Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship. Since 2017 they have represented Netball Northern in the ANZ Premiership. Netball Northern is the governing body that represents the Auckland and Northland Regions. The Mystics have won three ANZ Premiership titles in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

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

SeasonPositionWonDrawnLost
20087th508
20098th3010
20106th706
20114th904
20122nd1003
201310th1012
20147th607
20154th724
20167th319

Grand finalists New Zealand Conference minor premiers

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

SeasonPositionWonDrawnLost
20173rd807
20184th708
20196th4011
20203rd726
20211st1104
20223rd906
20231st1104
20243rd906
20251st901

Minor Premiers and Premiership Premiership

Grand finals

ANZ Championship

SeasonWinnersScoreRunners upVenue
2011Queensland Firebirds57–44Northern MysticsBrisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Netball New Zealand Super Club

SeasonWinnersScoreRunners upVenue
2017Southern Steel79–58Northern MysticsTrafalgar Centre
2019Collingwood Magpies49–42Northern MysticsTrafalgar Centre

ANZ Premiership

SeasonWinnersScoreRunners upVenue
2021Northern Mystics61–59Mainland TactixSpark Arena
2023Northern Mystics74–56Northern StarsGlobox Arena
2024Northern Mystics54–53Central PulseTSB Bank Arena

Home venues

Mystics main home venue is The Trusts Arena.

Years
The Trusts Arena2008–
Eventfinda Stadium/North Shore Events Centre2008–
Vector Arena/Spark Arena2011–

Notable players

2026 squad

2026 Northern Mystics roster
PlayersCoaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height New Zealand Catherine Hall GK,GD (2003-12-16)16 December 2003(age22) 1.91m (6ft 3in) New Zealand Michaela Sokolich-Beatson(c) WD,GD (1996-10-02)2 October 1996(age29) 1.84m (6ft 0in) New Zealand Tayla Earle C,WD,WA (2000-04-22)22 April 2000(age26) 1.74m (5ft 9in) New Zealand Phoenix Karaka GK,GD (1993-11-06)6 November 1993(age32) 1.86m (6ft 1in) New Zealand Maia Wilson GS, GA (1997-09-21)21 September 1997(age28) 1.87m (6ft 2in) New Zealand Katie Te Ao WD,C (2001-04-15)15 April 2001(age25) 1.8m (5ft 11in) New Zealand Elisapeta Toeava WA,C (1994-03-10)10 March 1994(age32) 1.61m (5ft 3in) New Zealand Filda Vui GS, GA, WA (1996-04-16)16 April 1996(age30) 1.80m (5ft 11in) New Zealand Charlotte Manley GK, GD (2004-10-08)8 October 2004(age21) 1.88m (6ft 2in) New Zealand Sophia Lafaiali'i GS (2005-05-27)27 May 2005(age21) 1.89m (6ft 2in)Head coach Tia Winikerel Assistant coach Rob Wright Notes (c) – Captain (cc) – Co-captain (vc) – Vice-captain – Injury / maternity leave (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Nat.NamePosition(s)DoBHeight
New ZealandCatherine HallGK,GD(2003-12-16)16 December 2003(age22)1.91m (6ft 3in)
New ZealandMichaela Sokolich-Beatson(c)WD,GD(1996-10-02)2 October 1996(age29)1.84m (6ft 0in)
New ZealandTayla EarleC,WD,WA(2000-04-22)22 April 2000(age26)1.74m (5ft 9in)
New ZealandPhoenix KarakaGK,GD(1993-11-06)6 November 1993(age32)1.86m (6ft 1in)
New ZealandMaia WilsonGS, GA(1997-09-21)21 September 1997(age28)1.87m (6ft 2in)
New ZealandKatie Te AoWD,C(2001-04-15)15 April 2001(age25)1.8m (5ft 11in)
New ZealandElisapeta ToeavaWA,C(1994-03-10)10 March 1994(age32)1.61m (5ft 3in)
New ZealandFilda VuiGS, GA, WA(1996-04-16)16 April 1996(age30)1.80m (5ft 11in)
New ZealandCharlotte ManleyGK, GD(2004-10-08)8 October 2004(age21)1.88m (6ft 2in)
New ZealandSophia Lafaiali'iGS(2005-05-27)27 May 2005(age21)1.89m (6ft 2in)
Player profiles:Last updated: 19 February 2026

Internationals

New Zealand

Jenny-May Coffin Vilimaina Davu Leana de Bruin Tayla Earle Temalisi Fakahokotau Monica Falkner Sulu Fitzpatrick Maria Folau Temepara George Paula Griffin Anna HarrisonJoline Henry Kayla Johnson Grace Kara Phoenix Karaka Camilla Lees Laura Langman Bailey Mes Erena Mikaere Grace Nweke Erikana PedersenStorm Purvis Sheryl Scanlan Michaela Sokolich-Beatson Teresa Tairi Elisapeta Toeava Jessica Tuki Cathrine Tuivaiti Malia Vaka Debbie White Larrissa Willcox

New Zealand Fast5

Australia

England

Fiji

Jamaica

Samoa

South Africa

Captains

Years
Temepara George2008–2012
Maria Tutaia2013–2017
Anna Harrison2017–2018
Phoenix Karaka2019–2020
Sulu Fitzpatrick2021–2023
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson2024–

Source:

Award winners

ANZ Championship awards

ANZ Championship MVP

SeasonPlayer
2012Temepara George (Note 1)

Notes

ANZ Championship Best New Talent

SeasonPlayer
2011Kayla Cullen
2015Serena Guthrie

New Zealand Netball Awards

New Zealand ANZ Championship Player of the Year

SeasonWinner
2015Laura Langman

Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award

SeasonWinner
2021Sulu Fitzpatrick

Sources:

Coaches

Head coaches

CoachYears
Yvonne Willering2007–2008
Te Aroha Keenan2009–2010
Debbie Fuller2010–2012
Ruth Aitken2013
Debbie Fuller2013–2016
Helene Wilson2017–2022
Tia Winikerei2023–

Source:

Assistant coaches

CoachYears
Te Aroha Keenan2008
Debbie Fuller2009–2010
Jenny-May Coffin2011
Gail Parata2012
Kiri Wills2013
Helene Wilson2014
Linda Vagana2018–2019
Sonya Hardcastle2018–2019
Margaret Forsyth2020
Tia Winikerei2021–2022
Rob Wright2021–

Source:

Specialist coaches

CoachYears
Megan Dehn2012
Jenny-May Coffin2017

Main sponsors

SponsorsSeasons
LG Electronics2007–2015
SkyCity Entertainment Group2015–2018
MG Motor New Zealand2021–

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

External links