There'll be a distinct Australian twang at Central Pulse training sessions throughout the 2024 season — with Vicki Wilson returning to Wellington.
The former Australia Diamonds great answered the call from her good friend and director of high performance Waimarama Taumaunu, who the former shooter worked with as Silver Ferns assistant coach a decade ago.
"I certainly couldn't resist when the invitation was extended," says Wilson.
"When Waimarama rings, I pick up the phone. But I enjoy her company and conversations and, at the end of the day, we want to grow this great game of ours.
"The programme is number one and it's great to work alongside Anna Andrews-Tasola and Waimarama Taumaunu, it's exciting to be here."
The Australian has been involved with the Pulse before only to have her stint cut short four years ago due to the Covid pandemic.
This time Wilson returns in a wider capacity, looking to provide insight to development teams and community coaches across the Pulse's catchment zone in the central North Island.
Clearly, New Zealand remains a special place for the former Diamonds skipper.
"My first international tour was here when I played under-21s, I always got on so well with everyone here."
"I have a wonderful rapport with the Pulse, I enjoy the way the game is played here and the esteem in which women are held. It's important that we share ideas," says Wilson.
She's not the only member of the Pulse side passing on her netball wisdom.
Midcourter Maddy Gordon and her Silver Ferns teammate Kate Heffernan will launch an online platform aimed at grassroots netballers this Friday called "Netty Notes".
"It's a tool where girls can connect with teammates, family, coaches; write down what they want, positive experiences, things they want to work on."
"We want to help young girls stay in the game and love it a bit more," says Gordon.
"Coaches can buy it for teams, send players away with homework tasks of what they can do in the games, strengths and weaknesses all of that."
The pair say they intend to create a broadcast element to Netty Notes that'll allow youth to contact them and gain a better understanding of navigating netball and how to deal with difficulties that can arise in the path to professionalism.
The ANZ Premiership begins on April 13 when the Magic host defending champion Mystics in Hamilton.
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