Mojo Pulse Keen to Repay Coach in Milestone Match   16 Apr 2015

The Mojo Pulse players would like nothing better than to deliver coach Robyn Broughton a much-needed win against ANZ Championship netball high-flyers the West Coast Fever in Wellington on Sunday.

Joining the Pulse in 2012 after mentoring the Southern Steel from 2008-11, the popular Broughton couldn’t have asked for a tougher assignment in her 100th match in the trans-Tasman league. Stepping down at the end of this season, Broughton and Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson (also finishing at season’s end) are the only foundation coaches left since the inception of the competition in 2008.

Unbeaten after seven rounds and having set up camp in Wellington for the past week, the slick and highly accomplished team from Perth are sure to test the calibre of the Pulse resolve.

There’s a sense of growing frustration within the talented Pulse line-up as inconsistency continues to plague their campaign. Digging themselves into a hole after posting just two wins from six outings has left them in fourth place in the New Zealand conference.

“There’s a realisation that the time is now and if we don’t start putting better performances out on court warranting wins, then we can pretty much kiss our season goodbye,” midcourter Joline Henry said.

“It’s about execution and it’s a waste of time having quality players with good game plans and whatever, the reality is unless we get out there and start executing the roles better, individually and collectively as a team for the full 60 minutes, then we might as well stay home.”

Agreeing that the Pulse’s main problems are often of their own making, the straight-talking Henry, 32, however is not a fan of the regular use of rough-house tactics which have become more prevalent this year, some bordering on dangerous and which are having increased influence on determining outcomes.

“Our Pulse team goes out there with the intention to play skilful netball and to go out there and feel you can not do that and not feel safe while you’re playing the game is very sad,” she said.

“We’d definitely like to make it a memorable occasion for her (Broughton). She has the loyalty of all of us here as players and we’d definitely like it to be a memorable occasion for her for all the right reasons rather than wrong.”

Henry has a high regard for the Fever, understandably rating them as the form team of the competition but feels the Pulse are far from done. “It’s a long season, anything can happen and it’s definitely still within our grasp to make the top three (in the New Zealand conference) and I would be blimmin’ disappointed if we do anything less than that,” the veteran campaigner said.

“We just need to make sure that every time we go out on court that we’re actually playing good netball then the result and the two points will take care of itself.

“We are only going to get there if we’re deserving so we really do need, as individuals, to take a really good look at ourselves and start performing like we should be.

“No one will expect us to win this one but we have the ability to do so, it’s just about the execution on the day. It won’t be easy, they’re in great form.”

The Mojo Pulse will face the West Coast Fever this Sunday, 19 April at TSB Bank Arena. Centre Pass is 7.10pm. Tickets are available through Ticketek.

Mojo Pulse supporters also have an opportunity to meet the players this Saturdaymorning at a series of Netball Funday’s being held across Welllington. The Fundays are aimed at getting youngsters to have a go at playing an exciting new modified game of netball.

Netball Fundays
Saturday, 18 April

Northern Suburbs
Newlands Intermediate School
Bracken Road, Newlands
Netball Funday activities: 10.30-11.30am
Photos and autographs with Jodi Brown & Liana Leota: 11.30am-12.00pm

Wellington West
Wadestown School
Rose Street, Wadestown
Netball Funday activities: 10.00-11.30am
Photos and autographs with Irene van Dyk & Whitney Souness 11.30am-12pm

Motu Kairangi
Evans Bay Intermediate School,
Kilbirnie
Netball Funday activities: 10.00-11.30am
Photos and autographs with Ameliaranne Wells, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Jess Bourke 11.30am-12pm.

ENDS

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