Magic coach and five players re-signed for 2011
Press Release August 19, 2010

Significant gains made during this year’s competition were enough to fuel Noeline Taurua’s desire for another stint as Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic netball coach for the 2011 season.

The popular Taurua has guided Magic to the top four in all three ANZ Championship play-offs to date, including the grand finals in 2008 and this year, where they finished runner-up on both occasions.

There was further good news for the franchise with the retention of ``the big three’’ – Silver Ferns Irene van Dyk, Laura Langman and Casey Williams also re-signing with Magic for next year’s campaign.

Taurua’s reappointment received unanimous support from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Franchise Board.

``Noeline put a huge effort in this season and we are delighted that she wants to keep the momentum going,’’ Magic CEO Sheryl Dawson said.

``Noeline’s planning and attention to detail with the players has been first-rate throughout the season. She is an outstanding coach and she is the best person for the job.’’

Seemingly out of contention nearing the end of the regular season, Magic staged a thrilling run to this year’s grand final before falling short at the last hurdle. But development in key areas during the season left Taurua keen to remain at the helm and to continue that improvement, despite taking time out to mull over her decision.

``There’s a lot of things that have come out of this year that you don’t actually see on court….the internal, inner strength sort of stuff that has developed,’’ she said.

``In that respect this year has been totally different, where the extent of growth that’s happened within the team unit is something I haven’t experienced before. It was neat to be a part of and I want to have the opportunity to see if we can build on top of that foundation.’’

Taurua is delighted Langman, van Dyk and Williams, who are all close to 100 games for the franchise, are returning to be part of the 2011 team. Jodi Tod and Jess Tuki are also returning to be part of the line-up and discussions with Australian import Peta Scholz, who had her 2010 season cut shot by a serious knee injury, and a number of other players are well advanced.

“We are also taking time to watch some of this year’s players to see if they have grown from their experiences in the team in the upcoming Lion Foundation Netball Champs,” Taurua said.

``It is a demanding competition in all respects but we are making real progress as a team and I’m very happy to be at the helm of this team once again.’’

Thunderbirds too good for Magic in Grand Final
Producing a dominant effort, Adelaide Thunderbirds proved too good for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in winning the 2010 ANZ Championship grand final 52-42 in Adelaide on Sunday.

Putting the disappointment of losing last year’s final and a comprehensive loss to Magic three weeks ago behind them, Thunderbirds were deserved winners with a powerful outing.

Apart from the opening few minutes, Thunderbirds held sway. A relentless defensive effort and accurate finishing under the hoop from the home team had Magic under the pump for most of the match.

Magic could not overcome a slow start after they were out-gunned in the first quarter and a purposeful Thunderbirds, in front of 9200 home fans, who had no intention of letting them back in.

In the only really contentious position, the Thunderbirds opted for the more mobile Erin Bell at goal attack in their starting line-up while Magic stuck with their same successful seven of the previous three weeks.

A string of turnovers punctuated the opening minutes before the Thunderbirds reaped the rewards from a strong defensive presence. Prolific shooter Carla Borrego found her radar after a tentative start, a telling eight-goal unanswered burst powering the home team out to a handy advantage.

Thunderbirds defenders Sharni Layton, Mo’onia Gerrard and Geva Mentor exerted all sorts of pressure, picking up vital intercepts and leaving Magic shooters living off just scraps.

Nineteen attempts at goal by Thunderbirds compared to the Magic’s nine told the story of the first quarter as the home team headed into the first break with a decisive 15-8 lead.

A more cohesive defensive effort helped Magic contain the Thunderbirds on the resumption as the teams went goal-for-goal. Showing no signs of letting up, the home team continued to harass and were quick to pick up any soft or loose passes.

The Magic attackers were forced to work extra hard for everything with key shooter Irene van Dyk being well stitched up by Mentor. Stunned and unable to find many answers, the visitors slipped to 11 behind as Borrego and Bell showed slick work under the hoop for the Thunderbirds.

A late four-goal run hauled the Magic back into the contest as they went on to draw the second stanza but the Thunderbirds were still comfortably placed at 28-21 heading into the main break.

Inspired by some strong defensive efforts from Casey Williams, Magic made a positive start to the third quarter but it was short-lived. Struggling to hit the targets of shooters van Dyk and Jodi Brown, the feeders were often astray with their passing. The Thunderbirds defensive trio continued their smothering dominance with an outstanding showing.

Mentor’s long reach and jumping skills continued to thwart van Dyk. Enjoying a much greater volume of ball, midcourters Natalie von Bertouch and Emily Beaton excelled for the home team through court, feeding precision ball to the shooters as the Thunderbirds continued to pile on the goals.

Stretching out to a 12-goal advantage, Thunderbirds eventually settled for a healthy 39-29 scoreline at the last break.

Showing more flow on attack, Magic threw everything into a last gasp highly charged run to the line. Managing to narrow the gap to five, the visitors could not contain the rampant home team who were not about to let this one slip.

Grand final the perfect wake-up tonic
Press Release July 8, 2010

The excitement of their last road trip for Sunday’s ANZ Championship netball grand final against Adelaide Thunderbirds has dispelled any fears of travel weariness for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic.

Magic will cross the Tasman for the third time in a week tomorrow (Friday), happy to cop a hectic travel schedule on the back of a resurgent end to the season.

Seemingly out of playoffs contention four weeks ago, Magic put their seal on the drive to the grand final with a masterly win over the heavily favoured NSW Swifts in Newcastle last weekend. Losing finalists in 2008, the inaugural year of the trans-Tasman competition, Magic diced with danger after qualifying in third spot before booking a showdown with last year’s losing finalists.

Thunderbirds eased into the grand final with a crushing win over Swifts in the minor semifinal which also earned them a week off leading into the grand final.

``We celebrated what we did last weekend but were also very mindful that we have one more step to go and that’s where the focus has been,’’ Magic coach Noeline Taurua said.

``The players have pulled up physically and mentally tired because the turnaround has been quite fast for us but in saying that trainings this week have been at a real high intensity.

``We’ve still got a lot of momentum carried over from last week in regards to the excitement. But we are trying not to get ahead of ourselves and just working it day by day.’’

Veteran shooter Irene van Dyk is an obvious target for well-versed Thunderbirds defenders Geva Mentor and Mo’onia Gerrard after her majestic performance under the hoop for Magic last week.

She is key to Magic’s fortunes, as they chase an elusive first title for a New Zealand franchise in the third year of the competition.

``There will be some tweaks as far as Irene is concerned because their defence do things differently,’’ Taurua said. ``I assume there will be a mix-up of double marking and hard one-on-one. Mentor and Gerrard are very good at mixing that up and knowing when to make the changes. They are a very good defensive combination.’’

With the attack line of van Dyk, Jodi Brown, Frances Solia and Laura Langman in sparkling form last week, Taurua believes there is room for another step-up.

``There’s still soft turnovers happening and they are unnecessary,’’ she said.

``It’s that final execution of the ball where it needs to be purposeful and crisp and if there’s nothing on going forward, we reset and go again. Everything needs to be up tempo and done with high energy and error-free for 60 minutes.’’

Well known for their abrasive style, Thunderbirds will not take a backward step. Also in the back of their minds will be the memory of a comprehensive loss to Magic three weeks ago in Rotorua.

Influential midcourter Natalie von Bertouch and athletic Jamaican shooter Carla Borrego are important cogs for the home team while rising wing defence Sharni Layton has also impressed in her debut season.

Something of an unsung hero, defender Jodi Tod, unable to train between matches because of an ongoing calf injury, will go through her pre-match ritual on Saturday to determine her fitness.

``She’s done really well, not just physically but coping mentally with the preparation that needs to go in week-by-week when you haven’t actually trained for four weeks in a row. That is pretty big and shows real character,’’ Taurua said.


Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Magic book spot in final
Continuing their stellar run, Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic booked their spot in next week’s ANZ Championship grand final after toppling minor premiers NSW Swifts 54-49 in Newcastle on Sunday.

Notching their fourth win on the trot, Magic will meet Adelaide Thunderbirds on Sunday in Adelaide after dominating the preliminary final against Swifts.

Built on the back of an inspiring effort from evergreen shooter Irene van Dyk, who shot 44 goals from 45 attempts, the vision and feeding of her sidekick Jodi Brown and a telling defensive effort, Magic shattered the Swifts dream season.

Claiming the minor premiership with a record unbeaten 13-game winning streak through the regular season, Swifts could not reproduce the same form in the playoffs as they fell foul to both the Thunderbirds and Magic in successive weeks.

Hitting form at just the right time, Magic notched just the second win in 41 outings by New Zealand teams in Australia over the three years of the competition. They also achieved the only other win, recorded against the Fever last year.

In a slight surprise, Kristy Durheim got the nod ahead of Courtney Tairi at wing attack for the Swifts while the rest of their make-up for today’s vital clash was predictable. In the wars lately, captain Catherine Cox fronted with a heavily bandaged left thigh and bruising on her face due to last week’s feisty clash with Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Magic also presented predictably with defender Jodi Tod taking her place despite problems with an on-going calf injury.

Cox and her shooting partner Susan Pratley got away to a comfortable start as the Swifts forged an early lead before Magic wound up their response.

With goal attack Brown used predominantly as a feeder, van Dyk found herself on the end of a quality delivery of service under the hoop. Showing an immaculate pair of hands and her usual accuracy, the rangy shooter helped level up the scores as the teams went goal-for-goal.

Wing defence Kimberley Smith was a strong presence in disrupting Magic ball but missed goals by the Swifts helped the visitors head into the first break with a narrow 12-11 lead.

Letting the ball goal with confidence on attack, it was all the Magic on the resumption. Swifts were able to stay with them briefly before the visitors took off.

Brown continued her playmaking role to great effect and in tandem with Laura Langman sent precision on its way in to the circle. Van Dyk was in dominating form, her sharp movement and positioning giving threatening defender Sonia Mkoloma no chance as she went on to record a 100 percent shooting return for the half.
At the other end of the court, Magic’s defensive trio of Casey Williams, Tod and England import Jade Clark made life difficult for the Swifts attackers. Hunting and working in unison, their timely ability to snare intercept and rebound ball helped the visitors march out an imposing 29-20 lead at halftime.

Inspired by some slick play from Cox, the Swifts upped the tempo. With Tairi replacing Durheim, the home team engineered better quality ball into the circle with Cox lifting her accuracy rate.

With the Swifts showing flashes of their best and narrowing the gap to six goals, it also meant a lift in the physical intensity with plenty of niggle happening between the two sides. However the visitors held strong, repelling the Swifts surge to finish the stanza in style.

Slick interplay through court and the unwavering accuracy of van Dyk -- with a perfect 35 shots from 35 attempts -- helped Magic to stretch out to a 10-goal margin when they led 42-32 at the last break.

The Swifts threw everything into a frantic and torrid run home, making the odd inroad into Magic’s lead but it proved a bridge too far as the minor premiers season ended in despair.

All or nothing for Magic against Swifts
Press Release July 1, 2010

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic face a third successive sudden-death clash – but by far their toughest – in Sunday’s ANZ Championship netball preliminary final against NSW Swifts.

Playing every game as if it’s been their last has worked a treat for Magic in their recent must-win outings. Adding some polish to their talent, Magic have gained momentum in a late season surge to book their place in the top three but face a daunting challenge to get over the next hurdle.

The finalists of the inaugural 2008 competition come into this match on the back of contrasting form. Magic continued their improved form with a comfortable win over Southern Steel while the seemingly untouchable Swifts had their record 13-game unbeaten streak shattered.

The minor premiers imploded against the well-drilled Adelaide Thunderbirds, slumping to a 14-goal loss and their worst outing of the season.

It is unlikely Swifts could conjure up a second similar performance and will be looking to rebound in front of a full house in Newcastle.

At stake is a place in the following week’s grand final against Thunderbirds. While recovery time and travel were cause for some concern, Magic coach Noeline Taurua said it was now a situation of having no regrets.

England import Jade Clarke’s first experience in the trans-Tasman competition coincided with Magic’s 17-goal flogging when the two teams met four weeks ago but a lot has happened since then.

``Like all losses, we learnt a lot from our last encounter against them and what we need to do better. Also, what happens in playoffs is usually totally different from what’s gone before,’’ Taurua said.

``Playoffs bring a different mentality, you’ve got to put everything out on court and not be left with any what ifs.

``That’s all we can ask of ourselves…..enjoy the moment of being in finals contention and leave everything we’ve got out on that court.’’

In the weeks since the recruitment of Clarke, Magic’s defence line has gone from strength to strength and the rapport between the back three has continued to impress.

It’s been a hectic schedule for Clarke, who in between Magic trainings has gone back and forth across the Tasman to join her England team-mates in camp in Australia.

``She’s perfect, just so easy to work with,’’ Taurua said of the gritty wing defence.

``She’s a hard worker, hard trainer, she doesn’t say much….and you forget that she is there sometimes but she has been great for us.’’

The only crack in the defensive façade is an ongoing calf injury carried by Jodi Tod. The under-rated Tod has been in stellar form recently despite a lack of mobility and the prospect of the calf muscle blowing out completely at any time.

Swifts captain Catherine Cox has also been in the wars after being forced from the court with a fractured nose and badly bruised thigh against the Thunderbirds but will take her place against Magic.

``She’s the backbone in that team and leads from the front,’’ Taurua said. ``She is a huge influence and their performance often rides with her so she’d definitely want to be playing.

``Despite what happened last week, it’s an Australian team and they will come out firing against us. There were some below par performances from what they’re capable so I think they will come out double determined…..they will be harder, faster, tighter and more purposeful.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Magic stay alive in race to final
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic will line up in their third successive preliminary final after subduing a spirited Southern Steel 50-42 in the all-Kiwi ANZ Championship semifinal in Auckland on Monday.

In a match that ebbed and flowed throughout, it was the Magic who were better equipped to absorb the pressure. They also proved they had the superior strike power to stamp their authority when it counted in the sudden-death playoff.

Consigning the Steel to their last game of an impressive season, the Magic will meet NSW Swifts in Newcastle on Sunday, in the preliminary final. The winner of that match will take their place in the final against Adelaide Thunderbirds a week later.

There were no surprises in the respective starting line-ups with both coaches opting for their tried and true of recent weeks.

It was a composed and confident start by the Magic, five unanswered goals early on setting the platform. There were good signs from the Magic from the first whistle as shooters Jodi Brown and Irene van Dyk clicked in tandem under the hoop. Precision play between the pair and 100 percent shooting accuracy helped the Magic leap out to a handy advantage.

At the other end of the court, the Magic’s defence line put the squeeze on their attacking opponents, who struggled for options. Showing a return to her best form, Casey Williams dominated towering shooter Daneka Wipiiti while a grafting Jodi Tod did the spoiling work on the short ball and England import Jade Clarke showed her growing importance to the team with a strong presence.

It was a dominant Magic who rolled into the first break well in control at 16-8.

The complexion changed dramatically on the resumption, the Steel blasting out of the blocks to score eight goals on the trot as they quickly narrowed the gap back to one.
Stiffer defence from the well-performed Leana de Bruin and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit cut down the supply to van Dyk and Brown while Steel shooters Wipiiti and Megan Dehn lifted their rate at the other end.

Following the lopsided first spell, the southerners certainly had the better of the second stanza, the attempts at goal being even after 30 minutes of play as the Magic went to the main break with a much reduced lead of 24-21.

Looking to add more movement to her front line, Steel coach Robyn Broughton introduced Julianna Naoupu, who has made her mark as a strong impact player this season, for Wipiiti. The move had the desired effect with a lift in movement and creativity coming on attack as the southerners scored four straight goals to level the scores.

A tight, absorbing and tense struggle ensued as the teams went toe-to-toe, the Magic faltering slightly as the Steel looked to have the momentum.

That was short-lived in an up-and-down quarter. A late surge on the back of some slick delivery to van Dyk under the hoop and the exploits of a determined defence line helped the Magic out to a 38-32 lead at the last break.

The Magic put their stamp on a solid effort to shut down any efforts of a Steel comeback in the run home. The southerners ran out of ideas against the ever-reliable efforts of Magic’s defensive trio while the movement of van Dyk and Brown prevailed at the other end.

Captain Dehn was an impressive performer for the losers, putting in a huge workload and converting 24 of her 25 attempts at goal.

Close call in all-NZ match-up
Press Release June 24, 2010

Netball coaching legend Lois Muir believes the outcome of Monday’s ANZ Championship minor semifinal between Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic and Southern Steel is too close to call.

Despite being a good southern woman, the Dunedin-based Muir is hedging her bets.

She wasn’t surprised by the teams’ results heading into the sudden-death clash in Auckland after the pair clinched third and fourth spots respectively and is unsure whether that will have much of a bearing. The Magic rediscovered their touch with an impressive outing against Adelaide Thunderbirds while Steel were comprehensively outplayed by NSW Swifts.

``Magic have just been waiting to put things together and the Swifts have been playing really well so the Steel were always going to be up against it to knock them off,’’ she said.

``I think it will be hard-fought. Both teams have been a little bit up and down in their games and I know I’m sitting on the fence but it really just comes down to who plays well on the day.

``When you start playing well and believe in yourself, the ball drops for you. Neither team has got anything to lose and I think it’s great New Zealand’s got two teams in the semifinals. It’s just a pity they have to play off against each other.’’

Muir, who won two world championship titles during her 15 years as New Zealand coach, thought the contrasting styles would produce an absorbing match.

``Magic are marvellous when they have the confidence to let the ball go and are very, very hard to beat but other teams have been managing to break their momentum through court and Steel will try and do that,’’ she said. ``Their game is like that and if Steel are able to slow the game down, Magic will find it harder.

``Confidence is the thing and some of the players will need to be a little bit more resourceful. I think the New Zealand teams have become a little bit habitual in their play and keep doing the same thing all the time.’’

The teams have a win apiece from their two meetings this year and Magic coach Noeline Taurua believes recent results will count for little in the all-important third match-up.

``I believe once you hit the playoffs you go back to a clean slate…..it’s a whole new ball game, a whole new stage of the competition,’’ she said. ``You have been guaranteed one more game, so you want it to be the best game you can possibly put out there, irrelevant of what happened in your last game and whether you won or lost.

``What’s happened in the past is the past. It’s really all going to come down to who can keep possession of the ball under pressure and shoot it through the hoop.’’

While both teams have had their ups and downs this season, the manner of Magic’s win against Thunderbirds has lifted confidence levels.

``The big step we’ve taken from the Thunderbirds game is that we do have faith in each other and we can demonstrate that out on court,’’ Taurua said.

``Confidence comes and it can go really fast as well. Even though it could have been our last game, it was bigger for us as a team than the two points.’’

Still troubled by a calf injury, defender Jodi Tod will undergo a fitness test on Sunday to assess her availability.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Catch A Bus to the Semi in Auckland
The ideal way for fans to get to Vector Arena and be part of the semi final action Monday June 28 is to catch one of the buses leaving from Rotorua, Tauranga or Hamilton.

Great seats, no parking hassles, up and back to the match in comfort!!


Check the file attached and book the bus today by printing and sending your booking as directed.

Booking Sheet for Bus

Magic bounce back to cement playoffs spot
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic cemented their place in the ANZ Championship playoffs with a telling 53-44 win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Rotorua on Saturday.

Responding to recent criticism in the best possible fashion, the Magic saved their best to when it mattered most in the must-win clash against the well-performed Thunderbirds.

With the Thunderbirds having already cemented a top-two spot, the Magic turned around their form with a dominant outing. There was improvement across all sectors of the court with each player lifting their performance as they went on to outplay the visitors.

The Magic had just three more attempts at goal than the Thunderbirds but greater accuracy from Irene van Dyk and Jodi Brown, in the end, proved crucial.

Both teams presented with their top line-ups as the game got away to a cracking start. There was no let-up through an intense, abrasive and combative opening stanza as one team fought for survival and the other looked to consolidate ahead of the finals.

The defensive pressure from both sides was enormous and getting the ball through court proved a huge mission at times.

The pressure caused cracks, the Magic being the main benefactors through the first quarter where they held a 14-11 lead. Showing more flow and quick release of the ball, the home team were confident on attack with the ever-reliable van Dyk, proving a rock under the hoop despite the constant physical attention.

The gritty determination of import Jade Clarke, in tandem with an inspiring effort from captain Laura Langman, created turnover ball and the early impetus for the Magic.

Both in-circle defensive combinations applied big pressure but it was Casey Williams and Jodi Tod, who created chinks as Thunderbirds’ shooters Carla Borrego and Kate Beveridge faded under the pressure. There were glimpses of the visitors’ prowess with their quick transition through court on the back of turnovers where wing defence Sharni Layton was a shining light.

The Magic moved up a cog with an explosive second quarter. As the intensity and physicality lifted, so did the home team’s resolve. On the back of four straight goals, the Magic pushed out to a five-goal lead before turning that into 10 by halftime.

Williams and Tod were an inspiring presence against the well-versed Borrego and Beveridge, picking up a host of intercept and rebound ball as the visiting shooters were left struggling for options.

Growing in confidence on attack, the ball was slick and accurate in its progress through court with Brown and van Dyk providing the finishing to stretch the halftime score out to 29-19 as the Thunderbirds also struggled against a heavy penalty count.

Four positional changes, including the benching of Borrego, the competition’s most prolific shooter, helped steady the Thunderbirds ship in the third stanza. After returning just a 25 percent success rate in the first half, Beveridge looked far more comfortable at goalshoot and responded accordingly.

With Beveridge potting the ball from all angles and defenders Geva Mentor and Mo’onia Gerrard exerting unrelenting pressure on the Magic shooters, the Thunderbirds pulled out all the stops to get themselves back into contention.

It did result in the visitors having the better of the third stanza as the Magic became tentative and coughed up turnover ball. The visitors bridged the gaps slightly but the Magic still held a 40-33 advantage heading down the home straight.

The Magic regained their assertive attitude in the final quarter with a strong burst to install their healthy lead before more Thunderbirds changes made for a lively final few minutes.

Magic look to repay coach
Press Release June 17, 2010

There’s nothing Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic would like more than to deliver their coach an ANZ Championship netball win against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Rotorua, on Saturday.

While the significance of winning looms large in regard to the Magic’s playoff hopes, recent newspaper criticism of their popular coach Noeline Taurua has galvanised the tight-knit team. The players believe she has been unfairly targeted and are keen to reinforce their support with a much-needed win.

In a reflection of their mixed season, Magic are precariously placed in fourth position coming into the round. A win against the second-placed Thunderbirds in the final round of the regular season would cement them a playoffs spot.

Defender Casey Williams said in most instances the misinformation that circulates in the public domain was part and parcel of the job but she is particularly annoyed by the personal attack on Taurua’s credibility

``One of the reasons why we’ve all hung around is because of her,’’ the Silver Ferns captain said. ``She’s a great coach and a great person off the court as well.

``Often the coach gets bagged when things go wrong. But mostly it’s not their fault because we’re the ones actually out on the court doing the job. We support her all the way and this would definitely be a nice one to win for her.’’

Saturday’s clash is a last throw of the dice for Magic to determine their own destiny but it will be far from easy.

With impressive imports Geva Mentor and Carla Borrego propping up each end, the Thunderbirds have a host of talent across the court including abrasive defender Mo’onia Gerrard and classy midcourter Natalie von Bertouch. The quartet rarely turns in a poor performance and Jamaican shooting sensation Borrego has proved one of the finds of the season.

The Thunderbirds have developed a winning habit after a slow start to the season and head to Rotorua with five wins on the trot under their belt.

``It’s massive and our biggest game of the season because we’ve got to win it,’’ Williams said. ``They do have weaknesses we would like to exploit but obviously there are not many, so we will have to be on the button.

``We will approach it preparation-wise the same as usual but there’s bound to be a bit more hype and pressure to go with it.’’

Williams described the Magic’s season as being ``up and down’’.

``We have a good team unity and have some great passages of play…..it’s not like we are going out there trying to lose, we are trying to win and sometimes it just doesn’t happen,’’ she said.

Taurua was pleased with the intensity shown at training during the week and is confident of a good showing.

``The Thunderbirds are a very good side, there are no illusions there,’’ she said. ``But if we can knock out the little errors and set a pattern of consistency, we will be competitive.’’

A fitness test on Saturday morning will determine if defender Jodi Tod has recovered sufficiently from a calf injury to take her place on court.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

TEAM THANKS FANTASTIC FANS
To all those First Windows Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Supporters who travelled to Napier by bus to cheer us on!

We would like to send you all a huge thank you! We all think it was absolutely fantastic that you made the trek to the Hawkes Bay to put your voices behind us and help us get over the line. You were all highly visible in the crowd dressed in your red, yellow & black and your cheering and chanting drowned out the Pulse supporters cheers along with their “beating pulse”. Having you all there really made it feel like we were at home playing in front of our home crowd.

We’re all looking forward to seeing you and hearing you at the Events Centre in Rotorua on Saturday!

Luv from
Your Magic Team

PS Thank you Eileen for the yummy biscuits and cake you gave us for the bus trip home. You know how much we love your baking 

Late rally gets Magic home
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic kept their playoff hopes alive with a battling 58-52 win over the Central Pulse in ANZ Championship action in Napier on Saturday.

