The winds of change continue to blow through the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse playing stocks with standout shooter Amelia Walmsley, who will return to her roots for next year’s ANZ Premiership netball season, becoming the latest departure.

Walmsley will play for the Stars in 2026, joining the exodus of fellow frontliners Kelly Jackson, Maddy Gordon, Tiana Metuarau and Whitney Souness in another corrosive hit to the Pulse’s talent base.

``I feel like I’ve had such an amazing time with the Pulse and the playing group has been super special, but with a bit of change happening next year, I just felt the idea of coming home to Auckland was really compelling,’’ Walmsley said.

``The idea of it being a bit of a full circle moment for me, having been coached by Bubby (Temepara Bailey) with the Comets (2021 National Netball League), and then to go back and be coached by her at the Stars is going to be really special.

``It was a really hard decision. The Pulse franchise has done so much for me and given me so many amazing opportunities, so it was definitely a bitter-sweet moment and I was very torn at times but at the end of the day, I’m happy with my decision.

``I’ll always be super grateful for everything that Pulse was able to give me.’’

Gaining her first fulltime contract, with the Pulse, fresh out of Howick College in 2022, the 1.92m shooter has made a rapid rise and finished the 2025 ANZ Premiership as the top shooter across allcomers with a 96 percent success rate and just 19 misses through the entire campaign.

In four seasons with the Pulse, Walmsley, 21, has made great strides in all facets of her game, quickly answering the varied challenges of top-flight netball with an impressive 2023, resulting in selection in the Silver Ferns squad.

And she’s never looked back, thriving in the starter’s role as the Pulse’s main shooter at the start of the 2023 season, Walmsley grabbed her opportunity with both hands to quickly stamp her mark at the elite level while playing a dominant hand for the Pulse.

Walmsley has added to her repertoire by building on her goal attack game, while improved core strength, footwork and handling skills combined with her height and accuracy under the hoop make her a ready target alongside her rebounding ability.

Walmsley has played 46 national league matches, all for the Pulse, and was recently selected in the NZ U21 team to contest the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar in September.

She is grateful to have had such a rock-solid environment for her introduction to top level netball.

``I went to the Pulse straight out of school and being coached by Yvette (McCausland-Durie) to begin with was super amazing, to learn off her, and the playing group around me had so much experience,’’ Walmsley said.

``Tiana (Metuarau) took me under her wing and helped develop my game, and lots of the other players too…….. I learnt so much off them, not only as a player but as a person. So, they definitely shaped me into the player that I am today and I’m super grateful for that.

``The work ethic at the Pulse is unreal, it’s definitely a great professional environment and I was really privileged to be involved at such a young age.

``When I reflect back on my time at the Pulse, I’m very grateful and have such amazing memories of all the girls, the coaching staff, management and what we’ve been able to achieve in the last few years has been really special. So, I’m definitely leaving the Pulse with really good memories.

``I always stay places for the people. And being able to work alongside, especially in that attacking end, the likes of Maddy (Gordon), Tiana (Metuarau) and Whitney (Souness) over the past few years has been something that I’ve absolutely loved.

``I adore them off the court so much, so being able to play with them on the court has been so amazing. That’s my highlight, just the people at that franchise that I got to work with and grow relationships with on and off the court.’’

Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola is full of admiration for what Walmsley has achieved in her relatively short career to date.

``It’s been an absolute privilege to coach Amelia over the past four years,’’ she said. ``She joined us as a 17-year-old shooter with raw talent and quiet determination, and watching her grow into a confident, high-performing athlete has been nothing short of inspiring.

``Amelia’s work ethic and focus set the tone for our team, and I’m incredibly proud of the athlete and person she’s become.

``While we’ll miss her presence, we’re deeply grateful for her contributions both on and off the court and we wish her nothing but the best as she steps into the U21s World Cup, the Silver Ferns environment and everything that lies ahead.’’

 

Ends
 

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Article added: Thursday 21 August 2025