• Matches to be played on 6^th, 13^th and 21^st July ahead of ANZ Premiership matches and broadcast on Sky Sport
• Mystics and Stars working alongside Netball New Zealand to introduce new in-game innovations to be trialled during the series
• Mystics trial date set for 9am – 3pm Sunday 12^th May at Trusts Arena
• Mystics management line-up includes head coach Waana Araroa, assistant coach Sulu Fitzpatrick, manager Mikayla Kooiman and strength and conditioning coach Amelia Pasco

Men’s netball will take centre stage with an extended three-game series between the Mystics Men and Stars Men in July, featuring new in-game innovations.

It is the third consecutive year the teams will take part in the series aimed at providing exposure and development opportunities for men’s netball.

Games will be played ahead of ANZ Premiership matches and broadcast on Sky Sport, with the third and final match played before the women’s MG Mystics take on the Stars women on Sunday 21^st July at Pulman Arena where the winner will take home a trophy.

Netball Northern Zone and MG Mystics CEO Phil Vyver says, “We are now in our third year of delivering this series alongside the Stars and we believe it presents an exciting opportunity for a sponsor to come on board and help us to take it to the next level. It’s a unique proposition with the added appeal of pioneering in-game innovations that we could see applied to other competitions in the future.”

Both teams have been working alongside Netball New Zealand to introduce a number of new in-game innovations to be trialled during the series. Confirmation of these is expected within the coming weeks.

Players from across New Zealand are invited to trial for the Mystics Men from 9am to 3pm Sunday 12^th May at Trusts Arena, Waitākere, Auckland. A selection panel will then name a squad of twelve to contest the series.

Taking the helm of the Mystics Men this year is head coach Waana Araroa, former assistant coach of the Northern Marvels who is currently serving as an observation coach with the MG Mystics under the guidance of Tia Winikerei and Rob Wright.

“I acknowledge the history of men’s netball and the valuable contribution players have made in terms of supporting the performances and aspirations of the MG Mystics and the Northern Marvels teams,” Araroa says.

“We want to contribute to the brilliance that men bring to the game of netball, their athletic prowess and at times breath-taking moments of play.  Together our challenge will be to weave all that makes the men’s game exceptional and unique with the demands of a high-performance sports environment.  We welcome all trialists to our Mystics Home – we can’t wait to meet you all.”

Araroa will be supported by assistant coach, former MG Mystics captain and Silver Ferns veteran, Sulu Fitzpatrick, manager Mikayla Kooiman and strength and conditioning coach Amelia Pasco.

After a 13-year career in elite netball on the court, Fitzpatrick is relishing the opportunity to step into the coach’s box and says she’s looking forward to harnessing the different skillsets and attributes that the men bring to the game of netball.

“I’m excited to share the journey with the Mystics Men who have given selflessly to our region and sport for decades. The athleticism, diversity and speed that the men possess brings a dynamic to the game that I’m looking forward to exploring strategically through a coaching lens.

“I have a lot to learn and I’m looking forward to supporting the coach’s vision for this team. Mystics is where it began and where the journey continues.”

The men’s invitational series was first established in 2022 and spearheaded by Aotearoa Men’s netball captain Kruze Tangira, and former MG Mystics women’s head coach Helene Wilson who shared a vision to create a platform for men’s netball to thrive.

For the past two years the invitational series has been played across two matches, but has this year been extended to three matches to further grow the game and provide more court-time for men’s players at the elite level.

The series will be played as follows:

• Saturday 6th July 2:05pm at Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland
• Saturday 13th July 2:05pm at Eventfinda Stadium, Wairau Valley, Auckland
• Sunday 21st July 2:05pm at Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland