Netball: Doctor celebrates as Pulse improve

Camilla Lees. Photo / Getty Images

Camilla Lees can remember the bad times.

It wasn't that long ago the Central Pulse were the easy-beats of the ANZ Championship. They dropped every game in their inaugural campaign in 2008 and won only once in 2009, when they toppled the NSW Swifts at Porirua after a pre-match chat from Jonah Lomu. Their progress has been gradual rather than great since.

Now, with three games to go in this campaign and veteran coach Robyn Broughton at the helm, the Pulse are closing in on a maiden play-off appearance.

They meet the Northern Mystics in Palmerston North this evening before facing the Queensland Firebirds and West Coast Fever in Australia. They probably need to win two out of three to progress.

Lees, who balances full-time work as a doctor on top of her netball commitments, said she never entertained leaving the Pulse.

"I've always had belief that eventually we would improve and I wanted to be part of that journey," said Lees, who joined as a promising New Zealand under-21 midcourter in 2009. "The thought of leaving, then watching the team doing brilliantly, would be disappointing. It's awesome being there from near the beginning and seeing it happen."

The Pulse have never won in Australia and now need to win at least one to make post-season. But it appears they finally have the balance right in their playing ranks.

"As a team, we have improved hugely from the start of the season and go into these games feeling confident," Lees said.

Wing attack Liana Leota has given the Pulse extra punch in their mid-court.

They were sharp against the Magic in their 54-44 win two weeks ago and brushed past the Tactix 58-50 on Sunday.

Lees still manages to surprise herself with her ability to juggle commitments and would likely take a break from the wards if she makes the Silver Ferns squad for the Commonwealth Games.

In an example of the 25-year-old's ability to get the most out of her day, she completed a 10-hour night shift in the emergency department at Wellington Hospital after the Pulse's victory over the Magic.

"At the moment, I've got the energy for it and I love it. So it's a pretty cool life."