Under siege during the week and with less than a vintage outing, the Magic were pushed all the way by a plucky Pulse team who continue to show improvement.

On the back of an outstanding contribution from Irene van Dyk, who converted 42 goals from 43 attempts for a 98 percent success rate, the Magic were finally able to pull ahead in the final quarter after a tight struggle.

The lightly-used Jamilah Gupwell got her second start of the season, at goal shoot, to give the Pulse a mobile attack line while defender Rachael Rasmussen, drafted into the side for the rest of the season, moved into goalkeeper against van Dyk.

Struggling with their links on attack in recent weeks, Tanya Lund was given the nod at goal attack ahead of Jodi Brown as the Magic looked to resurrect their flow on attack.

With a calf injury ruling Jodi Tod out of today’s action, there was also another enforced change for the visitor’s much-talked about defence line. Kahurangi Waititi took up the goalkeeper’s bib, Casey Williams slotted into goal defence and England replacement Jade Clarke lined up at wing defence in her second outing for the Magic.

The game started at a fast clip as the teams went goal-for-goal in a positive and attractive opening. Showing great timing on attack, Gupwell and Paula Griffin kept the Pulse on the front foot with their astute and accurate play.

Strong flow was matched by steady patience when required by the ever-improving Pulse while the Magic continued to be blighted by a high turnover rate as they looked to settle their new combinations. It was the Pulse who just kept their noses in front to lead 13-12 at the first break.

Showing a big improvement in their second phase play helped the Magic deliver more quality ball into the hands of van Dyk as the visitors went on a seven-goal scoring spree early on. Stretching out to a six-goal margin, the Magic looked set to take off but were hampered by inconsistent passages and a dogged Pulse team.

Both teams had their moments, enjoying little surges with neither able to assert any dominance. Van Dyk proved a dominant factor under the hoop for the Magic but the Pulse kept them well within sight as they battled back into contention.

By the halftime break, the Magic’s lead had been whittled back to two as the visitor’s held a tender 26-24 lead.

Brown was introduced into the action for the second half to bolster the Magic’s fortunes but again they were hampered by inconsistency and messy passages as they continued to gift possession away.

The Pulse were steady and efficient through court with Griffin getting through a big work load while Katrina Grant was an influential figure on defence. The home team had the game all tied up before the Magic recovered to take a 42-40 lead into the last break.

The Pulse frittered away numerous opportunities in a physical final stanza to give the Magic some breathing space. When it counted, the big names of van Dyk, Laura Langman and Williams shouldered the responsibility in helping the Magic pull away to a zone of relative comfort.

Survival role for Magic against Pulse
Press Release June 10, 2010

With survival uppermost in their minds, it’s back to basics for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in Saturday’s must-win ANZ Championship netball clash against the Central Pulse in Napier.

Sliding to fourth on the table after three successive losses and with several other teams nipping at their heels in the race to a top four spot, this weekend looms as the most important of the Magic’s season.

A 17-goal drubbing by the well-drilled and unbeaten NSW Swifts in their latest outing has left plenty of opportunity for reflection in a downcast Magic camp.

``We have really been looking at ourselves as a team and as individuals,’’ hard-working defender Jodi Tod said. ``Every one of us is having to look in the mirror and say, `am I doing what I need too for the team’?

``Against the Firebirds we lost by one so we were thinking we were on the way back up. But following that up with a defeat by 17 against the Swifts has made everybody look at things that little bit harder.

``We’ve looked hard at our team structure on attack and what we need to do to score the ball.’’

With the contest for fourth place likely to come down to goal percentages, there has been an added incentive for teams to score as many goals as possible. But that is furthest from the Magic’s mindset, their sole focus being on getting the game plan right. If that happens, the rest should follow.

``Sometimes in the past when we’ve played the numbers game and looked at scoring a lot, we have ended coming up with a very small margin,’’ Tod said. ``Your whole focus changes so at the moment it’s going for the two points and for a good game that’s going to lift our spirits heading into the next round.

``No 1 is that we need the two points and we need to get the two points well by going back to our game and getting those understandings back out on court.’’

A calf injury suffered in the second quarter against the Swifts has ruled Tod out for this weekend, continuing a disruptive season for the Magic’s defence line. Having just replaced Peta Scholz, who was sidelined for the season five weeks ago, with England international Jade Clarke, the latest injury could not have come at a worse time.

Options from the bench have been stretched in recent weeks with Tanya Lund just coming back to fitness after a bout of pleurisy and then lasting a couple of minutes against the Swifts before suffering an accidental gash to the head.

However, the acquisition of Clarke is timely, with the midcourter putting in a strong performance in her first outing for the Magic against the Swifts. Getting her hand to a lot of ball, Clarke was impressive on attack through court and tenacious in partnering Laura Langman on defence.

``She had a great game at wing defence,’’ Tod said of Clarke, who arrived just 36 hours before the match.

``She really fitted in well after just having that one Monday morning run with us and that was just the start of what she can bring for the rest of our season.’’

Saturday’s match-up shapes as a lively encounter, where historically the Pulse have given the Magic a run for their money and on occasion kept the margin closer than expected.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Magic left fighting for survival
Slumping 60-43 to the NSW Swifts consigned the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic to a third successive ANZ Championship loss in Sydney, on Monday night.

Struggling to make any impact against the unbeaten Swifts, the result has left the Magic in a precarious position with just two rounds of the regular season left.

The Magic have a lot to play for in the next two weeks with a third successive playoffs spot on the line after they were comprehensively outplayed in Sydney.

Called in last week to replace the injured Peta Scholz and barely off the plane, England international Jade Clarke was straight into action in an otherwise predictable line-up for the Magic.

A troubled week for the Swifts during which they lost wing attack Vanessa Ware to the fifth major knee injury (ruptured cruciate ligament) of the season did little to deter the home team. With Courtney Tairi taking her place in the attack line, the Swifts barely missed a beat.

Finding their rhythm on the back of slick through court play, the Swifts gradually built their momentum. Veteran captain Catherine Cox and her shooting partner Susan Pratley were on song from the outset. The connection and instinctive play between the pair was to the fore in spades tonight.

A cracking pace was set early on with the teams going goal for goal before the Swifts made their move and were not seriously challenged from that point.

At the other end of the court, the Swifts much-vaunted defensive combination of Sonia Mkoloma and Rebecca Bulley put the squeeze on the Magic’s attacking options. Dining off the extra turnover ball, the home team headed to the first break with a 17-13 lead.

The Magic had no answer to the Swifts clinical efficiency during a disastrous second quarter. Superior strength across the court, patience and a low turnover rate had the Swifts stretching their lead at will.

Cox was at her vintage best, Mkoloma was given plenty of leeway by the umpires when frequently able to block Irene van Dyk and Jodi Brown’s shots from close range.

Clarke was the one shining light during a disappointing quarter after flying halfway around the world for her first game with the Magic.

Backing up well through court and creating turnovers with her dogged defence, Clarke had a tough introduction after the Swifts swept through court at will on attack while restricting the Magic to just eight goals during this stanza. Too many turnovers, a lack of options and poor decision-making from the Magic helped the Swifts to a 34-21 halftime lead.

Wholesale changes after the break which involved van Dyk and Brown swapping roles, Casey Williams going to goal defence and Kahurangi Waititi coming off the bench, paved the way for the Magic’s best passage of the match.

Showing more thrust through court, better finishing and extra starch on defence, the Magic competed on almost levels terms through the third quarter but by this stage the game was effectively over. Swifts centre Kim Green was all over the court in an impressive outing as the Swifts continued their mastery to lead 50-34 at three-quarter time.

The score ballooned out further in a scrappy run home as both teams lost their structure but there was no doubt about the class of the Swifts.

England international to join Magic
Press Release June 4, 2010

England international Jade Clarke will replace injured import Peta Scholz in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic team for the ANZ Championship netball competition.

Since the season-ending injury suffered by Scholz four weeks ago, Magic coach Noeline Taurua has taken her time to assess the qualities in her own squad as well as looking further afield before settling on Clarke, a specialist wing defence/centre.

Clarke, 26, has been capped 49 times for England since making her international debut in 2002.

Knocked by successive losses in the last two rounds, Magic will meet up with Clarke in Sydney this weekend where they are headed for Monday’s clash against the unbeaten NSW Swifts. She will then travel back to New Zealand with the team.

``I am very excited by what she brings which is another option to our playing seven,’’ Taurua said.

``She has the experience of playing at international level and with that comes the ability to maintain intensity which is huge for where we are tracking at this stage.’’

Taurua is mindful of there being an element of the unknown in bringing in a player from another country mid-season and how they will adapt.

``She’s not going to be the saviour, she’s just one person…..a new person coming into our team environment,’’ Taurua said.

``She is coming from a different netball climate and that adds to the variables. We just have to make it a comfortable and easy transition for her. She just needs to come and play and she’s definitely in that mode.’’

The addition of Clarke has received official approval from Netball New Zealand.

“Netball New Zealand has approved Magic’s request for English import Jade Clarke on the basis of her being a ‘like for like’ replacement for the injured Australian import Peta Scholz and has approved it under the same criteria,” Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Raelene Castle said.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Table-toppling assignment for Magic
Press Release June 3, 2010

With a red-hot NSW Swifts lying in wait, Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic face a tough ask as they look to rebound their way back into ANZ Championship netball playoff form.

Rocked by successive losses to Southern Steel and Queensland Firebirds, the predicament has become more tenuous for the Magic on their away trip to Sydney for Monday’s crucial outing.

Battling to produce consistency on a regular basis, the Magic’s next hurdle against the unbeaten Swifts, who are chasing a record-equaling 11th successive win in the competition, is daunting.

``We’ve got everything to play for and we just have to keep plugging away,’’ Magic coach Noeline Taurua said.

``This year is going to be the same as the last two, where apart from the Swifts the make-up of the top four will come from the last two rounds of the regular competition.

``It is so close and it’s coming down to a real dog fight but all you can control is what you can put out on court.’’

The addition of England defender Sonia Mkoloma has helped return the Swifts’ form to the heights of 2008, when they went on to win the inaugural title.

The Swifts have experienced some close matches but invariably when in sticky situations, a composed attitude has pulled them through. A click above other teams this season they have regularly shown off their posse of match-winners, sprinkled liberally throughout the court, and their ability to dictate the tempo.

``They will definitely go in as favourites and they deserve that. They’re playing excellent netball right throughout the court……..they’re very confident, very on the ball and just sharp,’’ Taurua said.

``We’re third on the table, so it’s not all doom and gloom. At least we’re in the mix and not down below trying to fight our way up.

``For our mindset, we’ve got to keep that in perspective and to keep ourselves upbeat.

``It’s going to be a good game. I’m looking forward to it and it just gives us another opportunity to get out there and get our product better than what it was last week.

``That’s all you can do, just get out there, play a good game, be passionate, put a lot of heart out there and whatever happens, happens.’’

Key to the Magic’s ability to remain competitive is getting more ball than has been happening recently into the hands of shooters Irene van Dyk and Jodi Brown.

Since the loss of Australian import Peta Scholz to injury four weeks ago, Taurua’s defensive line has come under close scrutiny. She has dismissed the critics, saying that defensively the statistics have stacked up well in the recent losses.

``In both our losses we were down by six and seven goals more than once and were able to get that ball back in very quick time, so it doesn’t make sense,’’ she said.

``If our defence weren’t getting ball back, we would be losing those games by 20 goals.

``Against quality teams we are able to come back. In both games we demonstrated that, so we have something there defensively. It’s just when we get ball in hand, we’ve got to treasure it more than what we currently do.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Magic lose thriller
A late charge came up just short for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic who were pipped 55-54 by the Queensland Firebirds in ANZ Championship netball action in Rotorua on Monday night.

Forced to play catch-up for the entire match after a slow start, the Magic’s season is now looking a little shaky after a second straight loss has seen them slip to third on the table.

The win has reignited the Firebirds season, where they have moved from seventh to fifth and with the prospect of a friendly draw ahead while the Magic have a tough road home in the regular season.

Still struggling to find their right defensive combination after the loss of Peta Scholz, it was a better effort from the Magic tonight. But again, it was a mixed bag and highlighted by a lack of consolidation when on a roll.

Goal attack Natalie Medhurst was a pivotal figure for the Firebirds with her control and ability to set up potent shooter Romelda Aiken.

While the Firebirds presented with a predictable line-up, it was a different story for the Magic. Taking a big punt, coach Noeline Taurua opted for shooter-turned-defender Jess Tuki to make her first start at goal defence.

