Netball: Agbeze returns to the Pulse

English import Ama Agbeze is one of the more notable names in the Central Pulse's squad for next year's ANZ Championship.

The Pulse confirmed their squad during the weekend and Agbeze, an English international, has been added to the Wellington-based franchise's defensive stocks.

Agbeze isn't completely foreign to Pulse fans after she spent 2010 with the franchise before heading to Australia for the past few seasons where she played for the West Coast Fever and Melbourne Vixens.

A majority of the Pulse side who posted a record-setting eight wins in 2013 will return for another crack next season as they eye a maiden playoff appearance.

The crucial name on the team sheet is that of veteran shooter Irene van Dyk, who has returned to the capital from the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.

Other new faces are Gemma Hazeldine, who was a member of the New Zealand under-21 side that won the World Youth Netball Championships in Glasgow in August and midcourter Elias Shadrock, who previously played for the Magic.

Otaki's Katarina Cooper returns to the Pulse after missing the entire 2013 season with a knee injury.

The Pulse squad boasts six Silver Ferns squad members: Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Camilla Lees, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit van Dyk and Cooper, while former Ferns Paula Griffin, Liana Leota and Donna Wilkins are also in the mix.

The seldom-used Claire Kersten is back for a second season with the Pulse after being part of the squad in 2013.

Pulse chairman Ian Collier acknowledged the amount of work that had gone on behind the scenes to bring the squad together.

"Since the end of last season, our focus has been firmly on 2014 and these last few months have been an extremely busy time in terms of securing players and sponsors for next season,'' he said.

Gone from last season's team are Amber Bellringer, Victoria Smith, Caitlin Thwaites and Daya Wiffen.

Central Pulse squad for 2014: Ama Agbeze, Katarina Cooper, Katrina Grant, Paula Griffin, Gemma Hazeldine, Joline Henry, Claire Kersten, Camilla Lees, Liana Leota, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Elias Shadrock, Irene van Dyk, Donna Wilkins