Lisa Mather signs on with Waikato-BOP Magic

Waikato-BOP Magic is pleased to announce mid-courter Lisa Mather will join the squad for the remainder of the ANZ Premiership season.

Mather, who has been a training partner with the Magic since the start of the 2018 pre-season, has been signed as a replacement for attacker Sydney Fraser who suffered a season-ending injury.

Magic head coach Margaret Forsyth said it was a good opportunity for Mather who had shown plenty of determination and willingness to learn since being part of the squad’s wider group.

“Opportunities arise from time to time in any environment,” she said. “Lisa has certainly stepped up to take this opportunity to move from a Magic Training Partner to a fully contracted player.

“Lisa has the heart, courage and open mindedness that we expect of our Magic players. It’s an exciting time for our team and for Lisa.”

Mather, who hails from Northland and is a Hilary Scholar at the University of Waikato, made her ANZ Premiership debut on May 16 when the Waikato-BOP Magic played the Southern Steel.

She has been in the game day squad for every ANZ Premiership match so far this season but said confirmation of the contract as a replacement player still caught her family by surprise.

“My Dad was a bit matter of fact about it but he was very excited the next day, once it had sunk in,” Mather said.

Mather moved to the Waikato to finish her secondary school years at St Peter’s School in Cambridge where she came under the tutelage of Magic assistant coach Amigene Metcalfe. She was a key member of the St Peter’s team in 2017 and made the Waikato-BOP Beko Netball League side the same year.

The Magic are sitting in fourth place on the ANZ Premiership ladder and head to Pulman Arena in Auckland to take on the Northern Stars on Wednesday night.