Northern Mystics

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.^[1][2][3] Yvonne Willering became Mystics first head coach and Temepara George became Mystics first player.^[1][3][4][5]

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.^[6][7]

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.^{[3][7][8][9][10]} During the regular season, Mystics claimed their first win in Australia, with a 56–54 win over West Coast Fever in Round 9.^[7][11][12] Mystics defeated Swifts in the minor semi-final^[13][14] and Magic in the preliminary final^[15][16] before losing to Firebirds in the grand final.^[10][17][18] Mystics finished the season second overall.^[19]

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.^[7] 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.^{[3][20][21][22][23][24][25]} 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.^[20][26]

In 2015, Mystics went through the regular season unbeaten against their fellow New Zealand teams and topped the New Zealand Conference.^[27][28] However they subsequently lost the Conference final to Magic^[29]and a semi-final to Firebirds.^[30][31][32]

Regular season statistics

  Grand finalists
  New Zealand Conference minor premiers

Source:^[2][6][7]

Since 2017, Mystics have played in the ANZ Premiership.^[6][7][42] 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.^{[43][44][45][46][47][48]} 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.^{[7][49][50][51][52]} Mystics finished the regular season as minor premiers, finishing above Central Pulse and Northern Stars.^[52][53][54] Mystics defeated Stars 74–56 in the Grand final.^[49][50][51]

Regular season statistics

  Minor Premiers and Premiership

ANZ Championship

Netball New Zealand Super Club

ANZ Premiership

Mystics main home venue is The Trusts Arena.^[6][73]

2024 Northern Mystics roster
Players	Coaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height Catherine Hall GK,GD (2003-12-16) 16 December 2003 (age 20) 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Michaela Sokolich-Beatson WD,GD (1996-10-02) 2 October 1996 (age 27) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Tayla Earle C,WD,WA (2000-04-22) 22 April 2000 (age 24) 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) Hannah Glen GS,GA (2000-11-12) 12 November 2000 (age 23) 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Phoenix Karaka GD,GK,WD (1993-11-06) 6 November 1993 (age 30) 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Grace Nweke GS (2002-02-07) 7 February 2002 (age 22) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Katie Te Ao WD,C (2001-04-15) 15 April 2001 (age 23) 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) Carys Stythe GD,GK (2003-06-19) 19 June 2003 (age 21) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Elisapeta Toeava WA,C (1994-03-10) 10 March 1994 (age 30) 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) Filda Vui GS, GA, WA (1996-04-16) 16 April 1996 (age 28) 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)	Head coach Tia Winikerel Assistant coach Rob Wright Notes (c) – Captain (cc) – Co-captain (vc) – Vice-captain – Injury / maternity leave (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles: Team website	Last updated: 5 August 2023

 New Zealand

 New Zealand Fast5

• Charlotte Kight
• Jessica Moulds
• Rachel Rasmussen
• Hayley Saunders

 Australia

• Julie Corletto
• Megan Dehn

 England

• Ama Agbeze
• Jade Clarke
• Pamela Cookey
• Sasha Corbin
• Serena Guthrie

 Fiji

• Vilimaina Davu

 Jamaica

• Althea Byfield

 Samoa

• Rachel Rasmussen
• Sheryl Scanlan
• Saviour Tui
• Cathrine Tuivaiti

 South Africa

• Leana de Bruin

Source:^[6][7]

ANZ Championship MVP

Notes

• ^1 Temepara George shared the award with Laura Langman (Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic).

ANZ Championship Best New Talent

New Zealand ANZ Championship Player of the Year

Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award

Sources:^[94]

Source:^[6][7]

Source:^[7]

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.^{[40][55][59][111][112]} In 2021 Northern Marvels were NNL premiers after they defeated Northern Comets 64–56 in the grand final.^[48][113]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Northern Mystics.

• 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

• Official website
• Northern Mystics on Facebook
• Northern Mystics on Twitter