Fijian defender Kelera Nawai is being tipped as one to watch after joining the champion Central Pulse for this year's ANZ Premiership netball league.
The 23-year-old first came to New Zealand on a scholarship to St Andrews College seven years ago and was selected for the Fiji Pearls while still at school.
Fiji Pearls defender Kelera Nawai will play for the Pulse in 2021. Photo: Supplied/PhotoWellington
Nawai was a training partner with the Mainland Tactix in 2017 and played for the regional development team before visa issues forced her to return to Fiji.
The Fiji Peals international married in 2018 and had a baby boy before returning to New Zealand the following year to join her husband, who was working in South Canterbury.
She represented Fiji at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, where she caught the eye of Pulse High Performance Director and former Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu.
"Her ability to play both goalkeeper and goal defence with great presence was what attracted us,'' Taumaunu said.
"She's physically imposing with a great reach and has a strong presence on the rebound. She is a real athlete and has a lot of potential. There's a lot of work to be done but we're confident we've got the makings of a long-term prospect.''
The 1.87m Nawai started her netball career in the shooting circle before switching to the other end of the court.
She joins a new-look backline for the Pulse in 2021 after the loss of New Zealand internationals Katrina Rore, who is expecting her first child, and Karin Burger, who joined the Tactix.
Katrina Rore and Karin Burger (centre) will be missing from the champion Pulse in 2021. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kelly Jury is a lock to play goal-keep but Taumaunu expects competition to join the former Silver Fern in the defensive end will be high.
"In Kelera, we think we've got enormous potential and it's the same with Paris Lokotui and Parris Mason who are two of the absolutely most talented defenders at under-21 level."
