After only two weeks in Wellington, Jane Altschwager already sounds completely at home, as she packs for Central Pulse's first training camp at Trentham Police College.

At 29, the 1.93m former Australian, Sydney Swifts and Adelaide Thunderbirds shooter isn't fazed by the challenge of fitting into a new regime, or playing in a team that has registered only one win in the past two years.

"I've been with a number of different teams at every level, some at the top, some at the bottom. My job is to work in with this team, and do whatever I can to improve their competitiveness."

It helps that her new team-mates have assembled in two groups, with Katrina Grant, Paula Griffin, Millie Lees (Silver Ferns), Te Amo Amaru-Tibble and Alanah Cassidy (NZU21) now returned from their respective national squad camps. "That's certainly made it easier to remember names!" says Altschwager.

She's candid about the primary reason for her transfer to Pulse, after getting only seven quarters with the Thunderbirds in 2009, but is also motivated by a desire to challenge herself, and play netball the New Zealand way.

"I'm not getting any younger and I want to play out the rest of my career on the court, not the bench."

"The two countries' playing styles are vastly different, so I'm really looking forward to learning the New Zealand style of zone defence from the source."

Wellington's recent wintry weather has been a slight shock to the system. "I did expect it to be cooler than South Australia, but it's been a little colder than I anticipated. However, Australia Day was fantastic, which has to be a good omen!"

Altschwager is unlikely to be intimidated by any of the stars she'll come up against in the 2010 ANZ Championship, having played with and alongside some of the sport's biggest names. She remembers three Australian players, in particular, with admiration.

"It was a massive learning curve for me as a young player at the Swifts alongside Liz Ellis, both on and off the court. Kathryn Harby-Williams was a very, very strong player, really formidable, and I enjoyed doing battle with [former Australian & Melbourne Phoenix defender] Liz Boniello ."

As for the Silver Ferns, she says, "In my first hit-out against New Zealand I was marked by Bernice Mene, which was a real eye-opener for me!"

Altschwager is clear-eyed, but positive about Pulse's prospects in 2010, noting Katrina Grant's signing as a factor in her decision to join them. "She's a very good defender, and a huge bonus for the team, while Paula Griffin did a great job last season, and got more games for the Silver Ferns too."

"Pulse got close on several occasions last year and have certainly given signs of their ability to win more than one game, that's for sure. They are definitely a team on the up."

Well aware of the need to develop a career beyond netball, Altschwager runs her own business, Babble Management, via the internet, and gained valuable experience as an account executive for Sticky Advertising in Newcastle. "It's a small company so I was able to work in every part of it. I think it's the biggest amount of work I've ever done in one spot!"

The source of the height which makes her so valuable in the goal circle is easily found: her mother is 1.80m, and her father is the same height as his lofty daughter. "Dad was a good footballer, but had to give it up to take over the farm, while my mother played hockey and golf - I think we only taught her to catch and throw a ball ten years ago!"

Family trips to New Zealand during Altschwager's childhood have given her some familiarity with her new home's scenery and attractions, including bungy-jumping which she finally tried two years ago. She's now keen to explore Marlborough's vineyards with family friends who work there, and to visit Inglewood, the birthplace of her grandfather.

SLIDESHOW IMAGE: Jane Altschwager takes the ball against Sonia Mkoloma in the Adelaide Thunderbirds' match against Canterbury Tactix, Round 4, 2009. Thunderbirds won a thrilling contest, 53-48 in extra time. (PHOTO: Michael Bradley)