ANZ Netball 2011

Your free guide to the 2011 ANZ Championship

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Contents ANZ Championship Preview..... 4, 7 Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel ................................... 8 Mercury Energy Tactix ..................... 10

MANAGING EDITOR

First Windows Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic .................... 12

Oliver Lee

Haier Pulse .............................................. 15

EDITORIAL

ANZ Championship 2011 Draw ............................................. 16, 17

Robert Tighe Kathryn Harby-Williams

PHOTOGRAPHY

LG Mystics............................................... 18

Michael Bradley

ANZ Netball.................................... 20, 21

DESIGN/LAYOUT

Melbourne Vixens ............................... 22

Mervyn Hurley hurley new zealand limited

NSW Swifts ............................................. 25

PRINTER

West Coast Fever ............................... 26

Webstar, Masterton

PUBLISHER

J Oliver Lee & Associates Ltd PO Box 331-667, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand Phone 0-9-486 6966 email: oliverlee@xtra.co.nz

Adelaide Thunderbirds .................... 29 Queensland Firebirds........................ 30

COPYRIGHT

Reproduction in whole or part by any means is prohibited.

DISCLAIMER

The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to use of material in this magazine.

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Tough, terrific season ahead Former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams previews the fourth season of the ANZ Championship.

Before we look ahead to what’s in store over the next five months or so let’s look back at the Delhi experience and the Silver Ferns incredible win over Australia in the Commonwealth Games gold medal match. What an occasion it was – dreams were realised, reputations enhanced and stars were born.

Fast forward a few months and it’s back to the reality of preseason training, the hard yards and the pain – all part of the preparations for the highly competitive ANZ Championship.

Some great unknowns lie ahead. What impact, if any, will that game in Delhi have on the ANZ competition? Will the players live up to the high expectations they’ve set for themselves? Will it mean bigger crowds and a bigger television audience? And most importantly, will the newfound confidence of New Zealand netball help DELHIver (sorry couldn’t help myself!) that elusive first ANZ Championship title to a Kiwi side?

If only it were that simple.

Just because Maria Tutaia was the star of the show in Delhi, with a near faultless performance, doesn’t mean she’ll be able to deliver the same quality every week for the Mystics. Laura Langman, Casey Williams and Irene van Dyk were at the heart of the Silver Ferns effort but that doesn’t mean the same three players are enough to guarantee the Magic the title. And just because Katrina Grant enhanced her reputation in Delhi doesn’t mean the Central Pulse will automatically learn how to win games.

The test for the players who played in one of the best games, if not the best game of netball ever in Delhi, will be more emotional than physical. Their skills won’t desert them but the challenge will be to keep them motivated and sharp. The other challenge of course for New Zealand teams is to learn how to win across the Tasman. So how are the ten teams shaping up?

Thunderbirds The defending champions (like previous winners the Swifts and Vixens) could finish outside the top four. The loss of star defenders, Mo’onia Gerrard and Geva Mentor, means coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson will need to dig deep

4

into her bag of tricks to mould her side into finals contenders.

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic On paper the Magic are as good as any in the competition but twice now they have stumbled at the final hurdle. Julianna Naoupu is a terrific acquisition whose court smarts will complement Irene van Dyk. The Magic should make the top four again but they will need to nail a home grand final to give themselves a chance of an inaugural championship win.

Steel Last year’s surprise package, the Steel will miss captain Megan Dehn but her replacement, the experienced Australian import Natasha Chokljat is a good signing. The key to success will be how Paula Griffin combines in attack with Daneka Wipiiti. They are not a terribly dynamic attacking pair but the Steel will be hoping the mid-court combination of Chokljat and Leana Leota (nee Barret-Chase) can make up for their shortcomings.

Swifts Last year they went from dominating the competition to basket cases in a few short weeks – such is the pressure of going through the regular season undefeated.

Mo’onia Gerrard will add more experience and will form an exciting combination with Sonia Mkoloma allowing Rebecca Bulley to settle into the WD position. Will again be a frontrunner and a second title beckons.

Firebirds Their key players, Aiken, Geitz, Medhurst and Nourse, will again be around in their quest to make the playoffs. They’ve been knocking on the door for the past three seasons but they may be in for some more heartache. Aiken will need to return to the unrivalled form she showed in the first two seasons of the competition for her side to have a breakthrough year.

Mystics Everyone expected big things from the Auckland side last year. After a massive recruiting campaign that saw them secure Silver Ferns stars, Maria Tutaia and Joline Henry, they looked set to push for title honours.

They failed to deliver last season but the high expectations haven’t gone away.

Continued on page 7

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Season preview continued from page 4.

New recruits, Megan Dehn and Anna Scarlett will bring some valuable experience. Add the Tutaia factor and finals netball here we come.

against this young enthusiastic squad and to change their fortunes they are in desperate need of a high quality recruit.

Vixens

Pulse

After a disastrous 2010, a strong recruiting campaign should be enough to see the Vixens back on track. There’s no doubt they suffered a premiership hangover from their win in 2009 but this team is good enough to be back in the winners circle this season.

New recruit, Kate Beveridge will be able to ply her trade at her more customary position of GS (rather than GA where she struggled to settle with the Thunderbirds). Madison Browne is a talent and will enjoy playing in a winning culture while English international and Thunderbird hero Geva Mentor will enhance an already strong defensive unit.

With a fit Julie Corletto, the Vixens may find themselves on top of the podium once again.

Fever

Tactix Should definitely move off the bottom of table but it will be a matter of how high they climb.

After all, former Sting, Steel and Silver Ferns legend Donna Wilkins isn’t accustomed to losing whilst at the other end Kasey Evering will add some exciting Jamaican flair.

Kathryn Harby-Williams is a regular presenter on Sky Sport’s coverage of the ANZ Championship.

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The Perth side will again cause an upset or two but will miss dynamic mid-courter Madison Browne. The travel factor is always

The Pulse will be hoping to improve on their one victory from last season. Australian import Caitlin Thwaites will provide more than former captain Jane Altschwager but the loss of Paula Griffin could make it tough going for the side from Wellington. After finally moving off the bottom of the ladder in 2010 they’ll need to work hard to avoid the wooden spoon this season.

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Steel still ones to watch With coach Robyn Broughton calling the shots the Steel will be hoping to make the playoffs again.

LIANA LEOTA

HOME AND AWAY: The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel will get an early indication of their current standing in New Zealand netball when they go on the road to play the Mystics and the Magic in their opening two games.

Coach Robyn Broughton can’t wait to take on the star-studded Mystics.

WENDY FREW

Team: ASCOT PARK HOTEL SOUTHERN STEEL

“The Mystics are loaded,” says Broughton. “They are stacked and they need to perform with all the talent they’ve got. That might just give us an incentive to go harder against them.”

Netball Regions: Otago, Southland Erika Burgess Natasha Chokljat Leana de Bruin Sophia Fenwick Wendy Frew Paula Griffin Liana Leota Hayley Saunders Sheryl Scanlan Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit Te Paea Selby-Rickit Daneka Wipiiti

SIDELINE VIEW: Broughton is hopeful that this is the year a New Zealand team can break the Australian dominance of the ANZ Championship. Going into the fourth year of the competition Broughton is still waiting for the title to come across the Tasman.

“I think it is disappointing for all of us and disappointing for New Zealand netball. I’m not sure what it is. It’s just the little things. We need to be a bit harder on ourselves I suppose. I think Australian teams are much weaker in defence than they’ve ever been and New Zealand teams should be really going for it against them.”

Of the New Zealand teams, Broughton expects big things from the Mystics, a team the Steel will face in the opening round.

Coach: Robyn Broughton

“I think they’ve underperformed in the past and now the time has come for them to perform. They’ve got some really good players. The Magic will be right up there and the Tactix have recruited well with Donna Wilkins.”

Website: southernsteel.co.nz

Tickets: See website for details

As for where her own side is at, Broughton is playing her cards close to her chest.

Contact: PO Box 6034, Invercargill Telephone: 03 217 1303

“Wendy Frew has got a shoulder injury. Sheryl Scanlan has been injured again but the rest of the girls are looking quite good.”

8

DANEKA WIPIITI

WHO’S HOT: Broughton obviously doesn’t believe in talking up her star signing from Australia, Natasha Chokljat.

“While Megan Dehn is a big loss from last season, we’ve secured Australian Natasha Chokljat and she’s fitting really well into the Steel environment. Natasha is a mid-courter whereas Megan was a shooter but we’ve also gained Paula Griffin and she has trained really well and is looking good.”

Griffin will be hoping the move to the Steel can revive her Silver Ferns career while Liana Leota (nee Barrett-Chase), last year’s MVP in the ANZ Championship, is another to watch out for.

“She was outstanding last year,” says Broughton. “I think she’s got it all. She’s a hard worker on defence as well as on attack. If things go wrong she seems to fix things up, she thinks well on the court and is a good leader. She’s been great.”

TIP FOR THE TOP: “The Vixens will be back,” says Broughton. “I’d pick the Vixens, big time, especially with Julie Corletto back. I’m not sure where the Thunderbirds are. I’m not sure if they’ve replaced the players they’ve lost at the defensive end. If the Mystics don’t make it this year, I don’t know what they’d do.

I would really hope we’re there and I think the Magic will be there too.”

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Tactix do things tough The Tactix have turned to a Silver Ferns legend to try and turn things around after finishing bottom of the table last season.

CHARLOTTE KIGHT

ANNA THOMPSON

HOME AND AWAY: Mercury Energy Tactix coach Helen Mahon-Stroud is feeling positive ahead of the start of the season.

Team: MERCURY ENERGY TACTIX

“I think we’ve got a better draw than last year. We’ve only got two Australian trips and we’ve got a better spacing of home games. Last year we were away for five games on the trot towards the end of the competition and that was hard.”

Netball Region: Canterbury Maree Bowden Kasey Evering Phillipa Finch Anna Galvan Ellen Halpenny Kiley Hikawai Charlotte Kight Hannah Poff Finau Pulu Anna Thompson Joanna Trip Donna Wilkins

SIDELINE VIEW: “We’ve only got one way to go after last season and that is up,” says Mahon-Stroud.

“While we may not be top four contenders this season we’ll be doing everything we can to win as many games as possible.”

To that end, the Tactix have gone for a proven winner in former Sting, Steel and Silver Ferns star, Donna Wilkins.

“Donna is experienced, she’s a competitor, she knows how to win and she doesn’t suffer fools lightly,” says Mahon-Stroud. “She leads by experience and has the respect of the other players. She’s been training really hard and she adds considerable ability at our attacking end.”

Coach: Helen Mahon-Stroud

Website:

And Wilkins is a true professional, something the Tactix have worked hard to impress on their players in the off-season.

tactix.org.nz

Tickets: www.ticketek.co.nz

“We’ve made some significant changes to our strength and conditioning programme. We’re in the fourth year of this competition and while some players may feel they’re semi-professional, and they may not be paid as much as the rugby players or cricketers, they are contracted for seven months of the year. During that period they need to

Contact: PO Box 35112, Shirley, Christchurch Telephone: 03 383 5311

10

MAREE BOWDEN

be professionals in every aspect of their training, their on-court and off-court performance.”

WHO’S HOT: While the Tactix have shopped locally to bolster their attacking ranks, they’ve gone a bit further afield to strengthen their defensive end. Kasey Evering is a six-foot Jamaican international defender and Mahon-Stroud is looking forward to seeing how she fits into the side.

“She’ll be an unknown quantity. She hasn’t played in the ANZ Championship before so it’ll be interesting to see how she adapts to our environment and the level of competition.”

“Charlotte Kight is going from strength to strength. She’s still a very young player but she’s on the fringes of the Silver Ferns and we’re looking to support her in her bid for higher honours. We’re looking for her to be the star she’s been at our defensive end for the last few seasons.”

TIP FOR THE TOP: Mahon-Stroud predicts a tight finish to the ANZ Championship.

“I think you could see a real bottleneck at the end of the season. I think the Thunderbirds will be up there, the Vixens will bounce back and the Swifts and the Magic will be there. But you can’t discount the Steel either and the Mystics are full of Silver Ferns. I think we could be a bit of a dark horse and be a bit of a thorn in the side of some of the bigger teams.”

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Magic will be in the mix Beaten finalists again last year, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic have retained their big names and their hunger to win their first ANZ Championship.

IRENE VAN DYK

Team: FIRST WINDOWS WAIKATO/BAY OF PLENTY MAGIC

CASEY WILLIAMS

LAURA LANGMAN

HOME AND AWAY: The First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic face the two other New Zealand heavyweights, the Mystics and the Steel in their opening two games but a bye in the opening round suits their coach Noeline Taurua just fine.

Netball Regions: Waikato, Bay of Plenty Jamilah Gupwell Laura Langman Erena Mikaere Julianna Naoupu Peta Scholz Frances Solia Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick Jodi Tod Jessica Tuki Irene van Dyk Arahi Wall Casey Williams

“We can sit back that first weekend and watch the Mystics and Steel have a go at each other so that will be helpful for us when we play them.”

SIDELINE VIEW: The pain of losing a second Grand Final in three years still hurts but Magic coach Noeline Taurua learned a valuable lesson in the 52-42 loss to the Thunderbirds in the 2010 decider.

“You never want to lose but we really bombed out in the final. We weren’t able to keep up the intensity or the energy levels. It showed you’ve got to have seven players on court contributing, you can’t rely on your big players to take the whole load.”

Coach:

The Magic have retained their key players and their strength down the middle of the court, led from the back

by Casey Williams with Laura Langman and Irene van Dyk providing a strong spine to the team. Taurua is also excited to have former Australian international Peta Scholz back on board after major knee surgery last year.

Noeline Taurua

Website: netballmagic.co.nz

Tickets: www.ticketdirect.co.nz and local outlets. See website for details.

“Peta did her knee in April and we really missed her at the business end of the season. She provides us with a tenacious, aggressive Australian approach. There is no mucking around with her. Peta would have made a huge difference to us in that final.”

Contact: PO Box 13310, Tauranga 3141 Telephone: 07 571 0886

That final could also make a huge difference to the Magic’s approach to this season.

12

“There was a bit of a numb feeling after it but we just have to do things better. I want us to be a tough team unit this year, mentally and physically. We want to win this competition.”

WHO’S HOT: With Jodi Brown out for the season to have a baby the Magic had to go shopping for a new goal attack to team up with Irene van Dyk. Instead of just one, they opted for two and while they haven’t snared a big name, Taurua is confident she’s found a couple of gems.

“Julianna Naoupu comes from the Steel. She’s got a lot of potential but she hasn’t had a lot of court time. She’s still very young but she brings a lot of enthusiasm. Jamilah Gupwell comes from the Pulse and has been a Wellington stalwart for a few years now so there will be a bit of competition between those two.”

TIP FOR THE TOP: “There are some really powerful teams out there this year,” says Noeline Taurua. “The Swifts will be there. The Mystics should be there. The Vixens are very strong and I would like to say the Magic will be in the top four. But it’s going to be tight. You’ve got some real packed teams. I think it will come down to the last round to decide who is in the playoffs.”

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T ’ N D L U O C E W S P A E H D N SPE G N I H S A W ON A MACHINE. S ’ O W T R E B NUM .

Y A W E H T ON W W W. H A I E R . C O . N Z

Wins a priority for Pulse Just one win from 13 games last season means things can only get better for the Pulse.

KATRINA GRANT

NGARAMA MILNER-OLSEN

CAMILLA LEES

HOME AND AWAY: Haier Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie is one of the few coaches pleased with the luck of the draw.

“The good thing for us is we play a lot of games at home in the early rounds and we’ve got a good break between our away games. It’ll be a good test to have the Mystics first up. They look to have a very strong side.”

SIDELINE VIEW: Silver Ferns defender Katrina Grant will captain the Pulse and her coach is hoping her team is inspired by what happened at the Commonwealth Games.

“I think what Delhi proves is that anything is possible,” says McCausland-Durie. “We’ve always had a hoodoo of not being able to win away and that is a big challenge for us this year. We need to get more wins on the board.”

“We’ve got close to teams before and won the odd game here and there but we need to put more than just one win together. We need wins on the board for the franchise, for the sponsors and for the supporters, but more importantly for the pride of the players.”

Grant can be relied upon to make things difficult for the opposition at the defensive end but it is at the attacking end that the Pulse need to lift their game.

“For us, our shooting group is really young but I’ve been really impressed with their accuracy and their ability to work the circle,” says McCausland-Durie. “It’s been good to see players like Te Amo Amaru-Tibble and Amber Bellringer step up. The players are all more experienced now; all of them have played in this competition before and none of them are new to it, so that’s a big help.”

McCausland-Durie says her team has worked hard in pre-season.

Team:

“I think we’re in better shape physically than we were last year and I think we’re developing some good links and combinations on court.”

Netball Regions:

WHO’S HOT: Paula Griffin’s move to the Steel saw the Pulse go shopping across the Tasman for a replacement shooter. They picked up Caitlin Thwaites from the Vixens, a dual international who has also played volleyball for Australia. McCausland-Durie is happy with what she’s seen from the 24-year-old.

Te Amo Amaru-Tibble Amber Bellringer Alanah Cassidy Katrina Grant Camilla Lees Cushla Lichtwark Elizabeth Manu Ngarama Milner-Olsen Daya Pritchard Victoria Smith Caitlin Thwaites Jade Topia

“Caitlin will be a real asset for us in terms of her ability to perform under pressure and her consistency in the shooting circle. She didn’t get much court time with the Vixens last year but she has worked incredibly hard to get fitter and stronger and make sure she has a better season.”

