The 2018 Super Club wrapped up on Friday night with the Central Pulse winning its inaugural title after beating hosts the Mainland Tactix.
After five days and twenty games of high-octane international netball, the Wellington side pipped the Tactix 61-56 in a thrilling final at the Trafalgar Centre.
Pulse captain Clare Kersten says the win was a perfect way to cap off an incredibly enjoyable week and season.
“It’s been exciting to play various styles and we have loved the challenge of the two-point option, it has been a really fun year and this week has been no exception.”
She says they hope to do it all again in 2019.
During the week-long tournament, teams took a break from the court on Wednesday for a community engagement day.
Players were treated to ziplining at Cable Bay, kayaking at Kaiteriteri, hiking to the Centre of New Zealand and meeting with local children.
Scottish side the Sirens enjoyed a Q and A and skills session at Clifton Terrace School.
The Sirens fielded questions such as what was your biggest ever win and who is the tallest player?
After students performed a haka for the women, they returned in kind with a rendition of Flower of Scotland.
The students were then treated to an hour of court time with the players.
The Super Club tournament acted as a homecoming of sorts for Sirens player and Kiwi Monica Faulkner.
Monica says it was fantastic to get out and about in the community.
“It’s a great day, I love going into all the schools because all the kids really enjoy having something different to do, as a school kid you love to get out of the classroom, but it’s also really exciting for us.”
Monica says coming from the far north she was lapping up the Nelson sunshine.
“It’s my first time in Nelson, it’s beautiful, nice and warm.”
A member of the NZU21 team who won Gold at Netball World Youth Cup, Monica says the chance to sign for the Sirens came about after she missed out on selection for the Waikato/BOP Magic.
“They (Scotland) went to Netball NZ and it fed down, I had a couple of days to think about it and I thought it would be a great opportunity to get to know some new girls and play with a new team, and it’s been awesome.”
Despite results not quite going the way of the Scots, Monica says the side thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Match reports and photos from the games throughout the week-long Super Club can be found in the sport section of the Nelson App.
