Northern Mystics


Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland. Between 2008 [ANZ Championship season|2008] and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship. Since 2017 [ANZ Premiership season|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.
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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
4th904
20122nd1003
201310th1012
20147th607
4th724
20167th319



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
1st1104
20223rd906
1st1104
3rd906
20251st901


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

Internationals

Award winners

ANZ Championship awards

;ANZ Championship MVP
SeasonPlayer
2012Temepara George

;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

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