TIP FOR THE TOP: McCausland-Durie goes for the usual suspects when it comes to the teams she expects to battle it out for the playoff spots.

“The Swifts are looking really strong, the Mystics on paper should be in the top four, along with the Magic and the Vixens. One of the most balanced sides looks like the Mystics but the top four all have good defence, good strong mid-courters and shooters with high percentages and that makes them the real standouts.”

HAIER PULSE Eastern, Western, Wellington, Tasman

Coach: Yvette McCausland-Durie

Website: pulse.org.nz

Tickets: See website for details

Contact: PO Box 50697, Porirua Telephone: 04 389 0233

15

ANZ Championship 2011 Draw ROUND DAY

DATE

1

Sunday

Monday

2

LOCAL TIME

HOME TEAM

AWAY TEAM

VENUE

LOCATION

13-February 12.20

Swifts

Thunderbirds

Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

Sydney

14-February 7.40

Mystics

Steel

The Trusts Stadium Arena

Auckland

Saturday

19-February 4.20

Pulse

Mystics

Te Rauparaha Arena

Porirua

Sunday

20-February 1.50

Thunderbirds

Vixens

ETSA Park

Adelaide

Sunday

20-February 6.20

WBOP Magic

Steel +

Energy Events Centre

Rotorua

Monday

21-February 6.40

Firebirds

Swifts

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Brisbane

Monday

21-February 7.40

Tactix

Fever

CBS Arena

Christchurch

3

Thursday

24-February 7.10

Fever

Thunderbirds

Challenge Stadium

Perth

SUPER ROUND

Thursday

24-February 7.40

Mystics

WBOP Magic

The Trusts Stadium Arena

Auckland

Saturday

26-February 1.20

Firebirds

Thunderbirds

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Brisbane

Saturday

26-February 2.20

Pulse

Steel

Te Rauparaha Arena

Porirua

Sunday

27-February 2.20

Swifts

Vixens

Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

Sydney

Sunday

27-February 6.20

Tactix

Mystics +

CBS Arena

Christchurch

Monday

28-February 7.10

Fever

Firebirds

Challenge Stadium

Perth

Monday

28-February 7.40

Pulse

WBOP Magic

TSB Bank Arena

Wellington

4

Saturday

5-March

1.50

Thunderbirds

Pulse

ETSA Park

Adelaide

Sunday

6-March

1.20

Firebirds

Steel

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Brisbane

Sunday

6-March

6.20

Mystics

Vixens +

The Trusts Stadium Arena

Auckland

Monday

7-March

7.40

Tactix

WBOP Magic

CBS Arena

Christchurch

Monday

7-March

7.40

Swifts

Fever

Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

Sydney

5

Saturday

12-March

2.20

Vixens

Fever

State Netball & Hockey Centre

Melbourne

Sunday

13-March

1.50

Thunderbirds

Firebirds

ETSA Park

Adelaide

Sunday

13-March

6.20

WBOP Magic

Mystics +

Mystery Creek Events Centre

Hamilton

Monday

14-March

7.40

Steel

Pulse

Stadium Southland’s ILT Velodrome

Invercargill

Monday

14-March

7.40

Swifts

Tactix

Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

Sydney

6

Thursday

17-March

7.10

Fever

Swifts

Challenge Stadium

Perth

Saturday

19-March 12.50

Fever

Steel

Challenge Stadium

Perth

Sunday

20-March

2.20

Swifts

Firebirds

Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

Sydney

Sunday

20-March

6.20

Pulse

Tactix +

Arena Manawatu

Palmerston Nth

Monday

21-March

7.40

WBOP Magic

Vixens

Mystery Creek Events Centre

Hamilton

Monday

21-March

7.10

Thunderbirds

Mystics

ETSA Park

Adelaide

7

Saturday

26-March

4.20

Mystics

Firebirds

The Trusts Stadium Arena

Auckland

Sunday

27-March

2.20

Vixens

Tactix

Hisense Arena

Melbourne

Sunday

27-March

6.20

Pulse

Swifts +

TSB Bank Arena

Wellington

rivalry ROUND

Monday

28-March

5.10

Fever

WBOP Magic

Challenge Stadium

Perth

Monday

28-March

7.40

Steel

Thunderbirds

Stadium Southland’s ILT Velodrome

Invercargill

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ROUND

8 SUPER ROUND

9

10 SUPER ROUND

11

12

DAY

DATE

LOCAL TIME

HOME TEAM

AWAY TEAM

VENUE

LOCATION

Thursday

31-March

Thursday

31-March

7.40

Tactix

Steel

CBS Arena

Christchurch

7.40

Vixens

Firebirds

State Netball & Hockey Centre

Saturday

Melbourme

2-April

4.20

Mystics

Pulse

The Trusts Stadium Arena

Auckland

Sunday

3-April

2.20

Vixens

Steel

Hisense Arena

Melbourne

Sunday

3-April

6.20

Tactix

Thunderbirds +

CBS Arena

Christchurch

Monday

4-April

7.40

Pulse

Fever

Te Rauparaha Arena

Porirua

Monday

4-April

7.40

Firebirds

WBOP Magic

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Brisbane

Saturday

9-April

4.20

Steel

Tactix

Edgar Centre

Dunedin

Sunday

10-April

2.20

Vixens

Thunderbirds

Hisense Arena

Melbourne

Sunday

10-April

6.20

Pulse

Firebirds +

Te Rauparaha Arena

Porirua

Monday

11-April

5.40

Fever

Mystics

Challenge Stadium

Perth

Monday

11-April

7.40

WBOP Magic

Swifts

Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre

Tauranga Rotorua

Thursday

14-April

7.40

WBOP Magic

Tactix

Energy Events Centre

Thursday

14-April

7.40

Firebirds

Vixens

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Brisbane

Saturday

16-April

1.50

Thunderbirds

Swifts

ETSA Park

Adelaide

Sunday

17-April

12.20

Fever

Vixens

Challenge Stadium

Perth

Sunday

17-April

6.20

Steel

WBOP Magic +

Stadium Southland’s ILT Velodrome

Invercargill

Monday

18-April

7.40

Tactix

Pulse +

CBS Arena

Christchurch

Monday

18-April

7.40

Swifts

Mystics

Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

Sydney

Thursday

21-April

7.40

Steel

Swifts

Edgar Centre

Dunedin

Saturday

23-April

2.20

Vixens

Pulse

Hisense Arena

Melbourne

Sunday

24-April

1.50

Thunderbirds

WBOP Magic

ETSA Park

Adelaide

Sunday

24-April

6.20

Mystics

Tactix +

The Trusts Stadium Arena

Auckland

Monday

25-April

7.40

Firebirds

