The newest New Zealand netball team to take part in next year's new domestic league has been revealed.
Netball New Zealand announced the sixth team to compete in the new ANZ Premiership will be the Northern Stars.
The team will be headlined by current Silver Ferns Kayla Cullen, Maia Wilson and the recently retired international Leana de Bruin.
De Bruin will bring loads of experience to the new side, boasting 138 Test caps with the Silver Ferns.
Former Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic players Courtney Tairi and Malia Paseka will join the squad along with former Northern Mystics players Holly Flower, Suli Fitzpatrick and and Fa'amu Ioane.
The biggest surprise in the squad is current Fijian international Afa Rusivakula and Emma Iverson who returns to netball following a stint in rugby.
The team will be coached by former Melbourne Vixens, England and Fiji coach Julie Hoornweg.
Hoornweg is hoping the Northern Stars will bring a variety of opportunities to players, coaches and a new community of fans.
"Our aim is that this team will bring a new vitality to Netball, and the opportunity for fans to see a bright, new shiny team," said Hoornweg.
"We also want it to be a team that gives opportunity for netballers in this part of New Zealand,"
"We want to create an identity here, and show young athletes there is a pathway to the top. We also want to build a community. And if we can create a cauldron of excitement and energy here, it will be absolutely fantastic."
Former Silver Ferns vice-captain Temepara Bailey will join the team as assistant coach.
Hoornweg is excited to be working with Bailey and hopes to involve other local netball coaches in the Stars.
I'm very aware that I'm an Aussie taking a role a local coach could have taken, and I don't want to bottleneck coaching here. It is one of my aims to share my knowledge and learnings of top-level Netball with others," said Hoornweg.
The new look domestic competition will tip off in March next year. Games are going to be played on Monday's Wednesday's and Sunday's.
Northern Stars line-up: Kayla Cullen, Leana de Bruin, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Holly Fowler, Fa'amu Ioane, Emma Iverson, Malia Paseka, Afa Rusivakula, Courtney Tairi, Maia Wilson.
Newshub.