Auckland Diamonds Explained
Auckland Diamonds were a former New Zealand netball team based in Waitakere City, Auckland Region. As a result, they were also known as Auckland Waitakere Diamonds. Between 1998 and 2007, Diamonds played in the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup league. Diamonds finished as semi-finalists on four occasions – 1998, 1999, 2005 and 2007. Ahead of the 2008 season, Diamonds merged with Northern Force to form the new ANZ Championship team, Northern Mystics.
History
Founding members
In 1998, together with, Bay of Plenty Magic, Capital Shakers, Canterbury Flames, Counties Manukau Cometz, Northern Force, Otago Rebels, Southern Sting, Waikato Wildcats and Western Flyers, Diamonds, were founding members of the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup league.[1] [2] Together with Cometz and Force, Diamonds were one of three teams from the Auckland Region to play in the league. Due to poor ticket sales, the three teams faced early suggestions that they should merge.[3] [4] Diamonds enjoyed a local rivalry with Cometz. In the six seasons the teams played against each other, Diamonds won four and Cometz won two.[5]
Semi-finalists
Diamonds finished as semi-finalists on four occasions – 1998, 1999, 2005 and 2007.[6] In 1998 they were defeated in the semis by the inaugural champions, Otago Rebels.[7] In 2005 they lost out to Southern Sting.[8]
Merger
Ahead of the 2008 season, Diamonds merged with Northern Force to form the new ANZ Championship team, Northern Mystics.[9] [10] [11]
Home venues
Between 2004 and 2007, Diamonds played the majority of their home matches at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium.[12] [13] They previously played home matches at Kohimarama's ASB Stadium.[14]
Stats
Season | Position | Won | Drawn | Lost |
---|
1998 | 4th | | | |
1999 | 4th | | | |
2000 | 6th | | | |
2001 | 7th | | | |
2002 | 6th | | | |
2003 | 5th | | | |
2004 | 5th | | | |
2005 | 4th | | | |
2006 | 5th | | | |
2007[15] | 4th | 5 | 0 | 3? |
|
Notable former players
Internationals
ANZ Championship players
Captains
Coaches
Head coaches
Main sponsors
Notes and References
- News: Celebrating 25 years of elite netball. anzpremiership.co.nz. 16 February 2022. 14 June 2022.
- Web site: Sting History 1998. www.sting.co.nz. https://web.archive.org/web/20060526172026/http://www.sting.co.nz/history/history_1998.html. 26 May 2006. 11 May 2023.
- Web site: Netball: Coca-Cola Cup has lost its fizz for Auckland. www.nzherald.co.nz. 30 June 2000. 9 May 2023.
- Web site: ANZ Premiership: Mystics dedicate grand final win to late Silver Fern Margaret Forsyth. stuff.co.nz. 8 August 2021. 8 August 2022.
- News: Netball: Diamonds scratch up 8-goal win. www.nzherald.co.nz. 25 April 2003. 26 May 2020.
- Web site: The National Bank Cup teams – 2007 Diamonds Team. www.netballnz.co.nz. https://web.archive.org/web/20071013203554/http://netballnz.co.nz/default.aspx?s=nbank_team_diamonds. 13 October 2007. 9 May 2023.
- Web site: Greatest moments in Otago sport - Number 24. www.odt.co.nz. 21 October 2011. 9 May 2023.
- News: Netball: Sting go through in National Bank Cup. www.nzherald.co.nz. 29 May 2005. 8 June 2023.
- Web site: Netball: Nod to all five Tasman Trophy bids. www.nzherald.co.nz. 8 May 2007. 20 June 2021.
- Web site: Mystics join forces. www.foxsports.com.au. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202951/https://www.foxsports.com.au/news/mystics-join-forces/news-story/c9b2371c2ba6cfd39fd78e9cc13eff2b. 24 June 2021. 6 April 2008. 22 June 2021.
- News: A look back on the makings of the Mystics for Heritage Round. www.northernmystics.co.nz. 31 March 2023. 8 June 2023.
- News: Netball: The courts are now in session. www.nzherald.co.nz. 17 April 2004. 26 May 2023.
- Web site: Netball: National Championship teams. www.nzherald.co.nz. 4 April 2007. 22 January 2019.
- Web site: Netball: Overseas imports spice national league. www.nzherald.co.nz. 30 June 2000. 23 May 2023.
- Web site: Courtside Round Seven Review – Sting and Magic to host Semi Finals. scoop.co.nz. 5 June 2007. 3 June 2023.
- News: Netball: Magic battle to beat Diamonds. www.nzherald.co.nz. 22 April 2001. 8 June 2023.
- News: Netball: Diamonds keep semi bid alive. www.nzherald.co.nz. 3 May 2003. 7 June 2023.
- News: National Bank Cup Round 2. www.photosport.nz. 15 April 2005. 8 June 2023.
- News: Netball: Diamonds are forever says Bond. www.nzherald.co.nz. 4 April 2007. 8 June 2023.
- News: Competition from cashed up codes 'massive challenge' for netball. www.rnz.co.nz. 25 May 2023. 8 June 2023.
- News: Posthumous honour for top netball coach and former Silver Fern. stuff.co.nz. 31 December 2018. 8 June 2023.
- News: Salter to be honoured by memorial trophy. www.odt.co.nz. 1 May 2019. 8 June 2023.
- News: Netball: Joan Hodson to coach Diamonds. www.nzherald.co.nz. 10 September 2002. 8 June 2023.
- News: Netball: Hodson replaced as Diamonds coach. www.nzherald.co.nz. 20 September 2004. 8 June 2023.