Fever

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Brisbane

Saturday

30-April

4.20

Tactix

Firebirds

CBS Arena

Christchurch

Sunday

1-May

2.20

Vixens

Swifts

Hisense Arena

Melbourne

Sunday

1-May

6.20

Steel

Mystics +

Stadium Southland’s ILT Velodrome

Invercargill

Monday

2-May

7.10

Thunderbirds

Fever

ETSA Park

Adelaide

Monday

2-May

7.40

WBOP Magic

Pulse

Taupo Events Centre

Taupo

+ Denotes New Zealand College Netball Curtain Raiser Match.

FINALS SERIES: 1st Semi-Final Sunday 8-May 2nd Semi-Final Monday 9-May Preliminary Final Sunday 15-May or Monday 16-May (date to be confirmed) Grand Final Sunday 22-May or Monday 23-May (date to be confirmed)

FORMAT SEMI-FINALS: • 1 v 2 – minor premiers host major semi-final (subject to venue availability) • 3 v 4 – team finishing third host minor semi-final (subject to venue availability)

• Winner 1 v 2 directly into Grand Final. Loser hosts preliminary final (subject to venue availability) • Winner 3 v 4 contests preliminary final against loser of major semi-final (subject to venue availability)

PRELIMINARY FINAL: • Loser of major semi-final hosts preliminary final against winner of minor semi-final

GRAND FINAL: • Hosted by winner of major semi-final against winner of preliminary final Please note that game schedules are subject to change. Please check game details with home team or venue.

17

More star quality for Mystics The Mystics have a new coach and new players as they bid to make the playoffs for the first time.

MARIA TUTAIA

CATHRINE LATU

HOME AND AWAY: The LG Mystics play all four New Zealand sides before their first game against Australian opposition. However, new coach Debbie Fuller, who steps up from the assistant coach role she filled last year, doesn’t agree it makes for an easy start to the season.

TEAM: LG MYSTICS

Netball Regions: North, Auckland Waitakere, Counties Manukau

“The New Zealand sides are just as formidable as the Australian sides,” says Fuller. “I don’t take anyone for granted and I respect every opposition we come up against.”

Kayla Cullen Megan Dehn Temepara George Joline Henry Cathrine Latu Kayla McAlister Bailey Mes Jessica Moulds Grace Rasmussen Rachel Rasmussen Anna Scarlett Maria Tutaia

SIDELINE VIEW: Fuller doesn’t hide from the fact that once again the Auckland side go into the ANZ Championship with one of the strongest squads on paper.

That hasn’t helped them in the last three seasons where they’ve failed to make the playoffs and Fuller accepts the pressure will be on this year to break the hoodoo.

“There’s always pressure and there’s no doubt we’ve got some real talent in our team,” says Fuller. “But it’s all very well having great talent and great personalities but it’s more about the team personality. Netball is a team sport and you depend on other players to be successful. Weak links in the ANZ Championship get exposed very quickly because there is nowhere to hide.”

Coach: Debbie Fuller

Website:

With five Silver Ferns in their squad the Mystics should have less weak links than most teams. Fuller is hoping the Silver Ferns win over Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi at the end of last year rubs off on her side.

northernmystics.co.nz

Tickets: See website for details

Contact:

“It was a monumental game for New Zealand netball.

I think it was a tipping point for the game and it’s an opportunity for New Zealand to really stride ahead now.

I hope the Mystics can learn from it and we can build on it. I want the Silver Ferns to come into our camp and use the ANZ Championship as a stepping stone to the world

The Trusts Stadium, 65-67 Central Park Drive, PO Box 21 241, Henderson, Auckland Telephone: 09 913 0830

18

TEMEPARA GEORGE

championships and ride that feeling and keep doing things right.”

WHO’S HOT: The Mystics added to what was arguably one of the strongest squads in the competition in the off-season with the signing of former Australian international, Megan Dehn and Silver Fern, Anna Scarlett.

Fuller is looking forward to the versatility both players offer at opposite ends of the court.

“Megan has played goal shoot and goal attack for the Steel but she has also played wing attack for Australia.

Anna usually plays at goal keep but in the Commonwealth Games final we saw her come out to wing defence.

Where they play will depend on their form and the opposition we’re playing and we’ll also be looking at what combinations work well with the girls we’ve got. “ TIP FOR THE TOP: “Well us,” says Fuller when asked to name the teams she thinks will make the playoffs. “The Magic have been the most consistent New Zealand team. The Swifts have been the most consistent Australian team. I would like to say another New Zealand team but the Vixens have recruited well this year. The Thunderbirds have lost some key players so possibly the Vixens.”

I TAKE MY

HAT OFF

TO THOSE WHO HAVE

QUIT MARIA TUTAIA SILVER FERN

FIND US AT facebook.com/notourfuture

HSC6674_MT_ANZFP_DEC2010.indd 1

1/14/11 8:39:25 AM

Love the ANZ Championship?

Get closer to your netball heroes than ever before in 2011 with AN Another thrilling ANZ Championship season kicks off in February as five Kiwi teams take on five Aussie teams in a shorter, more intense 12 week round robin battle towards the Finals Series.

The ANZ Championship Trophy will be held aloft by the top team in May. This year, ANZ is giving you the chance to enjoy the ultimate experience with your netball heroes. You could play host to all the stars from your region’s ANZ Championship team at your club, school, workplace or neighbourhood, where they’ll show off a few of their skills and even give you a chance to join them in a friendly game.

