Northern Mystics

History

Formation

Northern Mystics were formed in 2007. The new team was effectively a merger of the two former National Bank Cup teams, Northern Force and Auckland Diamonds. Mystics subsequently became founder members of the ANZ Championship. Yvonne Willering became Mystics first head coach and Temepara George became Mystics first player.

ANZ Championship

Between 2008 and 2016, Mystics played in the ANZ Championship. On 6 April 2008, Mystics made their ANZ Championship debut in a match against Canterbury Tactix at The Trusts Arena, losing 44–48.

In 2011, with a team coached by Debbie Fuller and captained by Temepara George, Mystics reached their first grand final. They finished the regular season fourth behind Queensland Firebirds, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and New South Wales Swifts. During the regular season, Mystics claimed their first win in Australia, with a 56–54 win over West Coast Fever in Round 9. Mystics defeated Swifts in the minor semi-final and Magic in the preliminary final before losing to Firebirds in the grand final. Mystics finished the season second overall.

In 2012, Mystics finished second on the table after the regular season. However, they subsequently lost the major semi-final to Melbourne Vixens and the preliminary final to Magic and finished in third overall. On 20 May 2012, during a Round 8 match against Vixens, Mystics introduced the Harrison Hoist. Anna Harrison made several vital blocks while being hoisted rugby union lineout-style by her defensive partners. Harrison was lifted first by Kayla Cullen and then twice in the final quarter by Jessica Moulds. Mystics won the match 49–45. Cullen and Moulds adopted the role of a lineout lifter to hoist Harrison and the move had the desired result in the final quarter when Vixens goal shooter Karyn Howarth's goal-bound shots were twice batted away.

In 2015, Mystics went through the regular season unbeaten against their fellow New Zealand teams and topped the New Zealand Conference. However they subsequently lost the Conference final to Magic and a semi-final to Firebirds.

;Regular season statistics

Source:

ANZ Premiership

Since 2017, Mystics have played in the ANZ Premiership. In 2021, with a team coached by Helene Wilson and captained by Sulu Fitzpatrick and featuring Ama Agbeze, Bailey Mes and Grace Nweke, Mystics won their first ever premiership. After finishing the regular season as minor premiers, they defeated Mainland Tactix 61–59 in the grand final. In 2023, with a team coached by Tia Winikerei, captained by Sulu Fitzpatrick and featuring Phoenix Karaka, Grace Nweke, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Peta Toeava, Mystics won their second title. Mystics finished the regular season as minor premiers, finishing above Central Pulse and Northern Stars. Mystics defeated Stars 74–56 in the Grand final.

;Regular season statistics

Grand finals

;ANZ Championship

;Netball New Zealand Super Club

;ANZ Premiership

Home venues

Mystics main home venue is The Trusts Arena.

Notable players

2025 squad

Internationals

;

;

• Charlotte Kight
• Jessica Moulds
• Rachel Rasmussen
• Hayley Saunders ;
• Julie Corletto
• Megan Dehn
• Donnell Wallam ;
• Ama Agbeze
• Jade Clarke
• Pamela Cookey
• Sasha Corbin
• Serena Guthrie ;
• Vilimaina Davu ;
• Althea Byfield ;
• Rachel Rasmussen
• Sheryl Scanlan
• Saviour Tui
• Cathrine Tuivaiti ;
• Leana de Bruin

Captains

Source:

Award winners

ANZ Championship awards

;ANZ Championship MVP

;Notes

• Temepara George shared the award with Laura Langman (Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic).

;ANZ Championship Best New Talent

New Zealand Netball Awards

;New Zealand ANZ Championship Player of the Year

;Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award

Sources:

Coaches

Head coaches

Source:

Assistant coaches

Source:

Specialist coaches

Main sponsors

Reserve team

Since 2016, Netball Northern have entered a team in the National Netball League. In 2017 they became known as Northern Marvels. They are effectively the reserve team of Northern Mystics. Helene Wilson was their inaugural head coach. Former Marvels players include Elisapeta Toeava and Grace Nweke. In 2021 Northern Marvels were NNL premiers after they defeated Northern Comets 64–56 in the grand final.

Honours

• ANZ Premiership
  • Winners: 2021, 2023
  • Minor premiers: 2021, 2023
• ANZ Championship
  • Runners Up: 2011
• ANZ Championship – New Zealand Conference
  • Minor premiers: 2015
• Netball New Zealand Super Club
  • Runners Up: 2017, 2019

References

References

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72. (8 July 2017). "Stainless Steel win Super Club". www.pressreader.com.
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90. (12 April 2024). "Is netball's top league tough enough?". Newsroom.
91. "In with the NEW: Mystics Captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson". ANZ Premiership.
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96. (4 June 2015). "Netball: Mytics' Guthrie earns acclaim". www.nzherald.co.nz.
97. (5 June 2015). "Mystics midcourter named best new talent". www.rnz.co.nz.
98. (18 November 2015). "Langman crowned inaugural Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award winner". www.silverferns.co.nz.
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104. (13 July 2010). "Fuller waits in the wings for Mystics". www.nzherald.co.nz.
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107. (7 June 2016). "Mystics coach steps down". www.nzherald.co.nz.
108. (18 May 2022). "Wilson to call time as Mystics head coach". www.northernmystics.co.nz.
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