Silver Ferns Bailey Mes and Claire Kersten will join Silver Ferns captain Amerliaranne Ekenasio at the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic next season.
The Magic announced last week that Ekenasio who had been with the Pulse since arriving from Australia in 2015 was joining the Hamilton franchise and she has now been joined by teamate Kersten who was captain of the Pulse this year.
Seventy test veteran Bailey Mes is also joining the francise which finished bottom of the ANZ Premiership.
Mes has spent the past ten years with the Mystics who won the premiership title.
The signing of Ekenasio and Mes comes with Australian international Caitlin Bassett not returning to the Magic in 2022 after just one season.
Bailey Mes (right) has been with the the Mystics for ten years. Photo: Photosport
Also not back for 2022 after just a season with the franchise are veteran midcourter Grace Kara and defender Temalisi Fakahokotau.
Kara was picked up by the Magic this season after missing out on a contract with the Northern Stasr while Fakahokotau had moved to the Magic after four years with the Southern Steel.
Fakahokotau is now moving to the Pulse.
Magic coach Mary-Jane Araroa said she was pleased to be able to strengthen areas of the team with the inclusion of shooters Mes and Ekenasio while the experienced Kersten would prove an ideal foil to fellow Silver Fern and Magic captain Sam Winders in the midcourt.
"It's always a difficult decision to move away from a team like the Mystics who have played a big part in my netball career....it is a bit of the unknown for me but I find that refreshing and I'm looking forward to the new season," said Kersten.
Midcourter Clare Kersten. Photo: © www.Photosport.nz 2017
Kersten said she was looking forward to teaming up with Winders in the midcourt and the chance to develop her own game by joining a new environment.
"This is going to push me out of my comfort zone and I think that's a positive for my game," she said.
The Magic have also signed Northern Stars defender and new Silver Ferns development squad member Oceane Maihi with one spot on their list of ten contracted players to be confirmed.
-RNZ
