Northern Force
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| Northern Force | ||||||||||||||
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| Union | Netball New Zealand | |||||||||||||
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| Full name | Northern Force | |||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | Force | |||||||||||||
| Region | North Shore/Northland | |||||||||||||
| Ground | Northshore Events Centre | |||||||||||||
| Captain |  Temepara George |
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| Coach | Yvonne Willering |
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| League | The National Bank Cup | |||||||||||||
| 2007 | 2nd | |||||||||||||
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The Northern Force were the northern-most team in Netball New Zealand's former premier competition - the National Bank Cup. For the 2008 ANZ Championship the Force merged with the Auckland Diamonds to create the Northern Mystics.
Based at the Northshore Events Centre in Auckland, the Force region included North Harbour and Northland, with the majority of its players being based in Auckland. The playing colours of the team were Maroon and Black, and were sponsored by Fujifilm.
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[edit] History
Perhaps the perennial under-achievers of the competition, the team had always been blessed with many talented sportswomen, yet were unable to win the competition.
Coached by former Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering, the Force were renowned for their formidable defensive line-ups which have included players such as Linda Vagana, Leana de Bruin and Sheryl Scanlan. The Force's midcourt was led by dynamic and inspirational captain and Silver Fern Temepara "the pocket-rocket" George. In the shooting circle, the Force boasted one of the tallest shooters in New Zealand netball at the time, Catherine Latu (at 192cm).
[edit] Players 1998-2007
The Northern Force were filled with New Zealand talent. The defensive line was always strong and included the likes of Leana De-Bruin, Linda Vagana, Lorna Suofoa, Villimina Davu and Sheryl Scanlin all former or current Silver Ferns. The mid-court included Temepara George and Angelina Yates, both very highly rated New Zealand players. Often, the shooting circle would crumble, the shooters were known for drifting out of the match. It included Megan Dehn (former Australian Netball team) and Daneka Wipiiti (Silver Fern) but lost them both to the Southern Sting and their new team Southern Steel. Catherine Latu (Samoa), Teresa Tairi (Silver Ferns), Tania Dalton (Silver Ferns) all former Internationals.
[edit] Shooters
In the 2006 National Bank Cup the Force were semi-finalists, being beaten by the Southern Sting 64-59 in overtime. The shooters finished the season with the following percentages:
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- Catherine Latu: 83% (135 from 162)
- Megan Dehn: 82% (121 from 148)
- Brigette Tapene: 76% (70 from 92)
[edit] 2007 Force Squad
- Leana de Bruin
- Vilimaina Davu
- Megan Dehn
- Temepara George
- Emma Iversen
- Julie Kelman-Poto
- Catherine Latu
- Ritua Petero
- Finau Pulu
- Sheryl Scanlan
- Lorna Suafoa
- Bridgette Tapene
- Patti Te Huna
- Areta Thatcher
- Janine Topia
- Angelina Yates
[edit] Record for the Force in the National Bank Cup
- 2007- 2nd
- 2006- 3rd
- 2005- 3rd
- 2004- 4th
- 2003- 2nd
- 2002- 3rd
- 2001- 5th
- 2000- 4th
- 1999- 3rd
- 1998- 5th
[edit] 2007
For the 2007 competition, the Force named a formidable squad, with the inclusion of former Silver Ferns defender Vilimaina Davu transferring from the Canterbury Flames and Sheryl Scanlan returning from pregnancy. This left the Force with an intimidating four Silver Ferns (three former, one current) in their defence end. Suafoa, Scanlan and Davu were former Silver Ferns while de Bruin was a current member of the New Zealand team.
[edit] References
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