There’ll also be personal signings, photos, entertainment, a BBQ, prizes and more.

anznetball.com 20

It’s an incredible chance to get up close and personal with your heroes… and it’s really easy to enter.

All you have to do is visit anznetball.com, click through to New Zealand and register. The site has a new look for 2011 and contains all you need to take your ANZ Championship to a new level!

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As an added incentive, register on anznetball.com before the season starts

with ANZ and you’ll automatically be in the draw to win two Season Passes, giving you two seats to every ANZ Championship game in your region. Or, sign up during the season and you could win $1,000 cash.

Once you’re registered, log on to the website each week to get everything you need to feel connected to the ANZ Championship.

You could be cheering on your regional team with the weekly double pass prize draw, reading our journalists’ quality fortnightly sports commentary to get amongst life on and off the court, or getting into the ANZ Score Select tipping competition.

Simply choose which team will win each

game within that round and by how many points. Why not up the ante and take on your friends by using the ‘groups’ functionality!

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From free ANZ thundersticks to exclusive merchandise and awesome quarter time entertainment, the ANZ crew will be on hand to help you show your support from the sidelines in a big way.

ANZ. Bringing you closer to your heroes.

For more details and all terms and conditions please go to anznetball.com ANZ National Bank Limited

21

ANZ

Vixens keen to bounce back After missing out on the playoffs last year the 2009 champions are determined to be back in the mix this season.

RENAE HALLINAN BIANCA CHATFIELD

Team: MELBOURNE VIXENS

Region: Victoria Kate Beveridge Madison Browne Tegan Caldwell Bianca Chatfield Julie Corletto Renae Hallinan Kathleen Knott Sharelle McMahon Geva Mentor Chelsey Tregear Sarah Wall Micaela Wilson

HOME AND AWAY: Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg isn’t bothered by a draw that sees her team take on two of the top Australian sides in the opening rounds.

Beveridge, Madison Browne, Sarah Wall and Geva Mentor. Hoornweg is expecting big things from her new signings, particularly Beveridge and Mentor.

“What a great way to start. We have the Thunderbirds first up – last year’s winners – and then we play the Swifts. It’s tough but you’ve got to play everybody at some stage so why not play two of the best teams at the start and see how you’re going.”

“Kate is one of the best shooters in the nation and to have her in our team is a real coup for us. At the other end of the court, Geva Mentor is one of the best defenders in the world so that is two big additions to our squad.”

SIDELINE VIEW: The memories of last season are still fresh for Hoornweg. The defending champions suffered a mid-season injury crisis (losing experienced defenders Natasha Chokljat and Julie Corletto) and finished seventh on the table, missing out on the playoffs for the first time.

“It was hugely disappointing and given the players we had we would not have expected to finish there. But you take two of the starting seven out of any team in the league for four to six weeks – in fact Julie was out nearly the whole season – and that would dent any team’s performance.”

Coach: Julie Hoornweg

“If you took Natalie von Bertouch out of the Thunderbirds they probably wouldn’t have won the competition. If you took Irene van Dyk and Casey Williams out of the Magic it’s unlikely they would have made the final so some things you can’t prepare for.”

Website: melbournevixens. com.au

Tickets: See website or premier.ticketek.com.au

Not surprisingly, Hoornweg hopes her players can stay injury free this season.

Contact:

“We need to get our twelve players fit and healthy and playing netball. If we can do that we’ll have some really nice combinations. Our first aim is to get into the top four and you never know what can happen from there.”

Melbourne Vixens, PO Box 60, North Melbourne VIC 3051.

Telephone: 0061 3 9321 2222.

WHO’S HOT: The Vixens were busy in the off-season picking up a number of new players including Kate

22

SHARELLE McMAHON

“I worked with Geva when I was in England and she was in the U17 national squad. I brought her into the senior squad and took her under my wing so I’ve known her for many years. We’ve got two fantastic defenders already in Bianca Chatfield and Julie Corletto but Geva brings another dimension to our game, another option to throw on court.”

TIP FOR THE TOP: “I might have to go for five,” says Hoornweg when asked to name the sides she thinks will make the playoffs.

“Certainly the Swifts and Firebirds of the Australian sides.

The Thunderbirds will be good but I don’t think they’ll be the threat they were last year. Across the ditch, the Mystics, Magic and Steel are the ones to look out for. It’ll be interesting. They are three really strong teams so they could end up putting each other out of finals.”

It’s Netball on the Gold Coast!

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26/01/11 11:29 AM

Swifts set to soar again After falling at the playoff stage last season the Swifts are determined to go one better this year.

SUSAN PRATLEY KIM GREEN

HOME AND AWAY: The Swifts will have no time to ease their way into the competition with their opening games against the top three Australian sides, the Thunderbirds, Firebirds and the Vixens. Coach Julie Fitzgerald is philosophical about the luck of the draw.

“Every game in this competition is like a grand final. There are very few games that you would take easier than any other. I think every Australian side is up there and capable of beating any other side. As long as you’re playing an Australian side you know they are going to be up for it.”

SIDELINE VIEW: Considering the Swifts went through the regular season unbeaten last year, other teams should pay attention to Julie Fitzgerald’s comments about how they’re shaping up for 2011.

“I think we’re a bit more balanced this season. You always need to change things whether you’ve won or not. We’ve got to be mentally tougher. I think we did very well last year when things went our way but didn’t adjust well enough when they didn’t.”

Things went horribly wrong for the Swifts in the playoffs last year, suffering heavy defeats against the Thunderbirds and the Magic.

“There were a lot of reasons we didn’t perform as well as we could in the playoffs,” says Fitzgerald, “but it’s something we’ve been kicking ourselves about since the season finished and we can’t wait to get started again and erase all those bad memories.”

New signing Mo’onia Gerrard has been battling with an ankle injury but Fitzgerald is confident she’ll be ready to rip.