Both teams made measured starts as the teams level-pegged. However, it was the home team who struck trouble initially, as they became bogged down through the midcourt which was not helped by some errant passing.

The Firebirds were able to thread their way through court with relative ease, the towering figure of 1.96m Aiken often found in prime position under the hoop.

The visitors made the most of their opportunities against a stuttering Magic to take a 19-14 lead into the first break.

Wholesale changes had immediate impact after the Magic slipped to a seven-goal deficit within minutes of the resumption. Tuki’s role was short-lived as Jodi Tod shifted across court, the little-played Elias Shadrock came off the bench into wing defence and shooters Irene van Dyk and Jodi Brown swapped roles.

Enthusiasm levels lifted, producing more drive and impetus from the Magic as they reeled back the deficit with seven unanswered goals to tie the scores midway through the stanza.

Throwing the Firebirds off their stride initially, the Magic were unable to take full toll as the visitors made a strong reply in the latter stages of the quarter.

Impressive work on attack from Sarah Wall and the slick service to Aiken, who remained a strong presence, helped the Firebirds retain their lead as they went to halftime 30-27 ahead.

The arm wrestle continued through an absorbing third quarter as momentum swung back and forth. Rock solid defensive pressure from the Firebirds with Laura Geitz and Amy Steel prominent had the Magic stretched in their abilities of getting the ball to van Dyk and Brown.

Casey Williams kept the Magic in the frame with some trademark intercepts but time and again the Magic squandered hard-won possession with risky transfers. The home team lacked movement on attack as the Firebirds held firm to keep their noses in front by 43-38 at the last break.

A dramatic final quarter went right to the wire as the Magic fought desperately to break the Firebirds buffer. Time and again the Magic surged, coming to within one goal early in the piece before the Firebirds regained the edge.

Two turnovers in the last 90 seconds gave the home team a glimmer in a frenetic finish as bodies went on the line but the Magic just could not crack the better finishing of the visitors.

Scholz on track for speedy recovery
Press Release May 30, 2010

Advances in surgical technique should have Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic import Peta Scholz back to full fitness and ready to play netball again in four months.

The former Australian international suffered the season-ending injury against the Central Pulse on May 8. She will rejoin her team-mates for tomorrow night’s crunch ANZ Championship match against the Queensland Firebirds in Rotorua after undergoing a successful knee reconstruction in Adelaide on May 18.

Keyhole surgery using a synthetic ligament has speeded up the process of Scholz’s recovery from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

``Under the normal method, your hamstring tendon is put in your knee and that then forms into a ligament,’’ she said.

``With this process they use a synthetic ligament, so once you’re out of surgery it’s as strong as it will be whereas with the hamstring tendon it takes that first three months to strengthen and form into a ligament, meaning you have to be careful.

``This way, I’m supposed to be back at full fitness after four months whereas with a traditional one it can take 10-12 months.’’

With the new technique not being available for knees in New Zealand, the longer process of going through ACC and the prospect of waiting lists, an impatient Scholz opted to return home for surgery.

Within five days of contacting the surgeon, the operation had been completed.

``I didn’t want to be sitting around not doing anything. I just wanted to get it done, start the recovery and be able to get back out on the court quicker,’’ she said.

``With this surgery that I’ve had, I can start running in six weeks which is pretty amazing. With the traditional knee reconstruction it’s three months before you can start walking and running, so that time frame is great.

``I still feel really disappointed and just want to be out on court now….. and I don’t think that will change for the rest of the season.’’

With her first season in the ANZ Championship ruined, the hard-working and popular midcourter is already eyeing up next year.

``That’s definitely my goal,’’ she said. ``I would love to play another year but there are still lots of things to consider. I’ll be 35 next year, I’ll have a knee reconstruction and they might not want me back.’’

After a week of practicing the extension and flexion of the knee to ensure enough bend in it, Scholz is hoping to start cycling and doing light leg weights tomorrow. In three weeks it will be power walking and then running.

Scholz is keen to get back with her team-mates and help in whatever capacity as the Magic look to cement a playoffs spot.

Missing last week’s loss to the Southern Steel while she was in Adelaide, Scholz has no doubts the Magic can return to winning ways.

``We’ve got such a great team and we’ll be fine,’’ she said. ``Obviously it will be a tough game, they’ve got some great players too, but we can match them.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

No need for panic, says van Dyk
Press Release May 27, 2010

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic’s status in the ANZ Championship netball competition will be put under close scrutiny by the Queensland Firebirds in Rotorua, on Monday.

With a challenging four weeks of the regular season ahead, Magic’s progress towards the playoffs lurched off course slightly following their loss to the Southern Steel in the latest round.

While durable shooter Irene van Dyk said it’s not panic stations just yet for the Magic, the Firebirds clash has taken on ``incredible importance.’’

With the last four rounds of the draw reverting to mainly trans-Tasman clashes, there is still plenty of opportunity for significant jostling on the points table.

``We can’t let slip any games from here on in,’’ van Dyk said.

``We really want a home semifinal so this is crucial for us. We have to make sure that come Monday there’s no stone left unturned and everybody brings their A game.

``It’s a moment of truth as far as our season is concerned and is going to pinpoint if we are on track. Considering we are playing three Aussie teams over the next four weeks, it will definitely show any cracks.

``From an attacking point of view, the Firebirds defensive end is rated one of the best of the Australian teams so we’ll have to be very strong and very clear in our movements to make sure that we have the upper hand come the end of that game.’’

Since the loss of import Peta Scholz to injury, there has been plenty of focus on the Magic’s defence line and its make-up which was further highlighted against the Steel.

But van Dyk was openly frank about the number of missed opportunities coughed up by the attack end in that match.

``We did get enough turnovers to win,’’ she said. ``We had (two) more shots than them during the game so there are no excuses.’’

With seven teams still mathematically in the running for a play-off spot, the Firebirds, who sit seventh, are a chance. Touted by many early on as real championship contenders, a slow start to the season and a number of close losses has counted against the Queenslanders but they are more than capable of pulling out a top performance.

After sailing along comfortably in recent weeks with just the one loss in the opening round, van Dyk, who has had a stellar season, has no doubts the Magic can re-enforce their credentials.

``When you’ve had a loss you cover a lot of ground exploring what went wrong and the things that went wrong against the Steel were not huge,’’ she said.

``So, in this case it’s probably not a matter of moving heaven and earth to get where we want to be, it is more a few small areas that we need to clean up.’’

The competition’s most reliable shooter was dismissive of comments that suggested the Magic were out-enthused by the Steel.

``We were hyped up for that game,’’ she said. ``If you go to Invercargill and you’re not hyped there’s something wrong.

``The hunger was there, the enthusiasm was there and we desperately wanted to nail them in Invercargill and at the end, there wasn’t a lot in that game.

``We have now made things a little bit harder for ourselves but it’s definitely not backs against the wall stuff just yet.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Steel halt Magic’s run
A resurgent Southern Steel kept their ANZ Championship netball playoff hopes alive with an upset 52-47 win over Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in Invercargill on Monday.

Fresh from the bye and with their season on the line, the Steel broke the Magic’s seven-game winning streak with a passionate and committed outing.

Built on the back of an outstanding defensive effort from Leana de Bruin and the pinpoint accuracy of shooter Daneka Wipiiti, the Steel consigned Magic to their first loss against a New Zealand franchise this season.

Constant pressure told on the Magic who were unable to break the shackles and looked disjointed for much of the match.

It was the home team who broke the early deadlock as the teams went goal-for-goal in the opening exchanges of a willing contest.

The Steel were a model of patience as they threaded the ball carefully through court while the Magic were all pace as they initially delivered a slick service into their goal circle.

Tightening their defensive resources, the Steel enjoyed a momentum shift to put the squeeze on shooters Irene van Dyk and Jodi Brown. In a quick change of fortunes, the Magic found themselves struggling to get the ball in shooting range as defenders de Bruin and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit turned up the heat.

Wing attack Liana Barrett-Chase was in the thick of action for the Steel, providing a quality service to towering shooter Wipiiti, who responded with a polished effort under the hoop to give the home team a 15-11 first quarter lead.

The Steel stretched the margin out to six before the Magic roared back into life, pouncing on a host of turnover ball as they clawed back the deficit. Captain Laura Langman was a threatening presence throughout the court, picking off a number of intercepts and deflections for the Magic as the visitors worked their way into the lead.

An injury to wing defence Erika Burgess stalled the Steel’s momentum but not for long as the home regrouped, staging their own late revival with a run of five straight goals to finish the quarter in style.

The Steel were able to maintain their four-goal advantage as they went to halftime 29-25 ahead with the Magic not helping themselves through inconsistency and a high error count.

The Steel made a rampant start to the third quarter, feeding off a bumbling start by the Magic to race out to an eight-goal advantage. The Magic defence could not contain the crafty work of goal attack Megan Dehn in tandem with Barrett-Chase and the high ball to the ever-cool Wipiiti, who was a model of consistency under the hoop.

At the other end of the court, de Bruin had an inspiring outing against her old friend van Dyk as the Magic shooters were put under intense pressure in the goal circle.

The energetic Langman was the one shining light for the Magic, inspiring a revival as the visitors went on a five-goal scoring spree to get themselves back into the contest. The prospect of an exciting run home was ensured as the Steel held a narrow 41-39 lead at threequarter time.

The Magic simply had no answers to a forceful final stanza by the home team who in buoyant and confident mood wreaked havoc as they skipped away to a timely upset.

Shooter Tuki embraces new role as a defender
Press Release May 20, 2010

A switch of ends remains likely for rangy Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic shooter Jess Tuki in Monday’s ANZ Championship netball clash against Southern Steel, in Invercargill.

Magic coach Noeline Taurua thrust bench-warmer Tuki into unfamiliar territory last week as she summed up her defensive options for the first time after losing valuable import Peta Scholz to a season-ending injury.

Keeping an open mind about a replacement player, the coach nonetheless liked what she saw from Tuki.

With great aerial skills, a long reach and a deceptive turn of speed, Tuki has struggled to make her mark as a shooter but has all the attributes to perform at the opposite end of the court.

Lacking time to make the full transition in her play, Taurua thinks she can still be an asset defensively.

``Jess has responded really well and very positively to being a defensive option,’’ Taurua said.

``She is going to be playing some club games over the next couple of weeks in that position and if anything it has given her a new lease of life. It’s another string to her bow and given her another way of looking at things.’’

Taurua has ``three working options’’ up her sleeve for the make-up of her back three and it is now a matter of waiting to see how the game unfolds against the Steel to find out which works best.

``I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made (defensively) over a week but if anything it has put the emphasis back on the attackers and that the possession of ball is critical,’’ Taurua said.

With a lot of emphasis and speculation centered on their defence, the Magic showed some scintillating movement on attack while clocking up 72 goals against the Canterbury Tactix last week.

``The shape of the attack was the best of the season and I was really pleased with last week’s game,’’ Taurua said.

``There’s some genuine connections starting to happen and I think there’s a nice confidence underneath with the players because they’re finally feeling that they are connecting.

``There are still individual errors but it’s less than what it’s been so those incremental improvements are happening from game to game.’’

With the Steel in survival mode and playing at home, Taurua is expecting a big challenge as the Magic chase an eighth straight win. Steel are the only New Zealand franchise to have beaten the Magic when they recorded a four-goal win in 2008.

The Magic won their first meeting this season, in round two, by six goals.

Taurua has a high regard for the Steel, who are renowned for doing the simple things well and keeping hold of the ball.

``In the attack end, Megan (Dehn) acts as the third feeder from goal attack and does a lot of work with their forward movement,’’ Taurua said.

``Defensively, they’ve got big units and we struggled with that last time we played them….big girls that shut down the space and go for the ball.’’

Steel goalkeeper Leana de Bruin, looking to regain spot in the Silver Ferns, is having a fine season and often troubles Magic shooting maestro Irene van Dyk while goal defence Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit has also impressed this year.

``They’ve got everything to play for,’’ Taurua said. ``They’ve got to win this game to stay in top-four contention. They will come with high energy levels, ready to play and they will go for it.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Polished Magic clean up Tactix
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty showed their class with a stylish 72-52 win over the Canterbury Tactix in ANZ Championship netball action in Hamilton on Saturday.

Regrouping after the loss of inspiring import Peta Scholz to a season-ending injury last week, the Magic clinched their best ever score in the competition and passed 60 for the first time this season to improve their percentages.

Senior players Laura Langman, Jodi Brown, Irene van Dyk and Frances Solia were major contributors as the home team squeezed the life out of the Tactix with a polished all-round effort.

Wholesale changes to their line-up following the bye, which included the experienced Anna Galvan returning from injury to slot into goalkeeper and the surprise selection of Angela Mitchell at goal attack got the Tactix off to a strong start.

