What’s inside: -Rasmussen Sisters – Making History -Mystic Milestones 2008 – 2013 -End of Season Sales
Issue No. 5 – July 2013
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Welcome to our July Edition
Coach’s Corner A Few Words from Ruth
Well – this is my final column to all you lovely Mystics fans … gosh it has come round quickly! We have just had our wrap up function for the season and it was fabulous to see the team all dressed up – they certainly do scrub up well ☺ It was also a great opportunity for the team to thank our fantastic sponsors (especially the Gold Sponsors - LG and Barfoot & Thompson) whose support allows the team to operate in a semi professional environment, and helps take our sport to the next level. However it would be fair to say that it was somewhat of a bittersweet occasion. Without a doubt, there have been some really good things to come out of this year : the ANZ debuts of our four teenagers, Peta, Kana, Bourkey and Malia (even if for Mars it had to be at the other end of the court to where she was initially selected!) the break through season for Bailey, and seeing her perform so confidently after having well and truly served her time on the bench over the last few years • the leadership of Maria – who has certainly had a baptism of fire in terms of having to deal with such a lot in her first year of captaincy, and had the unenviable task of fronting the media interviews after yet another loss! She has come such a long way, & I have been really proud of the way she’s grown into this role • and finally the amazing team spirit and team cohesion that has continued within this group despite the challenging season – and the way our fans have still responded to the team in such a positive way. You guys rock! But the reality is that a part of us is still really hurting … because we all care so much for this franchise and for the people who support us – both professionally and personally… and we hate it that we haven’t delivered this year. And I especially feel that I’ve let you all down! I was talking to Julie Paterson (CEO) after our last game in Tauranga and said to her – “who would have thought that 10 years as Silver Ferns coach would be of absolutely no use to help prepare me for this role and this season!!” Mmm…. But it’s so important that we all use the disappointment of this year, to shape the learning’s for next year - both individually and as a franchise. So we are all still working hard with the review process, to ensure these learning’s have been captured so that the team is better prepared for 2014. There are a few key people that I would like to thank before I jump on the plane to Singapore!
My partner in crime – Assistant coach Kiri Wills – we sure have had some challenges this year, but her passion, positivity and commitment to netball in the Northern Zone has made her such a pleasure to work with. 2013 has certainly been an eye opener for Kiz – she had the learning’s and “what if’s” of about 5 years of coaching all jammed into one year, so her apprenticeship has been fast tracked that’s for sure! • and while Kiri and I were definitely the most stressed in the management team, Stephanie Marr our fabulous physio was certainly the most overworked, with all the injury challenges she had to deal with! And even though our super organised manager, Chris Tennant, often didn’t know from one week to another exactly WHO was going to be in the travelling team, she still managed to keep things ticking over like clockwork. She is a logistics legend! I have very much enjoyed working with these fantastic women – and they have really helped make 2013 so memorable and such a lot of fun (well most of the time) •
The team behind the team – we have a great support services network that operate out of the Millennium Institute. Sam Pervan (Strength & Conditioning), Carolyn Donaldson (Athlete Life), Tracy Kirkaldy (Nutrition), & Kylie Wilson (Mental Skills) are all committed to helping the players become the best that they can be. From the analysis side of things we have been lucky to have the expertise of Linda McEwing (Video analyst) and Phil Vautier (Statistician) to provide the objective data to support the coaches’ instinct. The Mystics organization : Dianne McAteer (Board Chair), Julie Paterson (CEO) and Hamish Barton (HP Manager) have all provided great leadership and personal support for me and the team during a challenging season. Jill Clapcott (Event Manager) and Tash Osborne (Marketing & Media Manager) and the entire event crew at Trusts Arena do a fantastic job. Trusts is an amazing venue to play in – our home crowd is loud and proud … just the way we love it! And finally Debbie - I was more than happy to step into the coaching role last year, to allow Deb some well deserved time with her young family. It has been great talking with Deb during this “hand back” time, and I certainly have a strong sense that she is returning with renewed vigor and a fierce determination to succeed. The girls had better watch out, ha-ha! For me, I am certainly disappointed to not be around the Mystics environment next year, but I would not have missed this opportunity for the world (even though it has been the hardest thing I have ever done!!) This is a very special franchise and I wish you all the best for an amazing 2014 season– go get em! Ruth Aitken
On behalf of the LG Mystics, we wish Ruth all the best for her new adventures in Singapore, and thank her for her dedication to the Mystics and to game we all love.
cont. ….
Issue No 5 – July 2013
www.northernmystics.co.nz
What’s in this edition
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What’s Happening On and Off The Court
________________________________________ Sassy Rassy Sisters make ANZ history We chat to the three history making sisters, Grace, Rachel, and youngest sister to take the court; Annie. This article is written once again by our newest staff writer Elaina Moulds (Jess Moulds younger and equally talented sister) Mystics Family ☺ See page 6 for full story ________________________________________________
Debbie Fuller’s Coaching Blog Another great blog from Debbie. As of next month Debbie will take the reigns back as Head Coach for the Northern Mystics, so Coach’s Corner on page Two will be where Debbie will keep us up to date with off season signings, 2014 lead up etc. See page 5 for full blog
End of Season Merchandise Sale! Be in Quick (while stocks last)
________________________________________ MYSTICS SUPPORTERS SCARF
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Mystics Milestones Another season over all too quickly, so we take a quick snapshot of the LG Northern Mystics 2008 – 2013 . Which players have proudly worn the Mystics Colours, past coaches, and end of season standings. See page 8 for full list ________________________________________________________________________________
MYSTICS REPLICA KIDS DRESS
Fast 5 – Tickets on Sale With the 2013 ANZ Championship now over, we eagerly look ahead to what is next on the Netball Calendar. One of the favorites being Fast 5. Get your costume ready, get the gang together, and get your tickets today! See page 11 for more details
MYSTICS KEY RING & MAGNET COMBO
For more great Mystic Merchandise savings head to www.northernmystics.co.nz
Issue No.5- July 2013
www.northernmystics.co.nz
Coaching Blog - Debbie Fuller
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Debbie Fuller - Blog
Shares her tips and new ideas in the world of coaching.
I recently read an article on a great website that budding coaches should tap into – www.thesportinmind.com . The article said that coaches can accurately remember only 40% of performance. With this in mind, I reflected on my last season with the Mystics and can clearly recall feeling like this ,and also “at times” seeing red at the conclusion of the quarters if one of our players got a couple of penalties or turnovers in a row. This led to me making a poor coaching decision, using substitutions instead of looking at proper data to note the 13 minutes the player performed well. The article goes on to explain and shed light on something that happens to coaches called the “duration neglect and peak end rule”. Please find the bulk of the article below. “In training and competition it is important to use solid information to base our reflections on. Often at half time we see the peak end rule playing a factor in reflection of that half’s performance. This is especially common if the opposition score/ take the lead in the last minutes of that half. Peak end rule would suggest that the reflection of that half’s performance would be affected by this end experience and subsequently change the reflection we experience. If this takes place we have fallen for the duration neglect as we have failed to take into account the duration of good performance prior to the last minutes. This supports the use of performance analysis statistics at competition and even in training (where possible), as the statistics produced are more objective. This is in comparison to the human memory which as previous research has shown is likely to fall for duration neglect and peak end rule. So, how can athlete’s duration neglect or peak end rule? Base your judgments after viewing the statistics that are important to successful performance. Use a performance log to catalogue what happens during training as well as competition. Reflection on the duration of the good performance. Try and finish training sessions in a positive manner (if possible) this plays on the peak end rule as previously shown and may help you to have a positive memory of the session. Avoid focusing on ‘snapshots’ too much. I hope by highlighting the duration neglect and peak end rule we can all be aware of this and how it affects our reflections on performance. Debs
Issue No 5. - July 2013
www.northernmystics.co.nz
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Rasmussen Sisters , Making History
Netball – A family affair Article by Elaina Moulds.
The Rasmussen sisters have made ANZ Championship history as the first family to have three siblings playing simultaneously in the league. The addition of little sister, Annie, to the Mystics side in the final game of the season has made the Champs a Rasmussen family affair. Older sisters Grace and Rachel were extremely proud of their little sister who has trained so hard to gain the opportunity. “I won’t lie, I definitely had tears in my eyes,” Rachel says. The game was a milestone not only for the family, but for Grace personally, as it was her 60th ANZ Championship cap. Though when I mentioned this, she hadn’t realized! “Wow I didn’t realize it was my 60th match- that’s pretty special!” Grace mentions that since her addition to the team in 2008, staying loyal to the Mystics franchise has been an easy task. “The fans are amazing, family is here and Auckland is home.” Since the beginning, Grace has played alongside Rachel and now Annie and notes this as a highlight, the experience “amazing and surreal.” However, with Rachel moving to the Southern Steel this season, both admit it was hard seeing the other in different team colours. “I'm the soft one, she's the tough nut, so I think I may have been slightly more emotional than her,” Grace admits. “But as soon as that whistle went we had to put aside that sisterly love,” Rachel agrees. Growing up in a household with seven siblings and supportive parents is something that both girls think added to the success of the family. “Home was a giant playground and having six other siblings there was a lot of healthy competition - a streak that we Rassys are known for,” Grace admits. “Our parents have always encouraged us to make the most of opportunities,” Rachel adds.
