Waikato Bay of Plenty

ANZ PREMIERSHIP

Being able to travel freely and play in front of full stadiums, New Zealand’s top domestic Netballers showed their gratitude to deliver a sparkling fifth edition of the ANZ Premiership in 2021. With sports in many other countries still facing restrictions due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, it was relatively smooth sailing for the ANZ Premiership as 15 rounds of hotly contested match-ups played out.

Despite the relative normalcy of life enjoyed in New Zealand, COVID-19 remains a constant threat and a rise in alert levels in Wellington in June caused some concern, which resulted in the postponement of one match. This was able to be played at a later date in an otherwise incident-free season.

The standout feature of the 2021 season was the closeness of nearly all matches which was evident throughout the 15 rounds. Blow-outs were a rarity while bonus-point losses (losing by five goals or fewer) became a regular occurrence.

A new record was established when, at the end of the regular season, 25 of the 45 matches (56 percent) had been decided by five goals or fewer. Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse achieved a new ANZ Premiership record for the most bonus points in a season with eight, closely followed by Splice Construction Magic with seven.

The league enjoyed widespread media coverage across all mediums, with Sky Sport televising all 45 round-robin games and the Finals Series live, while delayed coverage of a number of matches appeared on free-to-air television via Prime. The quality of performance provided on court, together with close results and changing fortunes, provided strong material across print, radio and television. Meanwhile NNZ provided assistance to all the franchises in helping teams create more of their own content. This included video material for their own social media channels with team media liaisons also facilitating and driving greater exposure through storylines and interview opportunities.

The bonus points kept teams well in the hunt as the season progressed. This created a mid-table logjam which provided a keen sense of the unknown for supporters while pushing the participants to greater levels of performance.

Residing in the top two on the table from Round 3, the well-drilled Northern Mystics secured the 2021 Minor Premiership, the first in their 14-year history, to advance directly to the Grand Final.

Sitting second and third respectively heading into the last round of the regular season, The Good Oil Tactix and Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel had it all to play for with a win for either earning the right to host the Elimination Final. That honour belonged to the Steel, the season’s surprise package topping a sensational campaign to claim home advantage at their southern fortress in Invercargill against the well-credentialled Tactix.

After a slow start to the season, the fast-finishing Tactix ended the Steel’s golden run with a hard-fought 54-49 win to advance to back-to-back Grand Finals, ensuring a new champion would be crowned on 8 August. The only previous winners had been the Steel and Pulse.

The best attacking team (Mystics) and best defensive team (Tactix) set the stage for a cracking Grand Final which lived up to all expectations as the pair delivered a classy exhibition of enthralling Netball through excellent athletic endeavour, quality skill sets and gritty determination.

With the key trio of standout shooter Grace Nweke, mercurial midcourter Peta Toeava and inspirational captain Sulu Fitzpatrick in the custodian’s position, the Mystics had a touch of class across all thirds of the court.

The link between the 1.93m Nweke and pocket-rocket pivot Toeava proved the difference, the midcourter sublime in her passing execution and movement while the ever-improving teenaged shooter, who set a new ANZ Premiership season scoring record in 2021, was almost untouchable under the hoop. Both accrued multiple Player of the Match awards during the season with Toeava scooping the Grand Final accolade, their feats receiving the ultimate recognition with inclusion in the 2021/22 Silver Ferns Squad.

In front of a crowd of almost 5000 people, the Mystics put a statement on their 14-year history to pocket their first-ever title against last year’s beaten finalists with a gripping 61-59 win –Nweke posting 58 of their goals.

... the Mystics had a touch of class across all thirds of the court.”