the court with intent, looking to close the four-goal buffer. The struggles up front however returned to the Tactix play, with no easy entry into the shooting circle and an intercept from Jackson gave the visitors a six-goal lead midway through the second quarter. Gordon dictated the tempo up front for the Pulse, hitting the circle edge and firing ball into Walmsley prompting a time-out from the Tactix to switch the defensive line with Burger moving to goal defence and Lokotui to the wing. Five goals remained the difference heading into the second super shot period as the Pulse brought two-point specialist Amorangi Malesala into the match, but it was the Tactix who netted the first long bomb of the game with Selby-Rickit helping to close the gap to 26-30 on the buzzer for halftime. Four quick goals to the Pulse at the start of the second half changed momentum and every goal the hosts were able to net was hard earned as the intensity increased. The midcourt defensive efforts from the Tactix brought them back into the match with two turnovers allowing the hosts to cut the deficit to just two, warming up the red-and-black fans in the stands. Patience with ball in hand was needed and the deflections started to mount for the Tactix as they levelled the scores with two minutes left in the spell, going into the turn with a 41-40 lead. The ANZ Premiership Grand Final between the defending champion Mystics and Tactix will be played at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on 27 July, starting at 4pm.
Otago Daily Times
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Tactix come from behind to make final
Northern Mystics coach Tia Winikerei looked on from the crowd as she scoped out her team's opponents for the ANZ Premiership final. It will be the Mainland Tactix after they came from behind to beat the Central Pulse 57-52 in the elimination final in Christchurch last night. They will now meet the Mystics in Auckland for the final on Sunday, a repeat of the 2021 edition in which the Mystics beat the Tactix 61-59. Captain Erikana Pederson celebrated her 100th game in the red dress — 130th game overall – in style, claiming a mammoth 50 feeds. It was the cliched game of two halves, the Pulse winning the first, and the Tactix the second, allowing the Tactic to remain undefeated at home this season. The Pulse had better ball speed down the court, which allowed Tiana Metuarau to open up and find Amelia Walmsley. The Tactix struggled bringing the ball through transition with only one option to the ball. It allowed the Pulse to hold a 14-10 lead at the first-quarter break. Jane Watson came out for a fly, but it left Walmsley alone and her feeders made no mistake in finding their shooter. Then defender Kelly Jackson came out on the angle, snaffled a cross-court ball and the Pulse forged ahead to a six-point lead. The Tactix started to eat into the score later in the quarter and Te Paea Selby-Rickit, playing her 180th game, nailed a two-pointer on the buzzer for the Tactix to trail 30-26 at halftime. Having Maddy Gordon and Whitney Souness switch in the midcourt, the latter shifting to centre, has been a master stroke for the Pulse. It allowed Gordon to use her explosive speed and front cut the circle edge, while opening up the space for Souness. Then the Tactix turned it around. They converted more of their turnovers and the Pulse's circle defenders' penalty count began to mount. The home side had all the momentum, and their through-court defence stepped up as they levelled the score. They won the quarter 15-10 and took a 41-40 lead at the break. That lead extended to six within the opening minutes and things really started to click when Burger picked off a brilliant ball. Defensively the Tactix worked as a unit with nearly every player picking up ball. Amorangi Malesala nailed some late two-pointers for the Pulse. ANZ Premiership The scores Mainland Tactix 57 Ellie Bird 47 (47/55), Te Paea Selby-Rickit 10 (9/14) Central Pulse 52 Amelia Walmsley 44 (42/43), Tiana Metuarau 3 (3/3), Amorangi Malesala 5 (3/4) Quarter scores: Central Pulse 14-10, 30-26, 40-41.
NZ Herald
20-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Tactix stage second half comeback to beat Pulse and make ANZ Premiership final
After a four-year wait, the Mainland Tactix are getting another shot at a maiden ANZ Premiership title. The Tactix produced a second half comeback over the Central Pulse this evening, winning 57-52 to book a spot in next Sunday's ANZ Premiership final where they will look to deny the Northern Mystics a hat-trick of titles. Trailing 30-26 at halftime, the home side took control with a five-point advantage in the third quarter eventually re-taking the lead late in the quarter before closing out the elimination final in style. Seven straight goals flipped the contest as the Tactix assured they finished their season at home with a perfect record. Eleanor Bird scored 47 goals, including going 14/16 in the pivotal third quarter which turned the game. Amelia Walmsley was near perfect for the Pulse, shooting 42 from 43, including some late two-point shots as they went on an 8-3 run to finish but falling short. The Tactix have previously lost two finals (2020 and 2021), the last time being against the Mystics. They beat the minor premiers 61-50 in round four in Christchurch but the Mystics took out the most recent clash a week ago 70-56.
