In charge for three-quarters of the match, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse were forced to defuse a determined Stars fightback before clinching a 58-51 win over the Stars to open their 2024 campaign in Auckland on Sunday.
4pm, Saturday 13 April
Magic v Mystics at GLOBOX Arena, Claudelands in Hamilton
Live on Sky Sport and free to air on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+
Embracing an influx of fresh-faced young talent, Stars coach Kiri Wills is primed for an exciting and adventurous brand of netball emanating from her new-look team in 2024.
The Robinhood Stars have retained a large number of their core, while adding some exciting new faces to their squad for the 2024 ANZ Premiership season.
Based in South Auckland, the Stars became the newest elite level netball team in 2017, representing the south and east of Auckland. With the end of the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship in 2016, the Stars joined the five other established New Zealand franchises to form the six-strong standalone ANZ Premiership.
Former Melbourne Vixens head coach Julie Hoornweg became the Stars inaugural coach and Leana de Bruin their first captain.
The Stars are based out of Bruce Pulman Park Papakura with Pulman Arena being their main home venue.
Despite their short history, the Stars have quickly evolved into a quality team and have featured in three Grand Finals (2019, 2022 and 2023), finishing runners-up on each occasion. They have also built a strong and connected support base in south Auckland, representing one of New Zealand’s largest communities.
The Stars were named after the Matariki star cluster which also features on the team’s logo, and incorporates their club colours of purple and silver.
