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Central Pulse defender Cushla Lichtwark - Source: Photosport
tvnz.co.nz's Michael Burgess wonders if the Wellington Central Pulse could be the worst professional sports team in New Zealand's history.
The Wellington Central Pulse have continued to flat-line throughout the 2009 season and are making a good case for being the worst professional sports team in New Zealand's history.
They failed to win a game in the inaugural 2008 season, losing 12 games.
The Pulse have shown signs of improvement this season, twice coming close to beating the Northern Mystics but nevertheless their winless streak now extends to 18 matches.
In 2008 the Pulse did manage to garner a competition point, but even that came in bizarre circumstances.
The West Coast Fever were leading their round 10 clash in Perth when water started leaking through the Challenge Stadium roof onto the court. The game was called off, and despite the Fever holding a commanding 33-16 lead the match was declared a draw.
The Pulse were formed as an amalgamation of the Wellington Shakers and Western Flyers out of the old National Bank Cup and have always encountered problems in recruiting quality players.
From the outset they failed to attract any Silver Ferns and their one world class player, the giant Sonia Mkoloma departed after just one season.
Most of the fault can be laid squarely at the feet of Netball New Zealand, who have failed to understand the essential concept of a salary cap.
The NRL is one of the closest and most unpredictable club competitions in the world precisely because teams are unable to sign or retain a galaxy of stars due to the strict provisions of the cap.
It is tough when a team wins the premiership and is then forced to release some of its best players - but it does spread the talent around.
Whereas the ANZ Championship sees the farcical situation of the Magic being able to present a starting line-up entirely made up of Silver Ferns players.
The message for Netball New Zealand is simple - get a cap that fits and put real restrictions on the personal sponsorship deals that have allowed teams such as the Magic to assemble such a superstar roster.
Are the Pulse the worst-ever professional sports team in New Zealand sport? Here are some other contenders.
The New Zealand Knights (2005-2007)
This ill-fated franchise replaced the Football Kingz in the A-League and started with high hopes. They scoured the globe in search of talent and ended up with players from all corners including such football powerhouses as Canada, China, Japan and Switzerland. The Albany-based team were woefully out of their depth, at one point losing 11 consecutive matches as part of an 18-match winless streak that lasted one year.
Northland NPC (2003-2006)
The pride of the North managed to lose 29 Air New Zealand NPC matches in a row across three seasons in Division One. The Taniwha only avoided relegation by winning their annual playoff each year against the champions from division two. The NZRU copped a lot of flak for this system. In response the gurus in Wellington decided to abolish the promotion relegation completely.
Crusaders (1996)
In the first season of Super 12 in 1996 the Crusaders scratched out just two wins and a draw along with eight losses to finish dead last. But the red and blacks, captained by Todd Blackadder, bounced back quickly to take the title in 1998 by defeating the Blues at Eden Park.
The Warriors (2004)
The Auckland-based NRL side made their bid for the crown in 2004 as they won only six matches all season, avoiding the wooden spoon on points differential to South Sydney. Coach Daniel Anderson left mid-season and his replacement Tony Kemp fared little better. Their 50-4 defeat at the hands of the Tigers in Christchurch remains one of the darkest days in franchise history. It turned out a watershed year as the end of the season saw some high profile signings, including a certain Steve Price and Ruben Wiki.
Taranaki Dynamos (2009)
From the similar region to the Pulse, the injury plagued Taranaki Dynamos have thus far notched up 11 consecutive losses in the 2009 NZBL season. They finished seventh in 2008 and will be struggling to avoid the wooden spoon in 2009.
