Marianne Delaney-Hoshek, coach of the Tactix Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek has announced she will step down at the end of the ANZ Premiership netball season after seven years as head coach.
Having guided the Tactix through their most successful regular season ever, Delaney-Hoshek said she felt she was ready to retire her ANZ Premiership career which had spanned over 13 seasons, including roles as assistant coach at the Pulse and Tactix before taking on the head coach position in 2017.
"I feel like I have pretty much given everything to the role ...now it's time for me to step back and freshen up," Delaney-Hoshek said.
"I've still got goals with my coaching but first and foremost I am really excited about spending more time with my family."
The Tactix have been the form team of the league this year but Delaney-Hoshek is aware there is still a job to be done with four rounds remaining ahead of the finals series. The Christchurch-based side would desperately love to secure an elusive home grand final.
Delaney-Hoshek said making the announcement now meant the team could address it and move on and the franchise could start the recruitment process as soon as possible.
"We don't want this to be a distraction, and all understand we have some hard work ahead of us."
Marianne Delaney-Hoshek Coach of the Tactix and Jess Allan of the Tactix celebrate Photo: PHOTOSPORT
In the seven years she has been head coach, the team has made three finals series, including reaching grand finals in 2020 and 2021, and are on track to have a spot in the play-offs again this year.
Prior to this the Tactix had only won one or two games a season for a number of years.
"I feel I'm leaving the club in a good space," she said.
"I look at how far we've come, and it's been massive. We've navigated Covid and being liquidated, but I feel we've gone from strength to strength. It is so cool to see us filling up the stadium and for people to be proudly wearing the Tactix colours and merchandise.
"In terms of performance, we've got an amazing high-performance culture here and a desire to be better. I think seeing the development of the players and staff involved is something we can all be proud of."
Delaney-Hoshek's focus is on the remainder of the Tactix' league campaign. The Tactix are currently sitting at the top of the Premiership ladder and take on the Mystics in Christchurch on Sunday.
Tactix General Manager Kate Agnew acknowledged what Delaney-Hoshek had brought to the role.
"She has put her heart and soul into this team and club, often under challenging and unforgiving circumstances," Agnew said.
"Marianne has particular skill in creating and developing an amazing high-performance culture and environment that is fundamental to the success on and off the court which we have seen in recent seasons."
Agnew said the Tactix would begin the recruitment process for a head coach immediately.