The Magic took a little time to bed in their rejigged defensive line-up with Jodi Tod at wing defence, Casey Williams at goal defence and Kahurangi Waititi into goalkeep for her first start of the season. But by the quarter’s end the home team were well in control.

Quick release of the ball had the Magic mixing patience and razzle dazzle as the home team found their flow on attack. The growing understanding of Brown and van Dyk in the shooting circle was pivotal. Captain Langman was in the thick of the action, her pinpoint feeding to van Dyk was all class while she also proved strong value on defence.

The short Tactix shooting duo of Mitchell and Anna Thompson struggled under the long reach and aerial skills of Williams and Waititi, who pounced on any errant pass or shot. It was all the Magic, who ended the quarter with a flourish, scoring the last four goals to take a healthy 18-10 lead at the first break.

The Magic cleared out to a 10-goal margin five minutes into the second stanza on the back of slick movement and pace through court. Flair and flow had the Magic poised to really take off but through some good passages the Tactix were able to stem the flow temporarily.

Some spectacular play was undone by errors and passing glitches to stall the Magic momentum as the Tactix took their opportunities. The visitors enjoyed a profitable few minutes with efficiency on attack, some strong defensive work and the finishing of Thompson.

The Magic had the last say with a controlled surge, the irrepressible van Dyk leading the charge as the home team headed into halftime 35-25.

Victoria Smith replaced Galvan for the second half as the Tactix, showing strong straight-line play through court level-pegged with the Magic.

Very quick to turn defence into attack, the home team found it difficult to completely shake the dogged visitors. The Tactix were rewarded for their patience but ultimately could not assert themselves totally against the talent-laden Magic on a consistent basis.

The home team consolidated through the quarter, picking up towards the end as they fed off errors and missed shots by the Tactix to head into the last break with a 51-38 lead.
A raft of changes were made by both teams for the run home, the most interesting being shooter Jess Tuki, shoring up the Magic’s defence at goalkeeper. The rangy Tuki made a good fist of her new role as the Magic stormed home with a blistering finish.

Scholz to play a sideline role after being ruled out
Press Release May 12, 2010

A serious knee injury has ruled Peta Scholz out of the ANZ Championship netball competition but she will remain involved with her Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic team.

Confirmation today that the former Australian international will need a knee reconstruction after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee during last weekend’s match against the Central Pulse has devastated the popular import.

``I haven’t had any injuries at all before this so it’s hard to swallow,’’ Scholz said. ``I was devastated and am still a bit emotional at times.

``I’m friends with all the girls now and I would hate to abandon them. I still feel like part of the team and to be honest, I wouldn’t even consider going home.

``I’ve signed to stay here and I’m more than happy to do that and I want to do that.’’

Scholz, who is based in Mt Maunganui with her husband and two young daughters for the trans-Tasman campaign, has further scans scheduled over the next week to determine the extent of the damage and to explore surgery options. It is also likely she has suffered a partial tear to the medial ligament as well as cartilage damage.

The loss of the influential and hard-working midcourter, who was capped 54 times for Australia, is a big blow for the Magic.

``She’s held in very high regard, has earned the respect of everyone and offers something a little different from what we’ve had in the environment previously,’’ coach Noeline Taurua said. ``She has a quality that sets her apart.

``It’s been a tough time because she is an integral part of the team unit and has contributed so well both on and off the court.

``But we have got to the stage now where we have acknowledged that we won’t have her on court from here on in and that we will use her experience and skills in another way.’’

Magic have trained twice since the loss of Scholz with the emphasis on consolidating team unity and moving forward.

For now Taurua has been looking at her options from within the squad but hasn’t ruled out drafting in a replacement player. For the moment she is just keen to see how her options pan out in Saturday’s match in Hamilton against the Canterbury Tactix.

``Because we will be trying new combinations we are aware the flow might not be as good as it could be but it’s something we’re going to have to work our way through,’’ she said.

``Everything is at a delicate stage for us against Tactix. From this game we will know what we have, in terms of what combinations are real so we’ll be working on that at the same time as going for the two points.

``From the trainings we’ve had it has been encouraging. There was a lot of energy, a lot of focus and we know what we need to do.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Scholz future in limbo
Press Release May 10, 2010

Ruled out of this weekend’s ANZ Championship netball round, the playing future of Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic midcourter Peta Scholz remains up in the air.

The highly regarded and hard-working wing defence sustained a knee injury during the Magic’s 56-44 win over the Central Pulse on Saturday.

Scholz is waiting for the swelling to reduce and the injury to settle before seeking a scan and specialist advice.

``Until the extent of the injury is determined, it’s business as usual for the Magic,’’ coach Noeline Taurua said.

``We can’t make any firm decisions one way or the other until we know the expert medical opinion on Peta’s injury and that probably won’t be for another week or so.

``In the meantime, the rest of the squad will carry on as per normal with training and preparing for our next match against the Canterbury Tactix.’’

Taurua has several options up her sleeve to trial during the week for the enforced change to her line-up ahead of Saturday’s clash in Hamilton.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Grafting win for Magic against Pulse
A ragged-looking Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic battled all the way before clinching a 56-44 win over the Central Pulse in ANZ Championship action in Rotorua on Saturday.

It was not the easy win many expected from the talent-laden Magic, who sit second on the points table, as the winless Pulse put up their most encouraging performance of the season.

Coming off the bye, the Pulse played with confidence and purpose to be well in contention through the first half before the Magic lifted the tempo in a dominant third quarter.

The wheels fell off for the Pulse during this spell with a mounting error rate but the visitors did have the satisfaction of winning the final quarter against an out-of-sorts Magic.

The Pulse made a positive start, showing a confidence to move the ball through strong driving by wing attack Camilla Lees which was well-supported by goal attack Paula Griffin.

The drafting of defender Rachael Rasmussen into the side as cover for the injured Katrina Grant also played dividends as her height and experience kept the Magic’s danger shooter Irene van Dyk under close wraps.

More than holding their own in the opening exchanges, the Pulse’s strong defensive effort through court produced an erratic start by the Magic.

The teams level-pegged through most of the opening quarter, poor finishing letting the visitors down as the Magic hit the first break 14-11 ahead.

A serious-looking knee injury to Australian import Peta Scholz on the stroke of the first quarter break resulted in a reshuffle of the Magic’s defensive line. Kahurangi Waititi came off the bench and into goalkeeper, Casey Williams moved to goal defence and Jodi Tod to wing defence.

The changes took time to settle as the Pulse took full advantage. Well structured on attack, the visitors were kept in the hunt by the accurate shooting of Griffin. A strong defensive effort from Rasmussen and Ama Agbeze, where they often double-marked van Dyk had the Magic flustered and coughing up a lot of turnover ball.

The Pulse were rewarded with the lead but it was short-lived. Midcourter Frances Solia was in the thick of the action on attack and defensively as the Magic finally found some flow, scoring five on the trot to gain some momentum and eventually a 28-25 halftime lead.

Looking for more movement in their shooting circle, the Magic introduced Tanya Lund at goal attack for Jodi Brown in the second half. The change had an immediate impact, the mobility of Lund and her ability to slot some long range bombs relieved some of the pressure from van Dyk.

Lifting their urgency levels, the Magic also tightened up defensively, shutting down the Pulse’s options and leaving them scoreless for long periods. The Pulse also lost confidence on the shot, Williams and Waititi swooping on the resultant rebounds.

The Magic responded to Solia’s continued energetic performance by piling on the pressure and expanding their lead. Restricting the Pulse to just six goals, the Magic were comfortably placed when they went to the last break 44-31 ahead.

In a far from convincing final stanza where they gave a ragged display, the Magic could thank their big third quarter effort to seal a none-too-convincing win.

Magic look to turn up the heat against Pulse
Press Release May 6, 2010

Completing the job in style is top priority for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic against Central Pulse in their ANZ Championship netball clash in Rotorua on Saturday.

A bruising and intense three-goal win against Northern Mystics in the last round has put a spring in the Magic step. Buoyed by their efforts to withstand a demanding challenge from the northern franchise has fuelled the Magic’s need to maintain a quality standard.

With their season in disarray after six straight losses, it is uncertain how the Pulse will return from their bye weekend but the Magic are looking to turn up the heat.

``Everyone is expecting us to win but there is a bit of pressure to play good netball, to come off our last game and take it up another level,’’ Magic midcourter Frances Solia said.

``With the Pulse you come up against youth, fitness and excitement, so it’s just a matter of being composed and to play our game.

``It’s important for us that we don’t drop our standards…..we would like to build a big lead and sustain it. We want to win and we want to win well.’’

The Magic players were put under the pump by the Mystics and made their share of errors. But composure in withstanding the constant physical pressure and a great team effort where all seven stood up to play a significant role, has paid dividends.

``That was a real grinding game,’’ said Solia, of the most physical match she’s been involved in this year.

``But if that had been last year and we’d played a team like that, our reaction would not have been a good one. But this year, the response was much more positive.’’

Sporting a number of bumps and bruises after coming under close attention throughout the game, the 33-year-old captain of Samoa said the experience couldn’t help but be of benefit.

``It’s not a game that I would recommend or would like to play again but it was definitely a good test for us and it’s just shown that we can stand up to all sorts of things that are thrown at us. We can take a lot of confidence away from that,’’ she said.

``There’s certain things you can’t learn overnight or at training and composure is one of them. That comes with experience, maturity and strong heads which we are gaining all the time as a unit. That will stand us in good stead looking ahead.’’

Despite there still being a few glitches on attack, Solia is confident the team is heading in the right direction.

The Magic’s limited pre-season build-up has meant a bit of trial and error as the competition has progressed. The forward line has taken time to bed in but continues to improve.

Keen to have more than one string to their bow, the team is also working on a variety of options to suit the situation. This has not quite been perfected yet and hit a few speed bumps against the Mystics.

``You definitely know when you’re not at your best and when you’ve still got more to give,’’ Solia said.

``There’s still a long way in the competition to go so we don’t want to be at our absolute best right now. But we’re getting closer and hopefully working towards peaking nearer the business end of the season.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Magic win bruiser against Mystics
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic moved up to second on the ANZ Championship table after prevailing 49-46 in a bruising clash with the Northern Mystics in Hamilton on Monday night.

The Magic kept their unbeaten record against New Zealand teams intact but the Mystics, with their season in the balance, produced a mighty challenge.

In the end, it was the Magic’s superior composure under pressure and the accuracy of shooter Irene van Dyk, who converted 37 from 40 shots for a 93 percent success rate, which proved the difference.

The Magic provided the perfect opening, showing good structure and patience on attack, the intuitive understanding between shooters Jodi Brown and van Dyk shining through early.

In upbeat mood, the home team strolled out to an early 7-2 advantage on the back of more accurate finishing through a seamless delivery from midcourters Laura Langman and Frances Solia while defenders Jodi Tod and Casey Williams provided an impregnable wall in the Mystics circle.

The contest between the two most consistent shooting teams in the competition was all one-way early on as the Mystics were undone by a lack of finishing. However, the edge fell off the Magic’s play as the Mystics fought their way back through a series of errors from their opponents.

Grabbing more ball, the visitors worked their way back into contention as the Magic went to the first break with a 14-11 lead.

Both teams made cautious restarts as turnovers featured prominently. The Magic frittered away a number of opportunities with reckless passing and a high error rate. The Mystics weren’t much better but made the most of their extra possession as shooters Cathrine Latu and Maria Tutaia found their range with more regularity.

The visitors had opportunities to prey further on the Magic’s woes as the stymied their opponents attacking options but were unable to take full toll. The Mystics weren’t totally tidy themselves but found greater momentum through court when Temepara George went from wing attack to centre as well as shoring up their defensive effort.

After drawing level, the Mystics went toe-to-toe with the Magic into halftime with the teams locked 24-all.

The game went up a notch in the vital third quarter with neither side taking a backward step. The sloppiness from both teams disappeared as an exciting and tense spectacle unfolded.

Staunch defence was the hallmark as both teams battled mightily to gain forward momentum in an at times brutal contest. The Mystics’ resolve was the first to break as the Magic cut their error rate, ensuring possession with a measured and patient approach.

With van Dyk floored in a late challenge and the signs of a fat lip emerging, the incident sparked an assertive Magic revival. The ever-accurate shooting maestro remained unfazed, slotting all that came her way as the Mystics, often pressured into error, struggled to offer the same reliance under the hoop.

Showing the better composure and finishing, it was the Magic who held the edge 39-34 heading down the home straight.

There was more razzle dazzle in the final stanza with numerous intercepts, desperate challenges and sprawled bodies as the Mystics refused to buckle, twice narrowing to within one goal but unable to make the crucial breakthrough.

