Henry Poised to Post a Slice of Mojo Pulse History

Henry Poised to Post a Slice of Mojo Pulse History

• Joline Henry reaches 100th ANZ Championship milestone game
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• “I’m looking forward to playing the Steel and seeking some redemption.."
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• Mojo Pulse players to visit local netball centres this Saturday
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Media Release
14 May 2015

Feisty Mojo Pulse midcourter Joline Henry couldn’t think of a better time or place to embrace her 100-game ANZ Championship netball milestone than against Southern Steel in Palmerston North on Sunday.

After previous stints with the Magic and Mystics, Henry is poised to become the second player in Pulse colours to notch a century of games, following Irene van Dyk’s achievement last season. The veteran campaigner only found out in recent days that she was so close to the mark but was more than ready to embrace its significance after a moment or two of reflection.

“I guess there is a spark of pride,” she said. “Not everyone gets to play and do something that they absolutely love every day. I’ve been fortunate enough to knock up 100 and I guess it’s a real testament to those who have supported me on my journey and for me, that’s what makes me even more proud. They can feel like they’ve had a part of it and are proud of me in turn and that’s where my pride comes from.

“Having never given it a thought, but now that I know about it, I guess it is a special occasion. Not only do I get to play in Palmerston North which is my home because it’s the closest place I get to Wanganui and to be able celebrate and play my 100th game at home makes it even more special.

“I’m looking forward to playing the Steel and seeking some redemption even more now.”

Left reeling after a last gasp one-goal loss to their southern rivals two weeks ago, the re-match couldn’t come quickly enough for the Pulse. The match has huge significance to the New Zealand conference with the pair currently battling for the No 3 spot. Locked on equal points, Steel have the slight edge going into the match courtesy of a better goal differential.

“The only silver lining from a couple of weeks ago was the reality and the knowledge that we’d get another go,” Henry said.

“They’re not only safe (with their possession) but when you have a target that is that big at the back (1.98m shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid), the game is a fairly simple one. We have to be able to create opportunities to play against that style. We just need to get the ball before it gets to the circle or make sure that we’re pressuring that much that by the time it gets to the circle, they’re not able to give great ball to her.”

Pressure-cooker situations are not new for the Pulse, a patchy season leaving the team with little wriggle room in a tightly congested New Zealand conference. It is a scenario which is tailor-made for the bullish Henry.

“There is always extra pressure….I don’t know about anybody else but that’s why I play netball,” she explained. “Those are the games that separate you from the rest, it says what you’re made of and it tells you a lot about the type of people you have in your team.

“And if you don’t win at times like that, then you don’t deserve to be there in the first place.”

Hopeful of sealing selection in the Silver Ferns for August’s World Cup in Sydney, Henry, 32, has no plans of winding down her career beyond this year.

“I love the game and am still willing,” she said. “Netball’s been such a huge part of my life that I’d absolutely like to spend the tank and have no regrets. I won’t hang on for the sake of hanging on but I’m still doing things I haven’t done before and there’s still stuff I need to revisit.

“As long as I’m still playing decent netball, I’ll play.”

The Mojo Pulse will face the Southern Steel this Sunday, 17 May at Arena Manawatu. Centre Pass is 7.10pm. Tickets are available through Ticketdirect.

Round 4 of the College Netball competition will take place before this Sunday's ANZ Championship game, when Wellington Girls College take on Mount Albert Grammar. Centre pass is 5.40pm.

The Mojo Pulse players will be out and about in the Netball Central Zone region thisSaturday 16 May, meeting young netball fans at the following netball centres:

Netball Manawatu
Vautier Netball Courts
Pururi Terrace
Palmerston North

Irene van Dyk, Hannah Poff, Whitney Souness and Jess Bourke will be available to meet fans between 10.45 -11.15am.

B&M Centre
Arena Manawatu
Pascal Street
Palmerston North

Jodi Brown, Joline Henry and Katrina Grant will be available to meet fans between11.00am -12.00pm.

Netball Horowhenua
Adkin Avenue
Levin

Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Elia Shadrock will be available to meet fans between11.00am -12.00pm.

Dannevirke Netball Centre
Anderson Street
Dannevirke

Liana Leota will be available to meet fans between 11.00am -12.00pm.

Netball Wairarapa
Colombo Road
Masterton

Ama Agbeze and Ameliaranne Wells will be available to meet fans between 11.00am -12.00pm.

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