# Central Manawa

Central Manawa are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington. Since 2016 they have represented Netball Central in the National Netball League. Netball Central is the governing body that represents the Hawke's Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki and Wellington Regions. They are effectively the reserve team of Central Pulse. Between 2016 and 2018 they played as Central Zone. Since 2019, they have played as Central Manawa. Between 2017 and 2019, Central Zone/Central Manawa won three successive NNL titles. In 2022, Central Manawa won a fourth title.

## History
### Foundation

In 2016, Central Zone where founder members of Netball New Zealand's National Netball League. In the inaugural grand final a Central Zone team coached by Yvette McCausland-Durie lost 51–46 to Netball South.

### Three successive titles

In 2017, Central Zone won their first National Netball League title. With a team featuring Karin Burger, Rhiarna Ferris, Tiana Metuarau, Kimiora Poi and Ainsleyana Puleiata, they won the title after defeating Hellers Netball Mainland 43–41 in the grand final at The Trusts Arena. Central Zone retained the title in 2018 after defeating Waikato Bay of Plenty 62–53 in the grand final. Ahead of the 2019 season, the team adopted a new name, voted on by the public. The now renamed Central Manawa, completed a three in a row after defeating Waikato Bay of Plenty 49–46 in the 2019 grand final.

### Fourth title

In 2022 with a team featuring Renee Matoe, Parris Mason and Amelia Walmsley, Central Manawa won a fourth title after defeating Mainland 49–41 in the grand final.

### Fifth title

In 2023, with a team featuring Parris Mason, Central Manawa, won their fifth National Netball League title after defeating Northern Comets 45–43 in the grand final at TSB Bank Arena.

## Grand Finals

| Season | Winners | Score | Runners Up | Venue |
| 2016 | Netball South | 51–46 | Central Zone | The Trusts Arena |
| 2017 | Central Zone | 43–41 | Hellers Netball Mainland | The Trusts Arena |
| 2018 | Central Zone | 62–53 | Waikato Bay of Plenty | Pulman Arena, Takanini |
| 2019 | Central Manawa | 49–46 | Waikato Bay of Plenty | Horncastle Arena |
| 2022 | Central Manawa | 49–41 | Mainland | Pulman Arena, Takanini |
| 2023 | Central Manawa | 45–43 | Northern Comets | TSB Bank Arena |

## Notable players
### Internationals
#### New Zealand

| Karin Burger Maddy Gordon Mila Reuelu-Buchanan | Tiana Metuarau Kimiora Poi Elle Temu |

#### Samoa

* Eseta Autagavaia
* Ainsleyana Puleiata
* Saviour Tui

#### Tonga

* 'Api Taufa
* Salote Taufa

### Central Pulse players

| Te Amo Amaru-Tibble Sheridan Bignall Paris Lokotui Parris Mason | Renee Matoe Renee Savai'inaea Amelia Walmsley |

### ANZ Premiership players

* Abby Erwood
* Kelsey McPhee
* Grace Namana

### Others

* Rhiarna Ferris, New Zealand women's rugby sevens international
Sources:

### NNL Player of the Year

| Season | Winner |
| 2016 | Karin Burger |
| 2017 | Mila Reuelu-Buchanan |
| 2022 | Ainsleyana Puleiata |

## Coaches
### Head coaches

| Coach | Years |
| Yvette McCausland-Durie | 2016 |
| Natalie Milicich | 2017 |
| Pelesa Semu | 2018–2019 |
| Anna Andrews-Tasola | 2019–2022 |
| Ngarama Milner-Olsen | 2022– |

### Assistant coaches

| Coach | Years |
| Frances Solia | 2016 |
| Anna Andrews-Tasola | 2017–2019 |
| Emma Weenink | 2019–2022 |
| John Atkins | 2019–2022 |
| Cushla Lichtwark | 2022– |
| Renee Matoe | 2022– |

## Honours

* National Netball League
** Winners: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
** Runners Up: 2016