KIM GREEN

Team:

“She’ll be fine for the start of the season but we are taking it very slowly. We don’t want to push her at all. She is a New South Wales girl so we are just delighted she’s come home.”

NSW SWIFTS

WHO’S HOT: Apart from the big names like Gerrard and Sonia Mkoloma, it is some of the lesser lights that Fitzgerald is expecting big things from.

Ashleigh Brazill Rebecca Bulley Catherine Cox Carla Dziwoki Mo’onia Gerrard Kimberlee Green Sonia Mkoloma Susan Pratley Kimberley Smith Courtney Tairi Vanessa Ware Amorette Wild

“Vanessa Ware had an exceptional season for us last year and then did her knee in training before Round 12 and was out for the rest of the season. She’s trained really hard in the off-season and is keen to get back to that level. Ash Brazill gained a lot more experience in the off-season and she’s come back a much stronger and better player.”

TIP FOR THE TOP: Fitzgerald is very decisive when asked to name her top four teams. “Swifts and Vixens, Mystics and Magic,” she says. “In saying that how do you leave the Firebirds out of it? I think I’d want five.”

Region: New South Wales

Coach:

But one team catches her eye more than the rest.

Julie Fitzgerald

“I think the Mystics will be a much stronger team than we’ve seen before. They’ve picked up a couple of players that will make a big difference to them. The thought of Megan Dehn feeding Cathrine Latu or Maria Tutaia is a pretty awesome combination. I think they’ll take a big step up.”

Website: nswswifts.com.au

Tickets: See website for details

Contact: Netball NSW, PO Box 396, Lidcombe, NSW 1825 Telephone: 0061 2 9646 5000

25

Fever ready to rock The Perth based side may have one of the youngest sides in the competition but they fancy their chances this year.

CAITLIN BASSETT SHAE BOLTON

JOHANNAH CURRAN

Team: WEST COAST FEVER

HOME AND AWAY: Fever coach Jane Searle isn’t looking forward to clocking up more air miles this season.

And Searle is hoping they can be right up there come the end of the season.

Region:

“We have to travel twice as far as any other team in the competition and this year it’s a really difficult start for us.

We’ve a bye in round one and then three games in eight days including a trip to New Zealand. I scratch my head and wonder how we can get a draw like that. Having said that we’ve learned to travel well and once we get through those first three games it’s not so bad.”

“We’re aiming for the top. We want to make the finals. We just need to win the close ones this year and we’ll be there.”

Western Australia Ama Agbeze Caitlin Bassett Shae Bolton Courtney Bruce Johannah Curran Sarah Ebbott Susan Fuhrmann Andrea Gilmore Ashlee Howard Alicia Janz Josie Janz Leah Shoard

SIDELINE VIEW: Despite the distances her side has to travel, Searle is feeling confident ahead of the start of the season.

“I think we’ll be the wildcard in the draw and teams will be looking out for us. We’re strong across the court and we’ve got some exciting prospects which gives us the unknown factor. I think no one can take us lightly but I hope they do. I think we’ve earned a lot of respect over the years and teams know we are a force to be reckoned with now.”

Coach: Jane Searle

Website:

Despite finishing eighth on the table with four wins, Searle was reasonably happy with the progress her side made last year.

westcoastfever.com.au

Tickets: ticketmaster.com.au

“I thought we played better than the year before but we didn’t have as many wins. We were so close in a number of games but we didn’t get the wins on the board. But I think teams know now that the trip to Perth is going to be difficult. We’re competitive on the road as well and we feel we can take every team to the wire. We’ve beaten the Vixens, the Firebirds and the Swifts over the last few seasons so we’re right up there.”

Contact: Netball Western Australia, PO Box 930, Subiaco, WA 6904 Telephone: 0061 8 9380 3700

26

WHO’S HOT: Ama Agbeze was the big off-season signing by the Fever and Searle is looking for big things from the English international defender.

“Ama will be a great asset for us and we think she’ll work well with Susan Fuhrmann. We have Josie Janz returning from a knee injury and we’ve picked up her sister Alicia Janz who is a really exciting player. She’s very fast and very athletic. Ashlee Howard is a player I’ve coached in the past. She is a young player who I think has a lot of potential and is very accurate.”

TIP FOR THE TOP: “I think the Vixens have it on paper but it is pretty even across the board,” says Searle of the likely contenders for the playoffs. “You can never underestimate the Magic. They’re strong all over the court and they’ve got a bit more on the bench this year. I think we’re going to make the four and perhaps the Mystics or the Swifts.”

R E B M ME t a n io t a m r o f in t ticke & ip h s r e b m e Team m

m o c . p i h s n o i p m a h c z an

SEASON RETURNS 13 FEBRUARY ANZ Championship Official Netball Tipping Starts February 2011 anz-championship.com

Ashburton 702AM, Auckland 1332AM, Blenheim 98.5FM, Christchurch 1503AM, Dunedin 693AM, Greymouth 89.9FM, Hamilton 792AM, Invercargill 558AM, Kapiti 1377AM, Masterton 91.9FM, Napier 1125AM, Nelson 549AM, New Plymouth 774AM, Palmerston North 1089AM, Rotorua 1350AM, Taupo 90.4FM, Tauranga 1521AM, Timaru 1494AM, Upper Hutt 89.3FM, Wanganui 1062AM, Wellington 1503AM, Whangarei 729AM RADIOSPORT.CO.NZ

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1/25/2011 4:32:19 PM

Thunderbirds out to defend title The Adelaide Thunderbirds may have lost some big names but they won’t give up their crown without a fight.

CARLA BORREGO CO-CAPTAINS MO’ONIA GERRARD AND NATALIE VON BERTOUCH AFTER WINNING THE 2010 ANZ CHAMPIONSHIP

Team: HOME AND AWAY: The Thunderbirds will be put to the test early in the season with games against the Swifts and the Vixens in the opening couple of weeks. The only consolation for their coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson is that she feels every other team is in the same boat.

“I’ve looked at everyone’s draw and no one has got an easy draw. Ours is particularly tough with that opening but I think once the first whistle goes it will all even out and we’ll get used to more travel and less time to recover and it will be another great season.”

