Netball: Elsa's career path so much sweeter

At 191cm, Elsa Brown, centre, with Katherine Coffin, left, and Millie Lees, has plenty to offer the Mystics.

Sweet success is now within reach of Northern Mystics goalshoot Elsa Brown.

Until recently, manuka honey in a laboratory had been the only source of sugar-coated inspiration for the Kaeo 23-year-old.

However, Brown is now relishing her newfound shot at glory with the Mystics after being on the cusp of ANZ Championship netball for several years. Graduating from Waikato University with a Bachelor of Science in 2013, Brown took on a role with Hill Laboratories in Hamilton.

"I worked there for a year and that was mainly doing pesticide and residue analysis on crops and samples.

"Then I moved into working with honey, which was really cool, doing testing for unique manuka factor [UMF] which determines how much clients can charge more for their [honey] products."

But despite pursuing a role in her desired field, a yearning for something more lingered. After shadowing the Magic netball team, and prominent goalshoot Irene van Dyk, for several years as well as playing at NPC level, Brown was still adamant on making something of her netball prowess. "I made the decision to quit [as a lab technician] because it wasn't really what I loved.

"Instead, I planned to enrol in teaching then got a phone call from the Mystics so it all came together really."

Since her professional decision to move back north, Brown's opportunities have placed her in a formidable position within the Mystics franchise.

And at 1.91m tall, boasting a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for the game, the Kaeo kid is already knocking on the door of locker-mates Maria Tutaia and Cathrine Latu.

"I'm loving it, it's awesome," Brown says of the Mystics set-up.

"I'd been on the edge of ANZ [Championship] for a few years and was sick of not making it.

"It was an awesome opportunity to come home. I'm living in Auckland now but it's only three hours' drive north to see my mum.

"A big part of saying yes was getting to work with them [Tutaia and Latu]."

Northern Mystics travel to play the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Sunday.