Positional jostling about to heat up, says Magic coach
Press Release April 30, 2010

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic coach Noeline Taurua is viewing the next four weeks of the ANZ Championship netball competition as crucial to her team’s play-off prospects.

While it will be the same old message for her players against the Northern Mystics in Hamilton, on Monday, the mid-season phase of the competition has the Magic mentor on her toes.

During the next four weeks the New Zealand and Australian teams will be pitted against opposition from their own country as the race for the top four heats up.

``The next few weeks are really important as it’s the time when a lot of jostling will happen,’’ Taurua said.

``At this stage it’s about winning as well as keeping an eye on your goal difference. But it still remains a week-to-week proposition and making sure you do the job and not get caught out by looking at the bigger picture too much.

``This next phase can have a detrimental effect if you don’t handle things properly and take it one step at a time. So, for me, the best scenario is just to keep your head down, take it one game at a time and keep chiseling away. It’s dangerous territory to get ahead of yourself.’’

Widely touted as the likely successors to the Magic’s mantle as New Zealand’s top team after strong off-season recruiting, things haven’t gone quite according to plan for the Mystics, who went down by nine goals when the pair met in round three.

With a three-win three-loss record and sitting seventh on the table, the northern visitors are at the crossroads of their season and need to keep winning to stay on track. Fourth on the table, the Magic are more handily placed with four wins and a loss while also having a game in hand.

``The Mystics have got a lot of firepower and if they play together as a team, they have the potential to beat anyone,’’ Taurua said.

`` They will be keen to do well for their own pride because I know they weren’t happy with the loss when we played them last time.

``They present a lot of dangers but we’ll be competitive with them. It’s going to be a good tester for both teams as to where we were four weeks ago and where we are now. I would like to think the work we have been doing since will start coming to fruition.’’

Key for the Magic is to get more ball to shooters Irene van Dyk and Jodi Brown. Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem with the irrepressible van Dyk in familiar territory as the competition’s most accurate shooter but her number of attempts is significantly down on some of the other major players, meaning she’s not receiving the same volume.

``It’s all about possession and how we use it,’’ Taurua said.

``We’ve been incorporating a lot of things into our trainings where players just don’t have everything their own way and I do believe that has been rubbing off into our games, so we’re not as emotional when things don’t go our way.

``It’s about doing the basic grind when we have to and I’d like to think we have improved in that respect.’’

Taurua concedes that some teams can be flat coming off a bye and while only time will tell in that regard, doesn’t think it will be an issue.


Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Bye timely, says Magic captain
Press Release April 22, 2010

The Waikato/Bay of Plenty of Magic are unfazed about having the weekend off despite just a sprinkling of games under their belt in the ANZ Championship netball competition.

Seemingly just finding their feet after five rounds of the competition, the Magic, along with the NSW Swifts, go into the first of the bye rounds this weekend.

A break this early in the 14-week round robin season could be seen as detrimental but captain Laura Langman thinks the timing is just right for the Magic.

``Initially looking at the draw, I thought the bye was way too early but having had the five games, I now think it’s perfect for us,’’ she said.

``It’s a good opportunity for us to have a wee injection into our conditioning side of things and put in two weeks of intense training without having to taper for a game. It’s an opportune time to consolidate and I think the timing is right for us and hopefully will work in our favour.’’

The form centre of the New Zealand teams, Langman is thriving with the responsibility of the captaincy role which has thrust her into a new light. Her all-round qualities have risen to new levels this season, the livewire midcourter giving the Magic a favorable pass rate on performance to date where they sit handily-placed at third on the table.

``I think, out of 10, we’re probably sitting around the seven mark,’’ she said.

``We still have a lot to offer and we just need to hone in on our finishing. But I think we’ve been really good at absorbing the pressure that we put on ourselves and also what the opposition’s put on us. That’s a characteristic in the past where the Magic have been found wanting…..so yeah, I quite like where we are.’’

The Magic have shown touches of class during their outings to date but they have also been dogged by inconsistency. The inability to comprehensively nail opponents, on the back of a host of extra possession, has been all too evident.

``I think as a team we’re traveling quite nicely,’’ Langman said.

``We’re at the stage now where we seriously need to minimise the times we lose our links and be able to change into that mode of slowing down and adopting a short, quick passing game of just transferring the ball safely through court.

``The basic aim is not to lose possession but we have been found guilty of doing that too much recently. It’s the finishing off we need to concentrate on.’’

Getting effective ball movement in the all-important area between the transverse line and the top of their shooting circle consistently is still a work in progress and the major stalling point for the Magic at the moment.

``We don’t have any problem putting the ball through the hoop,’’ Langman said.

``It’s getting the ball from the defence end and moving from the razzle dazzle type of play to that calm, flowing really sharp decision-making and effective style which is what we are working really hard on.’’

Langman is enjoying the captaincy and does not feel under any extra pressure with the role.

``We’ve got a huge amount of depth in leadership terms in our team, so I’m pretty lucky,’’ she said.

``It’s pretty much just piecing things together, making sure everyone’s on the same wave and feeling good. It’s great, I’m really enjoying it.

``This is definitely the best team I’ve been involved with on and off the court. There’s a really nice feel and we’re a happy lot.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Searching for More Fans at Home Games
The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic enjoyed great crowds for the 2008 and 2009 ANZ Championships but 2010 is a different story and the administrators of the Franchise are desparately searching for answers.

"We know that 5 Saturday games are far from ideal particularly when they clash with local netball activities and we are just so pleased that Netball Rotorua have abandoned play on May 8 when we play the Central Pulse," said CEO Sheryl Dawson. "We are also well aware that other sports are hurting as well and given the impact of the economic climate and the push for Rugby World Cup tickets occurring now we need to be much more innovative in approach."

The Franchise has such a great fan following and needs them at every home game. Each game in this championship is hard fought and the crowd adds at least 10 goals in the First Windows Waikato Bay of Plenty Team thinking.

Tickets are available on Ticket Direct, at Paper Plus and at present the Franchise is looking at being at netball in Hamilton and Rotorua as well. Other initiatives are being worked on to make it easy for fans to buy.

Magic overpower Tactix
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic bagged the points after accounting for the Canterbury Tactix 53-36 in a bruising ANZ Championship clash in Christchurch on Sunday.

With the final result never in doubt, the Magic left their imprint on a scrappy spectacle highlighted by a high penalty count, a willing physical contest, where bodies were continually put on the line, and an error rate neither team would be proud of.

The Magic were superior in most facets, their better finishing getting them home in a canter while the Tactix were let down by a lack of accuracy under the hoop.

The Magic built on a measured start before flexing their muscle with a late surge just ahead of the first break.

Irene van Dyk and Jodi Brown held sway in the Magic circle, their clever little interchanges leaving the Tactix defenders flat-footed. The visitors denied the home team their traditional fast start but a full of purpose Anna Thompson directed her attacking line well from goal attack.

The Magic took advantage of the Tactix growing penalty count to edge into a position of control when leading 17-11 at the first break.

Undeterred, the Tactix came out steaming on the resumption but there was a lack of control from both teams in a messy second quarter. The home team made a mini comeback to put themselves back in contention but frittered away all the hard work with a rash of turnovers.

Both teams increased their defensive efforts which stifled a free-flowing spectacle as the physicality intensified. The Magic showed the greater patience getting the ball through court with the ever-reliable van Dyk adding the polish under the hoop.

At the other end of the court, the Tactix got the shooting wobbles with several close-range shots missing as Magic defenders Casey Williams and Jodi Tod turned up the heat.
The greater accuracy of van Dyk, who had a perfect 16 from 16 and Brown 12 from 15, gave the Magic a handy 28-19 halftime buffer also helped by restricting the Tactix to just eight goals.

Scoring the first four goals after halftime, the Magic threatened to run away with the match but the Tactix spoiled that intent with an effective midcourt zone. The home team’s defensive trio of Victoria Smith, Charlotte Kight and Crofts caused the Magic’s attackers problems in clearing the ball.

There was a host of ill-directed passes from the Magic in a scrappy exhibition but once in the safe hands of van Dyk and Brown, there was little doubt of another goal being added.

With the greater player power, the Magic absorbed all the pressure, repelling everything the Tactix could throw at them in battle of attrition that finally ground the home team into submission.

Unable to keep the visitors at bay, the Tactix coughed up too much ball under pressure as the Magic made full use of their possession. Restricting the Tactix to just seven goals, the Magic held all the cards as they went to the last break 43-26 ahead.

Both teams made wholesale changes in the final quarter, the most significant being van Dyk, who was benched after taking a heavy fall earlier. It made little difference to the Magic, who continued to dominate.

Magic look to deliver their own lesson
Press Release April 15, 2010

Building on last week’s lesson is the motivating factor for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic’s fifth round ANZ Championship netball outing against the Canterbury Tactix in Christchurch, on Sunday.

There was the possibility of a grumpy coach presiding over Magic trainings this week after the team was forced to dig deep before repelling a spirited challenge from a youthful West Coast Fever by five goals.

But coach Noeline Taurua said while several parts of the game did not go to plan, the good outweighed the bad.

``You can beat yourself up too much and get caught up in all the negatives,’’ she said.

``It’s really a fine line because you’ve got to acknowledge the things that are going wrong, and the players know where they went wrong, but it’s also about where you go to keeping it positive and moving forward.

``Our approach (at trainings and matches) has not deviated much all the way along. Getting the understanding between each individual and the whole team unit, where possession is the emphasis, and getting them aware of that remains the key and that is still a work in progress.’’

Defensively the team is raking in a heap of extra ball (27 percent off the opposition’s centre pass) but the inability to convert a bigger proportion of that is stalling more complete performances from the Magic.

There was disappointment from the Magic on the number of opportunities squandered against a staunch Fever challenge and Taurua is expecting a similar level of intent from the Tactix.

``After playing against the Fever and noting what we didn’t do well and coming up against the Tactix, who have a similar upbeat manner, it’s a good test for us and another opportunity to see how much we’ve learnt and what we need to do to come out quite dominant in our game and be more purposeful,’’ she said.

With the Magic sitting third on the table and the Tactix ninth, there should only be one winner but the young Tactix line-up has attitude and a decent mix of talent and there will be no quarter given in the all-Kiwi clash.

``We weren’t over the moon with how we played last week,’’ Taurua said. ``We pocketed the points but also know there’s a long way to go and we have to keep the focus on improving from week to week.

``We do acknowledge the energy they (Fever) brought into the game and that we didn’t match it and also weren’t smart enough to take control of things at certain times. We just let them steamroll over us, instead of being more purposeful in what we were doing.

``I think Tactix are going to present in similar fashion and in those situations it is easy to get caught playing into their hands.

``They are very similar to Fever where their energy is really high. They play with a high intensity. They’re solid and they do get their hands on a lot of ball. They are tenacious so you have to be careful because, if not, they can run you over.’’

The Magic put the polish on their trip south with a mixture of tough court and fitness sessions as well as hitting the pool and applying the netball basics to waterpolo.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Magic repel spirited Fever
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic had to dig deep before shaking off a determined West Coast Fever 55-50 in fourth-round ANZ Championship netball action in Hamilton on Saturday.

The Magic found themselves chasing throughout the first half as the Fever dominated proceedings. The visitors played the perfect spoiling game to disrupt the Magic’s fluency with great effect before the home team bounded back in the third quarter with a powerful and match-winning effort.

The young Fever team proved their growing prowess with a heartening outing, putting up just three less goals than the Magic, who were finally steered home on the back of a peerless shooting display from Irene van Dyk. The shooting maestro was successful with 41 goals from 42 attempts to return a 98 percent success rate.

It was the visitors who made all the early running, testing the Magic in every facet to hold the upper hand through the opening stanza.

The Fever bookends, 1.92m Caitlin Bassett at goalshoot and 1.96m goalkeeper Susan Fuhrmann were strong performers while the midcourt did a fine job of slowing the Magic’s attacking prowess.

The Fever were quick and clean through court to build a four-goal lead while the Magic were slow out of the blocks. The home team gained some parity with a late rally to reel in the deficit as the Fever went to the first break with a narrow 13-12 first quarter lead.

The second stanza opened in messy fashion with a flood of turnovers, the calming influence and growing stature of Leah Shoard, at goal attack, and ever-present wing attack Madison Browne helping the Fever repeat their efforts of earlier to stretch out to a four-goal lead.

The Magic failed to break the tenacious never-say-die qualities of the visitors whose combined defensive efforts thwarted the home team’s ability to find their usual flow.

Casey Williams and Jodi Tod pulled off some standout intercepts for the Magic, who tightened the defensive screws, as the home team hit the lead for the first time.

