Northern Force

The Northern Force were the northernmost team in Netball New Zealand's former premier competition – the National Bank Cup. For the 2008 ANZ Championship the Force merged with the Auckland Diamonds to create the Northern Mystics.

Northern Force
Founded1998
Disbanded2007
Based inAuckland
RegionsAuckland, Northland
Home venueNorth Shore Events Centre
Head coachYvonne Willering
CaptainTemepara George
LeagueNational Bank Cup
2007 placing2nd

Uniform

Based at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, the Force region included North Harbour and Northland, with the majority of its players being based in Auckland. The playing colours of the team were Maroon and Black, and were sponsored by Fujifilm.

History

Perhaps the perennial under-achievers of the competition, the team had always been blessed with many talented sportswomen, yet were unable to win the competition.

Coached by former Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering, the Force were renowned for their formidable defensive line-ups which have included players such as Linda Vagana, Leana de Bruin and Sheryl Scanlan. The Force's midcourt was led by dynamic and inspirational captain and Silver Fern Temepara "the pocket-rocket" George. In the shooting circle, the Force boasted one of the tallest shooters in New Zealand netball at the time, Catherine Latu (at 189 cm).

Players 1998–2007

The Northern Force were filled with New Zealand talent. The defensive line was always strong and included the likes of Leana De-Bruin, Linda Vagana, Lorna Suofoa, Villimina Davu, Sheryl Scanlin, Sharlene Smith-Wolfgramm, Kate Dowling all former or current NZ players. The mid-court included world class Silver fern Temepara George, Angelina Yates and Sonya Hardcastle, all highly rated New Zealand players. Often, the shooting circle would crumble, the shooters were known for drifting in and out of the match. It included Daneka Wipiiti (Silver Fern) and Megan Dehn (former Australian Netball team) but lost them both to the Southern Sting and their new team Southern Steel. Other shooters included Catherine Latu (Samoa), Teresa Tairi (Silver Ferns), Tania Dalton (Silver Ferns) who were all former Internationals.

Shooters

In the 2006 National Bank Cup the Force were semi-finalists, being beaten by the Southern Sting 64–59 in overtime. The shooters finished the season with the following percentages:

2007 Force Team

2006 Force Team

2005 Force Team

2004 Force Team

2003 Force Team

2002 Force Team

2001 Force Team

2000 Force Team

1999 Force Team

1998 Force Team

Coaches

Renowned coach Yvonne Willering served the longest coaching term from 2003 to 2007. Australian Maria Lynch served from 2000 to 2002. Alison Wieringa in 1999 and ex-National league player Mary Jane Araroa coached the team in its first round of the competition in 1998.

Record for the Force in the National Bank Cup
  • 2007– 2nd
  • 2006– 3rd
  • 2005– 3rd
  • 2004– 4th
  • 2003– 2nd
  • 2002– 3rd
  • 2001– 5th
  • 2000– 4th
  • 1999– 3rd
  • 1998– 5th

Overall winning percentage of 61%, which is the second highest winning percentage for any team in the history of the competition.

2007

For the 2007 competition, the Force named a formidable squad, with the inclusion of former Silver Ferns defender Vilimaina Davu transferring from the Canterbury Flames and Sheryl Scanlan returning from pregnancy. This left the Force with an intimidating four Silver Ferns (three former, one current) in their defence end. Suafoa, Scanlan and Davu were former Silver Ferns while de Bruin was a current member of the New Zealand team.

References
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