It’s make-or-break time for Central Manawa when they come up against the Northern Marvels in the Synergy Hair Netball League (NNL) in Wellington on Sunday.

In a disjointed season, which involves just the one full round and a quirky draw to go with it, Manawa have hauled themselves back into contention with narrow two and one-goal wins in their latest outings.

Sitting third on the points table, Manawa need to keep that winning momentum going this weekend before having two bye rounds ahead of their last regular season match on June 29.

``Everyone’s only got one chance this season, so we really can’t be losing any games from here on….and in that respect, it’s going to be nice to be back at home for this one,’’ Manawa shooter Phoenix Schwalger said.

Pressing for a spot in the NZ U21 side to contest the World Youth Cup in Gibraltar later this year, the talented Schwalger, 19, has cut a frustrated figure this season.

Straining a calf muscle on the last play of the team’s first-round match four weeks ago followed by illness has left Schwalger on restricted minutes for the last two rounds and not playing a full game since Round 1.

``I’m really hoping that I can get a full, consistent and strong 60 minutes this weekend,’’ she said.

Getting 30 minutes in last week’s game against the Southern Blast, Schwalger showed her value to the team with a 24 from 25 success rate under the hoop.

``I was really happy with that,’’ she said. ``After the first game, that was my main focus…..to get back to my shooting process as I hadn’t been happy with how that went in the first game. So, every week since then, I’ve been focussing on my shooting.’’

Manawa’s shooting end has been hit by injuries with promising new recruit and Pulse training partner Olivia Dijkstra hampered by a knee injury and yet to play. That was compounded when well-performed defender Madi Thomas, also in the frame for the NZ U21 team, sustained an arm injury last weekend, and remains in doubt for the rest of the NNL campaign.

``It’s been tough but everyone’s done really well adapting and we know the setbacks have hurt us but it’s made us more united as well,’’ Schwalger said.

``I’m just really enjoying being part of this team. Everyone’s really nice, we’re all supportive of each other and although we’ve had a lot of setbacks, we’re not letting that define us.’’

With a promising career in front of her, the 1.8m shooter, who first made the Manawa team as a 16-year-old St Mary’s College, Wellington, school girl is not looking too far ahead.

``My main goal is the World Youth Cup but right now, I’m just focussing on NNL and coming up against the Marvels,’’ she said.

``They’ve got height, are rangy and from what we’ve seen of them, they’re a really solid team, so we just need to stick together, play together and trust each other.’’

So far this season, Manawa have made good starts in games but faltered during the second half, so will be looking for full-game consistency.



ENDS

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Article added: Thursday 05 June 2025