The Mainland Tactix have teamed up with local gold medallists Sophie Pascoe and Tom Walsh in a bid to make a domestic finals debut - writes Ravinder Hunia
Tactix assistant coach and former Silver Fern Julie Seymour and head coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
As the 'Flames' in New Zealand's former domestic competition Canterbury were a force to be reckoned with making four grand final appearances, but once the Flames transformed into the Tactix in 2008 for the trans-Tasman format they could only manage sixth place at best.
Fast forward to 2017 the Tactix won two games from fifteen finishing at the bottom of the table. They proved their capability with a season ending win over the Northern Mystics but the overall result prompted a revamp to their 2018 pre-season strategy.
The franchise left no stone unturned training alongside local Commonwealth Games shot put gold medallist Tom Walsh at the gym and paralympic gold medallist swimmer Sophie Pascoe with coach Roly Crichton in the pool to not only gain a physical edge over their competition but a will to win.
"He (Crichton) has been taking our girls for some fitness with swimming once a week which has been amazing," says Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek
"Tight situations on court we can come through knowing we have done this extra work, Roly is really good at personally giving the girls gems of knowledge."
Tactix captain Jess Maclennan (nee Moulds) will make her Premiership debut since recovering from an ACL reconstruction last year.
In her fifth year with the club, she says the new 'golden' approach gives her hope that Canterbury will finally return to its historic winning ways.
"We train with Sophie most days in the gym surrounded by a champion, Tom Walsh as well, it's been tough and pushed us outside of our comfort zone." says Maclennan.
"I want to be part of the Tactix success and that is what has kept me there, knowing that we are doing the hard work."
Tactix captain Jess Maclennan contesting the ball in the former trans-Tasman competition Photo: Photosport Ltd 2016 www.photosport.nz
For the first time the Tactix are in abundance of star power with arguably the most competitive defensive end of the Premiership.
It will be a healthy scrap for court time as Maclennan returns to contend with Silver Ferns defender Temalisi Fakahokotau and former Silver Ferns and Southern Steel goal keeper Jane Watson.
In the shooters circle, former Australian Diamond Kate Beveridge makes her New Zealand debut after being snubbed from the West Coast Fever in favour of Jamaican international Jhaniele Fowler-Reid.
"A starting seven isn't jumping out at me right now because everyone is putting their hand up." says Delaney-Hoshek
"We are looking for growth, to put it all out there every game and being really passionate."
"We could be the team that could come through for our faithful fans that come back for us year after year."
- RNZ