That lift in intensity was short-lived, however, as the Fever maintained their edge with a fighting 25-24 lead heading into halftime.

There was nothing in it during a tense and tight opening to the third quarter as the teams went goal-for-goal in an absorbing struggle. Each individual match-up was highlighted as the Magic adapted their game to suit the battling nature of the clash.

Thanks to the aerial skills of Williams, who reigned majestically under the Fever hoop, the Magic gained extra ball to nose their way in front. The entire team defensive work rate of the Magic lifted to new levels while van Dyk finally got the measure of the towering Fuhrmann to leave her mark.

Captain Laura Langman was in the thick of action through court, a constant thorn on defence and tidying up around the circle edge on attack, as the Magic delivered a powerful 15 minutes to take a 42-36 lead at the last break.
With the damage done, the Magic added some dazzle down the home stretch but the Fever refused to completely surrender and battled bravely to the end.

The win, the third on the trot for the Magic, drew first blood for the New Zealand franchises in the first of the Rivalry Round matches.

Magic look to take heat out of Fever
Press Release April 8, 2010

It will take more than just history for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic to maintain their perfect strike rate against West Coast Fever in Saturday’s ANZ Championship netball match.

The ability to adjust quickly to the Australian style against the Perth-based franchise, in Hamilton, will be key to the Magic’s rising stocks following two solid wins against the Northern Mystics and Southern Steel.

The Magic have won both previous encounters but the young Fever team were the big improvers in the competition last year. They showed an ability to cause upsets and now have a number of players vying for spots in the Australian Diamonds.

``They’re a young side who have slowly been developing into a really good team,’’ Magic shooter Jodi Brown said.

``We need to make sure we adjust really quickly to their style – the strong one-handed passes, while on defence they run through everything so we have to make sure we take our whole bodies and don’t just stand and wait for the ball.

``Also, they are the type of team that just never give up……they just keep going and going and going.’’

The veteran shooter was an influential figure in the well-crafted win over the Mystics last week and is relishing her move to the Magic. Brown’s astute play from the goal attack position, showing the ability to feed precision ball and back up Irene van Dyk with accurate shooting, were pivotal to the win.

``We are getting better week by week. We’ve developed a really good team unity that is only going to keep getting better,’’ she said.

``Each week we seem to grow in confidence and that grows our links and ability. We’ve probably got a wee way to go yet but we are making good progress forward rather than two steps forward, one step back.’’

Brown, 28, has switched between goalshoot and goal attack throughout her career but is likely to find herself mostly out on the wing for the Magic. The former Silver Fern is pushing for a recall after a serious knee injury and the birth of her first child counted her out over the last couple of years.

There is a feeling the best is yet to come from the 1.85m shooter, who with maturity is a more composed figure under pressure, reads the game well and at the Magic is providing stability on attack that has not always been there in the past.

``Obviously, with Irene (van Dyk) behind me, it’s pretty comfortable playing goal attack,’’ she said.

``The old lungs are pumping a bit by the time it gets to the third and fourth quarters but it’s just a matter of making sure that what I do is precise and to the point and that I’m not just running about everywhere.’’

There is also a greater awareness to ease the load on van Dyk, who is under constant attention from opposition defenders.

``Previously, when I played with Irene you’d find there was quite a bit of imbalance in the shooting, in terms of her doing most of it,’’ Brown said.

``I was purely just there to put up five or six shots but it has been shown and I’ve learnt that to be successful in this competition you need two accurate shooters putting up a similar number of shots.

``So far, I think Irene and I have shown that and it just keeps the defences guessing……it’s all about complementing and helping out each other.’’

Magic still tops in NZ
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic confirmed their status as top New Zealand netball franchise with a masterly 55-46 win over the Northern Mystics in ANZ Championship action in Auckland on Saturday.

Composed under pressure, the Magic held their nerve to repel everything the Mystics could throw at them in the opening match of the third round.

A slow start put the home team on the back foot from the outset and while they threatened several times, inaccuracies proved the Mystics undoing.

It was a deserved win for the Magic, who showed greater shooting accuracy and the ability to absorb pressure before finishing with a flourish.

And it was the visitors who made all the early running in this much-hyped clash as both teams, predictably, went with their strongest line-ups.

With 14 current or former Silver Ferns scattered across the court there was plenty to get enthusiastic about and it was the visitors who sent the early signs they were not about to relinquish their mantle.

The Magic made the most of a near-perfect start, clinical with their procession through court while also creating a clutch of turnover ball as they strode out to a 6-1 advantage.

The growing rapport between shooters Irene van Dyk and Jodi Brown was evident as the pair proved accurate and poised under the hoop.

In comparison, the Mystics attackers could not replicate their opponents as they struggled to gain the same accuracy. Threatening at times, they were too often let down by a lack of consistency and errors at vital times as the Magic went to the first break 14-9 ahead.

The Magic continued their dominance with a withering start on the resumption to stretch out to a 10-goal lead before the Mystics hit back in the second stanza. Finding the well-performed Cathrine Latu with more frequency, the home team chipped the deficit back to four.

Through the midcourt, the Mystics Temepara George and her opposite Laura Langman had an epic struggle as the intensity and physicality lifted.

Shooting accuracy and errors continued to thwart the Mystics challenge with Casey Williams prominent in the rebound stakes for the visitors as the Magic ended the quarter as they started it. In dominant frame, van Dyk put the seal on a strong passage with a basketball style lay-up on halftime to propel the Magic to a comfortable 29-21 lead at the main break.

The introduction of teenage defender Kayla Cullen and veteran midcourter Jenny-May Coffin helped the Mystics stay in touch as the home team tightened their defensive screws. On the back of a better supply of ball, Latu and fellow shooter Maria Tutaia also found their range as the Mystics stormed back.

Errors from both teams highlighted a frantic third stanza, athletic Mystics goalkeep Althea Byfield was a constant thorn with her athletic ability under the high ball as the home team rallied strongly.

Reducing the Magic to a 40-36 scoreline at the last break, the Mystics set the scene for an exciting run home.

Magic primed for neighbourly clash
Press Release April 1, 2010

A tough lead-up match has the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic well primed for their much-anticipated ANZ Championship netball clash against neighbours, the Northern Mystics in Auckland, on Saturday.

Perennial under-achievers, the Mystics completed a radical turnaround of personnel in the off-season. With eight changes from last year, the northerners now present a formidable array of talent, including four Silver Ferns as they look to leave their mark in 2010.

The move north, from Magic, of Silver Ferns Maria Tutaia and Joline Henry, adds further spice to what is shaping as a classic contest to open round three.

The Magic have an equally talented line-up. One who is making her presence felt at an early stage is classy Australian import Peta Scholz, who prefers to shun the limelight but is quickly making headlines.

Coming back to top flight netball after a six-year absence, the 54-test veteran has shown her value and so far proven a perfect fit with coach Noeline Taurua describing her as ``the buy of the season’’. With all the attributes of a classic wing defence, Scholz brings stability, a strong work ethic and a tough mental attitude.

``She’s a great team member and the ultimate high performance athlete,’’ Taurua said. ``She’s ruthless in her training and out on court but off court has a real caring nature, is a great communicator and is always ready to help and pass on her experience.’’

A goal-for-goal last quarter against the Steel before the Magic surged away in the last few minutes was seen as an ideal preparation ahead of the Mystics. While they are hardly shouting from the rooftops, there was a quiet satisfaction in the manner of the win as the Magic opened their account for the season after a first round loss.

``I think all the teams will be very close this year and a lot will come down to the last two minutes, so for us to win like that and with not many pre-season games under our belt was great,’’ Scholz said.

``We absorbed the pressure and were able to play out the whole match, especially the last two minutes.’’

Scholz is thriving in the Magic environment and is one player in Saturday’s match where past history counts for little and won’t be affected.

``I’m really loving it,’’ she said. ``It’s a great side…..all the girls are just lovely and there’s fantastic morale.

``Because it’s my first time in the team, I don’t have that rivalry that they might have but having said that, I’m still out there to win and I will give it my all to do that.

``It will be a tough game, they have got a great side but we played a great team in the Steel.’’

Scholz said getting the basics right was the key to a top performance and the team had been working on maintaining possession, consistency and cutting out errors.

Taurua is happy with the Magic’s progress over the first two rounds but is looking for more polish and finishing on Saturday.

She described the Mystics, who are unbeaten after two rounds, as very strong throughout the court and it was important her players didn’t get caught up in anything else but the game.

``It is just another game and an opportunity to get another two points on the board,’’ she said.

``Obviously, we have a history with a couple of their players but at the end, that doesn’t make any difference. We’re out there to play a game and we’re just looking at building on what we achieved against the Steel.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Late rally gets Magic home
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic eventually subdued a spirited Southern Steel 47-41 to notch their first win of the ANZ Championship netball competition, in Rotorua tonight.

The Magic kept their unbeaten streak against the Steel intact in the second-round clash but it proved a grinding struggle for all but the final few minutes. In a nail-biting finish, the Magic suddenly burst into life with their customary free-flowing style to drain the last ebb of resistance from a gallant Steel challenge.

The visitors pushed the Magic all the way in the opening stanza despite the blow of losing Daneka Wipiiti in the lead-up to the game after the tall goalshoot failed to recover from a knee injury sustained in round one.

Her replacement, 20-year-old Julianna Naoupu, slotted in like a veteran with a polished start against an orthodox – compared to their last outing – Magic line-up which included Irene van Dyk at goalshoot and Jodi Brown at goal attack.

The Steel stuck to their trademark qualities of ball retention and patience while the Magic mixed the good with the bad in a patchy opening.

Former Magic defender Leana de Bruin kept her old team-mates honest by ensuring danger woman van Dyk was well contained as the Steel went to the first break 15-13 ahead.

It was more of the same from the Steel on the resumption as Naoupu and Megan Dehn combined effectively under the hoop, feasting off Magic errors to open a five-goal lead.

Struggling to break the strong defensive screen employed by the Steel, the Magic spent most of the second quarter chasing and battling to find their attacking flow. Lifting their intensity and finding more cohesion, it was, however, the home team who finished with a powerful late surge.

There was plenty of feeling in the individual battles which featured across the court, none more so than that which endured from go to whoa between Magic’s Australian import Peta Scholz and Steel wing attack Liana Barrett-Chase.

A goal on the tick of halftime kept the Steel with their noses just in front at 24-23.

The Steel’s challenged remained unabated as the Magic continued to be hesitant on attack and troubled by the Steel’s effective midcourt zone. Showing their best passage of the match, a four-goal unanswered run finally propelled the Magic into the lead from where they looked set to take off.

Great defensive work from Scholz put the squeeze on the Steel’s attacking momentum but the visitors refused to buckle. Showing more urgency they continued to apply the pressure in a frenzied finish to the quarter. Dehn continued her big workload as she marshalled the southern charge while Naoupu continued to impress.

De Bruin was a huge and disruptive presence in the Magic goal circle but it was the home team who had the better of the all-important third quarter to lead 33-30 down the home straight.

A titanic battle ensued throughout a pressure-cooker final quarter as the Steel levelled up early in the piece as both sets of defences applied unrelenting pressure.

Finding the target of van Dyk with more regularity in the dying minutes and the ability of Casey Williams to snatch a couple of vital intercepts gave the Magic the breathing space needed to finally break the southern resolve.

Consolidation and consistency top priorities for Magic
Press Release March 26, 2010

There will be less tinkering and more stability from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic for their second-round ANZ Championship netball clash against the Southern Steel.

Sitting in an unfamiliar position at the foot of the table after their eight-goal first-up loss to the Melbourne Vixens, Magic coach Noeline Taurua created something of a record by changing all of her starting seven during that match.

``I want to start consolidating both ends of the court now, so if there are changes they won’t be wholesale,’’ she said of the match in Rotorua, on Monday night.

``That first one was a tester and we got everyone out on court. There was a lot of our team who hadn’t played against an Australian team let alone the best in the competition. So, if we work it right from this week on, they could become very good players having been given that opportunity.’’

Tanya Lund and Peta Scholtz have never played in the trans-Tasman competition before while Kahurangi Waititi and Jess Tuki have had limited opportunities at this level.

``It has given the players and myself direction to areas that we need to work on,’’ Tuarua said. ``We have to get smart as to how we use players at certain times and the experience we got against the highly-rated Vixens will, hopefully, set the team up for whatever is thrown up over the next four months.’’

There were encouraging patches throughout the match for the Magic, who have made the play-offs in the previous two years, but ultimately the number of changes and high turnover rate counted against them.

The opening round was always going to be a gauge after a low key pre-season as the Magic look for a change of tact for this campaign.

