Forsyth keen to build on Magic’s rich legacy

Assuming the head coach’s role for the first time, Margaret Forsyth is relishing the opportunity of leading Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic into the new era of Netball in New Zealand – the ANZ Premiership.

Being the only team to make the Finals Series in all nine years of the former trans-Tasman league, Magic created an impressive record which Forsyth is keen to emulate.

“I’m really excited about taking on a head coach role and in a new competition,” the former Silver Fern said. “We’ll certainly take the legacy of Magic with us but at the end of the day this is a new team and a new competition, so it’s just eyes forward.”

With experience provided in the form of returning former Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua, Grace Rasmussen and Sam Sinclair, the untapped potential of South African shooter Lenize Potgieter and a host of youthful talent at her disposal, Forsyth couldn’t be happier.

“I’ve gone out and been very selective about who’s come on board and I’m really excited to be working with such a young, enthusiastic and coachable group of athletes,” she said.

The coach sees her role as not only being focussed on player development but also the development of the player as an individual, South African import Potgieter being a case in point.

“For a 22-year-old South African player to say, `yes, I’m going to shift across to the other side of the world to play Netball’, I admire that kind of attitude. It shows some courage, some adventure and that she wants to get better and that’s what we’re all about,” Forsyth said.

The ANZ Premiership will provide new challenges not experienced in the previous trans-Tasman league, such as back-to-back games played on consecutive days.

“That’s something new for all of us, so it will come down to how you manage your 10 (players), how you prepare and how you recover,” Forsyth said.

On paper, Magic probably don’t have the same on-court experience as some of the other teams but Forsyth is more than confident that can be made up for in other ways.

The Magic will host the opening games of the ANZ Premiership in a blockbuster Super Sunday – Sunday 26 March - featuring all six teams in action in Hamilton. Information regarding tickets will be available shortly.