Northern Force
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fujifilm Northern Force are the northern-most team in Netball New Zealand's premier competition - the National Bank Cup. Based at the Northshore Events Centre in Auckland, the Force region includes North Harbour and Northland, with the majority of its players being based in Auckland. The playing colours of the team are Maroon and Black.
Perhaps the perennial under-achievers of the competition, the teams has always been blessed with many talented sportswomen, yet has been unable to win the competition.
Coached by former Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering, the Northern Force is renown for their formidable defensive line-ups which have included players such as Linda Vagana, Leana de Bruin, and Sheryl Scanlan. The Fujifilm Force's midcourt is led by dynamic and inspirational captain and Silver Fern Temepara "the pocket-rocket" George. In the shooting circle, the Fujufilm Force boasts the two tallest shooters in New Zealand netball, Daneka Wipiiti (193 cm) and Catherine Latu (192 cm).
Current Silver Ferns in the team are Temepara George and Leana de Bruin (formerly a South African netball representative). Former Silver Ferns in the team include Daneka Wipiiti as well as Teresa Tairi and Sheryl Scanlan (both currently pregnant).
Lorna Suafoa (formerly a Silver Fern) and Catherine Latu are Samoan national representatives, and Megan Dehn was a member of the Australian netball team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
In the 2006 National Bank Cup the Fujifilm Force were semi-finalists, being beaten by the Southern Sting 64-59 in overtime. The shooters finished the season with the following percentages:
-
- Catherine Latu: 83% (135 from 162)
- Megan Dehn: 82% (121 from 148)
- Daneka Wipiiti: 70% (129 from 185)
- 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
Competition record for the Fujifilm Northern Force in the National Bank Cup:
-
- 2006 Semi Finalists
- 2005 Semi Finalists
- 2004 Semi Finalists
- 2003 Runners-up
- 2002 Semi Finalists
- 2001 Fifth
- 2000 Semi Finalists
- 1999 Semi Finalists
- 1998 Fifth
For the 2007 competition, the Force have named an even more formidable squad, with the inclusion of former Silver Ferns defender Vilimaina Davu transfering from the Canterbury Flames and Sheryl Scanlan returning from pregnancy. This leaves the Force with an intimidating four Silver Ferns (three former, one current) in their defence end. Suafoa, Scanlan and Davu are former Silver Ferns while de Bruin is a current member of the New Zealand team.
