KEY POINTS:
Netball worries in the Wellington region continue as the Central Pulse franchise has proved unable to attract big-name players for a new trans-Tasman tournament.
Just over a month before the first game, English defender Sonia Mkoloma is the only international player in the Central Pulse ranks.
That prompted coach Kate Carpenter to voice concern over how the Silver Ferns were spread out across the country .
Netball New Zealand would have to step in and address the problem, she said.
"Netball New Zealand are accountable for, I guess, the performance of our elite. Probably there will be a period of review ."
Carpenter suggested the answer was to change the system of player selection.
"There are other models of professional sports within New Zealand, where there are drafts, where players can be retained."
Retaining players was the problem for Wellington, Carpenter said.
"Typically, if a player completes a whole cycle (from developing player to international player) you are happy to stay where you are because it's your home."
However players now seemed to be moving away when they were younger which left Wellington void of player experience. They tended to head towards Southland or Waikato.
Carpenter said she did not believe the problems were financial . With a salary cap of $300,000 in place, teams were usually on par with each other as to what they could offer players.
"You'd be surprised," she said.
"We've offered some very competitive retainers so I think it does depend ... money alone is not going to do it, it's all those other things that are important in their lives too."
The first test for the team will in Wellington on April 5 when they face off against the Melbourne Vixens, a team brimming with international experience, including Australian vice-captain Sharelle McMahon.
- NZPA