Grace & Annie
Despite their competitive streaks developed through a busy upbringing, the Rasmussen sisters continue to support each other and even credit some of their success to their sisters. “The fact we've all grown up training and playing together has been huge,” Grace says. In fact all three sisters have appeared in the same team back in 2012 – all three “Rassys” played at regional level for Waitakere in the NPC campaign.
Grace & Rachel Netball Career Highlights Grace : Silver Ferns: 2009 - 2012 Commonwealth Games Gold 2010 World Netball Series Gold 2009, 2010 NZU21: 2004 - 2009 MYSTICS 2008 - PRESENT
Between the three sisters, there have been some fantastic achievements, and now with the newest Rasmussen on the block , Annie making her mark, we will no doubt see many more.
Netball Career Highlights Rachel : World Netball Series Gold 2010 New Zealand U21 -World Youth Netball Championships, winning silver in 2000 / gold in 2005 MYSTICS 2008 – 2009, 2001-2012 STEEL - 2013
Netball Career Highlights Annie: Under 21 National Champs 2010 NPC Campaign 2012 Netball Northern Under 23 - Captain MYSTICS 2013
Issue No 5. - July 2013
www.northernmystics.co.nz
Waitakere NPC “The Rassys”
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Mystic Milestones 2008 to 2013
Signed Mystics Players Temepara George Leana De Bruin Jade Topia Sheryl Scanlan Grace Rasmussen Stephanie Bond Rachel Rasmussen Angelina Yates Paula Griffin Cathrine Latu Rawinia Everitt Vilimaina Davu Teresa Tairi Debbie White Finau Pulu Keshia Grant Maria Tutaia Pamela Cookey (UK) Joline Henry Larrissa Willcox Kayla Cullen Jenny-May Coffin Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick Althea Byfield (Jam) Bailey Mes Anna Harrison Jessica Moulds Megan Dehn (Aus) Kayla McAlister Portia Woodman Jade Clarke (UK) Charlotte Kight Julie Corletto (Aus) Malia Paseka Elisapeta Toeava Hayley Saunders Jessica Bourke Erikana Pedersen Lavinia Vaitohi Ann-Helen Rasmussen Hannah Broederlow
2008/2009/2010/2011/2012 2008 2008/2009 2008 2008/2009/2010/2011/2012/2013 2008/2009 2008/2009/2011/2012 2008 2008 2008/2009/2010/2011/2012/2013 2008/2009 2008/2009 2008 2009 2009/2010 2009 2010/2011/2012/2013 2009 2010/2011 2010 2010/2011/2012/2013 2010 2010 2010 2010/2011/2012/2013 2011/2012/2013 2011/2012/2013 2011 2011 2011/2012 2012 2012/2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013
Issue No 5 - July 2013
www.northernmystics.co.nz
Coaching and Management 2008 Coach Assistant Coach Manager
Yvonne Willering Te Aroha Keenan Natalie Milicich
2009 Coach Assistant Coach Manager
Te Aroha Keenan Debbie Fuller Tash Osborne
2010 Coach Assistant Coach Manager
Te Aroha Keenan Debbie Fuller Sheryl Wells
2011 Coach Assistant Coach Manager
Debbie Fuller Jenny-May Coffin Chris Tennant
2012 Coach Assistant Coach Manager
Debbie Fuller Gail Parata Chris Tennant
2013 Coach Assistant Coach Manager
Ruth Aitken Kiri Wills Chris Tennant
Year Placing's 2008
7th Place
2009
8th Place
2010
6th Place
2011
2nd Place
2012
3rd Place
2013
10th Place
LG Mystics – 2013 Sponsors and Advertising Opportunities for 2014
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2013 Player Sponsors
If your company would like more info on Player Sponsorship opportunities please email info@lgmystics.co.nz
Harvey World Travel
Keith Nelson & Associates
MILK Tailor Made Books
The Flying Herons
Auckland Drape Company
ADVERTISE WITH US : Mystics Nation is the official monthly online magazine of the LG Northern Mystics • • • • What’s inside: Catch up with the Corletto’s Who am I ? Competition Mystics on the Move Road trip And so much more!
Downloaded on Northern Mystics Facebook Page/Twitter – 8,269 fans Downloaded on Netball New Zealand Facebook Page/Twitter – 22,703 fans Emailed out to Membership Database – 2500 Advertised via ANZ Championship Facebook Page/Twitter 40,409 fans
ADVERTISING OPTIONS Full or half page ad space Sponsor a regular feature page Banners (foot of page)
For more information on pricing and availability please email tash.osborne@lgmystics.co.nz
Issue No.5 – July 2013
www.northernmystics.co.nz
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ANZ Championship Sponsors
Issue No 5 . – July 2013
www.northernmystics.co.nz