Phoenix Karaka (born 6 November 1993) is a New Zealand netball international. She was a member of the New Zealand teams that won the 2019 Netball World Cup.[1] Christine Papali'i is her mother.[2]

Phoenix Karaka
Personal information
Born (1993-11-06) 6 November 1993 (age 31)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
School Auckland Girls' Grammar School
Netball career
Playing position(s): GK, GD
Years Club team(s) Apps
2013–2015 Southern Steel 32
2016–201x Central Pulse
201x–202x Northern Mystics
Years National team(s) Caps
2010–2011 NZ Secondary Schools
2012–2013 NZ Under21
2014– New Zealand 34
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
Women's netball
Netball at the Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Birmingham Team

Career

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Following her success at secondary school level at Auckland Girls' Grammar School, Karaka rose through the ranks at age group level as a part of both the NZ Secondary Schools and NZ Under-21 teams, including the victorious Under-21 side at the Youth World Cup in Glasgow in 2013.[1][3]

Karaka signed her first professional contract with Southern Steel for the 2013 ANZ Championship, and remained a part of the Steel for the next three seasons before signing with the Central Pulse in 2016 after consistently impressive performances, including being ranked 3rd overall for intercepts in the 2015 ANZ Championship.[4] She captained Northern Mystics in 2019 and 2020.[5] but pulled out the following year due to pregnancy [6]

International

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Karaka made her debut for New Zealand on their 2014 Tour of the UK where she was initially selected as a training partner, however was soon promoted to the main squad following injury concerns to Casey Kopua.[3] She participated in the exhibition games against Scotland and England A, before making her test debut off as a substitute in the final stages of the Silver Fern's 17-goal victory over England on 20 January 2014.[3] Karaka made a triumphant return after earning her spot in the 2019 Netball World Cup winning team.[7] Karaka again returned following the birth of her daughter to the 2022 Netball Quad Series[8]

Karaka was named in the team of 12 for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.[9]

Personal life

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Phoenix Karaka's partner is All Black Patrick Tuipulotu[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Player Details / Silver Ferns Netball". Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  2. ^ Stanley, Ashley (13 May 2019). "ANZ Premiership: Phoenix Karaka rises from tough blow to lead the Mystics". Stuff. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Burdon, Nathan (14 February 2014). "Phoenix Karaka ready to take risks on court". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Phoenix Karaka Signs on for Mojo Pulse in 2016". Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  5. ^ Phoenix Karaka
  6. ^ Kiwi sporting couple Phoenix Karaka and Patrick Tuipulotu expecting first child
  7. ^ Netball: Silver Ferns reveal 2019 Netball World Cup squad
  8. ^ Karaka, Johnson back as Silver Ferns name quad series team
  9. ^ "Netball: Silver Ferns team announced for Commonwealth Games". www.nzherald.co.nz. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  10. ^ Phoenix Karaka eager to back partner Patrick Tuipulotu's own World Cup bid - 'Hope I'm going to Tokyo!'