SIDELINE VIEW: Despite winning the title last year, not many experts expect the Thunderbirds to repeat this year.

That suits Woodlands-Thompson just fine.

“We’ll be going out there to try and win the championship again. We’ll need a little more patience to allow some of our inexperienced players to come together. We’re rebuilding our defence so that will take time but I’m confident we’ll have enough match play before the season starts to be competitive early on and maybe surprise a few people.”

The Thunderbirds have lost some big names including Mo’onia Gerrard, Geva Mentor and Kate Beveridge but Woodlands-Thompson is still happy with the players she has retained.

Nor without their Jamaican shooter Carla Borrego.

“I think Carla is the best shooter in the world. She was our ace last year. She gave us a genuine goal scoring threat under pressure and that’s what had been missing in previous years.”

WHO’S HOT: The Thunderbirds may have lost some big names but Woodlands-Thompson is more excited by the new players in her squad.

“We managed to get Bianca Giteau from the West Coast Fever. She’s a very gifted athlete and capable of anything.

We’ve also got Kara Richards who wasn’t required by the Vixens this year and she’s been training the house down.

She shows enormous potential.”

TIP FOR THE TOP: Woodlands-Thompson doesn’t hesitate when asked to pick her teams for the playoffs.

“I’ll go Thunderbirds of course. I think the Steel look a fantastic chance. The Swifts had such an outstanding year last year and they’ve got Mo’onia Gerrard so they’ve added to their talent pool. Fourth position is tough, you’ve got the Vixens, the Mystics and maybe even the Magic; it’s a toss up for that fourth spot.”

ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS

Region: South Australia Emily Beaton Georgia Beaton Erin Bell Carla Borrego Bianca Giteau Jasmine Keene Sharni Layton Madeleine Proud Kara Richards Kate Shimmin Joanna Sutton Natalie von Bertouch

Coach: Jane WoodlandsThompson

Website: adelaidethunderbirds. com.au

Spot Colour Version

Tickets:

PANTONE

See website for details

“We’ve only lost two of our starting seven. We’ve still got five starters from last year. Mo’onia is 30 next year, and her body, it is well documented, is a bit of a train wreck.

We were very lucky to get such great service from her for three years and we certainly wouldn’t have won the flag without her.”

Contact:

204C 1895C

PO Box 2082, Hilton Plaza, SA 5033 Telephone: 0061 8 8238 0500.

Process Version

205C

29

Black 6C White

C/M/Y/K 0/83/17/0 0/59/5/0 0/28/2/0 100/0/0/100 White

Firebirds focus on the four The ‘nearly’ team of the ANZ Championship, the Firebirds are desperate to break their run of just missing out on the playoffs.

NAT MEDHURST

ROMELDA AIKEN

ROMELDA AIKEN

HOME AND AWAY: The Firebirds are another team with what looks like a tough draw, with the Swifts and the Thunderbirds in their opening two games, but their coach Roselee Jencke isn’t concerned.

Team: QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS

Region:

“The draw is what it is. If you look at other teams’ draws there probably aren’t too many teams that are totally satisfied but you’ve just got to go with it. There are no excuses. I think every game is going to be tough.”

Queensland Candice Adams Romelda Aiken Laura Geitz Elissa Macleod Clare McMeniman Natalie Medhurst Lauren Nourse Chelsea Pitman Jacqui Russell Amy Steel Keirra Trompf Ameliaranne Wells

SIDELINE VIEW: The devastating floods in Queensland and Brisbane in January impacted on the Firebirds with one of their players forced to move out of her home.

It may have been difficult to focus on netball while the waters kept rising but the Firebirds are more determined than ever this year to make the playoffs after finishing fifth for the last three seasons.

“We want to win,” says Jencke, “just like everybody else in this competition. We’re not here to make up the numbers. I could say we want to make the four but ultimately we want to win the competition.”

Coach: Roselee Jencke

Despite just missing out on the playoffs again last year, there was no panic buying or selling by the Firebirds in the off-season.

Website: firebirds.net.au

Tickets:

“We made a couple of key changes and we went for some new players that I think will add value to the team.

I think we weren’t too far away from where we wanted to be last year. We had some really good performances and some really close losses. So I have total trust and belief in our squad that we can go one step further this year.”

See website for details

Contact: Netball Queensland, PO Box 50 Moorooka, QLD, 4105 Telephone: 0061 7 3848 6330

And for Jencke the secret is to start winning the close games.

30

“That was basically the difference last year. We lost a couple of games by one and two goals, I think our biggest losing margin was seven goals against the Vixens, so they were really close margins and if we can turn those types of games around we would have changed our position on the ladder very quickly.”

WHO’S HOT: The Firebirds are one of the most settled teams in this year’s competition and that is reflected in Jencke’s reluctance to single out any of her players for special mention.

“It always makes it easier when you retain your core group of players and leaders. We’ve retained eight of our most experienced players and we brought in just four new players so I’m really happy about that. We’ll have a better understanding of each others’ games and my requirements as a coach and what I expect from the players.”

TIP FOR THE TOP: The first team Jencke picks to make the playoffs is her own. After that she thinks the race for the playoffs will be a close one.

“There are some good teams out there. The Mystics have recruited well, the Vixens have recruited well, the Swifts have a strong lineup and the Steel have recruited well.

I think the Mystics would be the standout at this stage.”

In a perfect world, netball would always be on television.

Unfortunately there are other sports, that’s why we’re bringing you anznetball.com

Log onto our netball website and click ‘New Zealand’ to get connected to the ANZ Championship. You could win a money-can’t-buy opportunity to play host to your favourite netball heroes. Plus, when you play the Score Select tipping competition, you could be in to

win $1000 cash. Also, read our journalists’ fortnightly updates and get amongst life on and off the court, all from the comfort of your living room. So, now you can keep up with the ANZ Championship even when there are other sports on.

For full terms and conditions please go to anznetball.com. ANZ National Bank Limited.

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