Hawkins embraces youthful Tactix talent
Lacking the experience of many of their counterparts for the inaugural ANZ Premiership hasn’t deterred Mainland Tactix coach Sue Hawkins from the job at hand.
The Tactix will be the only team in the six-strong competition without a Silver Fern representation but Hawkins is a firm believer in the old adage that a team of champions doesn’t always make a champion team.
“From our point of view, I’m really happy with who we’ve got. We’re going to create a good environment and success will come with whatever we see success as,’’ she said.
The Tactix welcome back the core of last year’s team, including foundation player Anna Thompson, but the loss of their international shooting duo in the off-season means a new-look attack line for Hawkins.
There is also a cloud hanging over experienced defender Jess Moulds, who is still in rehabilitation mode after suffering a serious knee injury in September and her involvement next season remains up in the air.
“We’ll have a different attack end. But the ones that we’ve picked up are youngsters who are keen to build their game to a higher level,’’ Hawkins said.
“If I can create a good environment for them so that the national selectors have more goal attacks to look for in the future, then we’re doing our job for Netball New Zealand.’’
With local derbies proving popular with spectators, Hawkins is excited by the prospect of strong crowd involvement in the upcoming season as well as a return to a more defined New Zealand style.
“I think this competition is going to be really good for the sport and for the national team to create their own identity again,’’ she said.
“The crowds have a real identity with the New Zealand teams and I think that’s going to be good for all Clubs.’’
With the reduction to 10-player teams, Hawkins said the connection with respective Beko Netball League teams would be crucial.
“It means a one-team approach and that’s going to be better for our sport in New Zealand because it means we’re going to have a bigger base of players for our national coaches to draw from,’’ she said.
The Mainland Tactix will open their 2017 ANZ Premiership campaign against the WBOP Magic as part of a blockbuster Super Sunday on March 26 at Claudelands Arena, Hamilton.