``A lot of positives came out of that game which have set our foundation for the competition and one of those is knowing that four months is a very long time,’’ Taurua said.

Consolidation and consistency are keys against the always-gritty Steel, who are coming off a moral-boosting opening win against the West Coast Fever.

In their previous game, the Magic coughed up 24 turnovers compared to the Vixens 14 and Taurua said ``it just goes back to the same old story of keeping the ball in hand.

``It was something we learnt the hard way, so going into Monday’s game, it’s a case of seeing how much we actually have learnt.’’

Opting to skip the pre-season tournaments, Taurua has no regrets and is happy with how her players are travelling.

The Steel face an anxious wait on Daneka Wipiiti’s ability to bib-up for the match after their key strike weapon suffered a knee injury in the last play of the game against the Fever.

Returning from the birth of her first baby in December, the towering Wipiiti showed impressive shooting form against the Fever but faces a fitness test ahead of the Magic outing.

Steel have never beaten the Magic during four clashes in this competition but Taurua is not about to let her guard down.

``Steel are renowned for holding onto the ball and a low error rate,’’ Taurua said. ``They do the simple things well and their defence is very tenacious. They have their own special traits and on the back of that, they have won a lot of games.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Changes disrupt Magic opener
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic slipped to a 48-40 loss to defending champions the Melbourne Vixens in first round ANZ Championship action in Melbourne tonight.

After being right in it during an entertaining first half, wholesale changes counted against the Magic sustaining their challenge during the third quarter as combinations did not gel.

With a low key pre-season behind them, tonight’s outcome will have clarified coach Noeline Taurua’s thinking on her preferred line-up and a more consolidated look in the weeks ahead.

Taurua sprang selection surprises in her line-up from the outset as she gave all of her travelling 10 at least half a game for their opening match of the 2010 campaign.

The most eye-catching was her shooting combination with ever-green Irene van Dyk starting at goal attack and Jess Tuki under the post. The combination gelled quickly as the Magic made the early running with an accurate and competent start.

The Vixens also presented a surprise of their own with Demelza McCloud, who has played for the Canterbury Tactix and the Queensland Firebirds in recent years, but who retired at the end of last season, hurriedly called in to replace defender Julie Corletto.

Corletto is still battling to recover from off-season surgery. Dynamic Vixens co-captain Sharelle McMahon has also been a little underdone in the off-season after coming back from a second knee operation. But there is little that holds the mercurial goal attack back and she presented full of running tonight.

The combination and accuracy, under the hoop, of Caitlin Thwaites and McMahon helped the Vixens slowly edge ahead as the hosts took a slim 13-12 lead into the first break.

The Magic put the squeeze on the Vixens on the resumption, showing fast driving play on attack while also shoring up their defensive efforts. New captain Laura Langman was at the head of the Magic forward momentum while defensively Australian import Peta Scholz and Casey Williams made their presence felt by cutting down the Vixens options on attack.

Van Dyk was in the thick of the action as the Magic looked impressive in easing out to a five-goal lead but all the good work was undone by too many unnecessary turnovers as the home team rallied.

Thwaites was the rock under the Vixens goal as the home team retained their composure and the Magic got the shooting wobbles.

A quieter quarter by McMahon finished with a flourish as she picked up one her trademark steals to put the Vixens back into a 23-21 lead at halftime.

Massive changes at halftime, where Taurua opted to change her entire line-up as opposed to the Vixens starting seven staying intact, took time to settle.

With Taurua still looking at her options, van Dyk went back to goalshoot while Jodi Brown came on at goal attack for her first game in Magic colours. Tanya Lund replaced Frances Solia at wing attack, Scholz and Langman swapped midcourt positions, Williams came out to goal defence and Kahrangi Waititi came on for Jodi Tod at goalkeeper.

The Magic fell off the pace with all the changes, losing their structure on attack and leaving the door open defensively for the Vixens to forge a healthy lead.

The aerial skills of Williams, who pulled in a clutch of intercepts, gave the Magic plenty of opportunity to stay in the hunt. But a lack of cohesion on attack meant the ball was coughed up far too often as the Vixens swung out to a 37-28 threequarter time lead.

Solia was back on in the pivotal wing attack position for the final stanza as the Magic looked to resurrect some of the damage.

Threatening at times, the Magic showed much-needed improvement in the final quarter but the damage had already been done. Reeling in such a big deficit against the defending champions was always going to be a bridge too far.

Magic ready to roll
Press Release March 19, 2010

The heat is about to be turned up for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic after a low key build-up to the ANZ Championship netball season.

But in a tough season-opener, coach Noelene Taurua concedes the odds lean heavily towards the Melbourne Vixens in round one across the Tasman on Monday night.

After making the play-offs in the previous two campaigns, the Magic went on to implode at finals time. As a result, Taurua has opted for a more subdued approach to the third edition of the trans-Tasman competition.

The Magic have largely slipped under the radar in bypassing pre-season tournaments in Queenstown and Sydney, preferring to work quietly amongst themselves in their own backyard.

``We’re very happy with where we are……..we’ve just been chugging along and doing our own stuff,’’ Taurua said.

``We’re at the stage now where we need to engage in serious competition to see where our strengths and weaknesses are and how good our strategies are. It is now about testing ourselves as a team and individuals.

``This is going to be a tester as to how effective our build-up has been or not. It will be a gauge but it won’t define our season.’’

Despite an injury-riddled build-up, the Vixens have experienced the fewest changes of personnel in player movement in the off-season and have the luxury of being able to call on their preferred championship-winning starting line-up of last season.

``You’ve got to acknowledge that they enter this year as the top dogs,’’ Taurua said.

``They been together for a few years, they’ve pretty much got seven internationals out there, so they do set the benchmark heading into this year. But that’s exciting for us to see where we really are.’’

The Vixens have not been without their problems with star defender Julie Corletto in doubt of making Monday’s encounter due to a slow recovery from off-season surgery to both knees while the mercurial Sharelle McMahon has also had a limited off-season after also undergoing surgery but is expected to bib up.

``They will come out this season with the expectations already on their shoulders and the pressures that go with that,’’ Taurua said.

``And that shows at the TAB where we’re paying $7 and they’re paying $2 which lessens the load for us a little and just makes it more fun.’’

Taurua is more than enthusiastic about how her team has knitted together despite the loss of high quality performers Joline Henery and Maria Tutaia (both to the Mystics) and Leana de Bruin (Steel).

Replacements, in particular, Jodi Brown (from the Tactix) and Australian import Peta Scholz more than compensate for the losses and could yet prove to be Taurua’s trump cards.

``They bring a different dynamic to the court, have an enormous amount of experience and talent to offer and will be of real value to us,’’ she said.

While they have enjoyed a quiet build-up, it would be unwise to ignore their obvious strike power.

The Magic are champing at the bit to get started and with personnel in their mix such as Brown, Scholz, Laura Langman, Frances Solia, Irene van Dyk and Casey Williams, and strong options off the bench, there is no lacking in quality.

The Magic depart for Melbourne on Sunday.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Langman to captain Magic
Press Release March 18, 2010

From a host of worthy candidates, dynamic midcourter Laura Langman has been chosen to captain the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic netball team for this year’s ANZ Championship.
Coach Noeline Taurua said the time was right for the long-serving Langman, who has played for the Magic since first being selected as a schoolgirl in 2003.
Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams, shooters Irene van Dyk and Jodi Brown, Australian import Peta Scholz and Samoa captain Frances Solia are all a case in point of the strong leadership qualities present in the team.
``It’s her time,’’ Taurua said of the choice.
``Taking over the captaincy role is the last piece in the jigsaw puzzle to making Laura an outstanding player. She has the skill and the athletic factor and the captaincy will add the finishing touches to making her the complete player.’’
Langman, 23, who has racked up 52 test caps and was co-captain of the Silver Ferns during their 2008 international campaign, was slightly taken aback by the appointment.
``It’s really exciting and I’m looking forward to stepping up into that role but I also know that we are very fortunate to have a team full of leaders,’’ she said.
``We’re all pretty much leaders in our own right and do our own jobs accordingly, so pretty much I’ve just got to do the toss at the start of the game and get my times right for the warm-up and I’m pretty much done.’’
Joking aside, Langman said she was proud to be chosen as captain of such a strong and well-respected franchise.
``There are a number of players who could have done the role and done it really well,’’ she said.
``We’re lucky we have such an experienced side and I think my role will be just making sure everyone is on the same page. Everyone is motivated and they’re here to do a job so on that side of the coin it’s not so difficult but I hope to be the glue that keeps everyone together.’’
The Magic open their 2010 campaign against defending champions, the Vixens, in Melbourne on Monday night.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

TV ad for Magic
Press Release March 15, 2010

The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic will take a break from their ANZ Championship netball preparations to film a television commercial this week.

First Windows & Doors was welcomed as the Magic’s new naming rights sponsor at the team’s season launch, held in Tauranga, at the weekend. The Hamilton-based company will provide the backing for the commercial to be filmed on Thursday.

All of the 12-strong Magic squad will be involved in the commercial – a first for the franchise – which will be aired on TV3 and Sky Television.

The Magic start their 2010 ANZ Championship campaign against defending champions, the Vixens, in Melbourne next Monday.


Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic's Got Talent Audtions All Go
The auditions for this years Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic's Got Talent are underway and already there is a step up on last years talent offerings. Dancers, marching girls, duets, solo artists, bands, trampoline acrobats and other acts are lining up for their chance to be part of the entertainment at the Waikato Bay of Plenty Home Games. Raewyn Harvey who is overseeing the match day operations is also leading the search for talent. "So far we have seen some pretty awesome acts and we know we have more exciting ones to come." Some of last years acts will return - Leilani Taula and RPM pictured here.

ANZ CHAMPIONSHIP – RULE MODIFICATIONS FOR 2010 SEASON
The third season of the ANZ Championship kicks off on 20 March,in Auckland. Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic will be travelling to Melbourne to play the Melbourne Vixens in Hisense Arena on Monday March 22nd at 7:05pm.

Before the main season commences, the NSW Swifts and Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel are hosting pre-season tournaments on either side of the Tasman:

19-21 February - Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel Pre-season Tournament, Queenstown
5-7 March - SOPA Cup, Sydney Olympic Park

As well as being the first opportunity to see the new-look ANZ Championship teams in action, the pre-season events will be used to trial three modifications to the competition rules:

• No whistle after a goal is scored
• Coaching allowed during stoppages (Team Officials only)
• Full countdown clock

In its first two seasons, the ANZ Championship has enjoyed significant growth in live and television audiences, in both Australia and New Zealand.

ANZ Championship General Manager, Anthony Everard said, “At the conclusion of our second full season of competition in 2009, we conducted a full review of match day operations, to ensure that we continue to deliver an entertaining, fast-paced competition which showcases the world’s best players.

“Fundamentally, we know that that our product is very good. However, from time to time we will test and introduce new systems and processes aimed at fine-tuning the competition, and delivering a great spectacle for our live audiences, as well as those who watch the games on SKY Sport, TEN and ONE”, said Everard.

People Enjoying the Player Comments on Website
Mirage Design in Tauranga were impressed with the way each team member offered answers to a variety of questions to provide fans with a video clip on the website. "We only had to do one take with each player and the team management which was pretty good and some of them were quite amusing," said Dave Tipper.

People have been enjoying the comments made by the team including the choice of super heroes. The website has been revamped for the 2010 season and it is hoped to run competitions for fans and create a lot more energy on the site. The Fanzone is still a winner and the many comments made are to be enjoyed. The e newsletter has an increasing following.

Coach Becomes Buzzy Bee At Training
Noeline Taurua's approach to training this week caught her players by surprise. Turning up in fancy dress as a bee was designed to let the team know that they needed to become like bees getting on with their roles in the team and working hard. 'Be' is part of the Team Vision for the season and with Noeline's help this was reinforced very visually. Everyone now wonders what will come next.

The team is able to train with a full muster now that the Silver Ferns are back from their time out and camp in Australia. The training window is a small one when you consider the full team commenced training in the first week of February and play their first game in Melbourne against the Vixens on Monday 22nd March. Little wonder the coach became a busy bee!!

Peta Arrives To Join The Team For Retreat
A four and a half hour flight from Adelaide and a three hour car ride to the Mount and Peta Scholz and her two youngsters Matilda and Poppy along with mother in law Maria were at their new home for the next 6 months in Mount Maunganui. The four were greeted by the sparkling lights of a cruise ship and woke up to a near perfect day in the beach side resort. Matilda who had slept in her Heart Power Magic shirt could not wait to see her Mum's new car.

Come Saturday the joy of arrival will be a distant memory and Peta will be right among all things Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. Although this will not be a physical Auckland Anniversay weekend it will be an interesting one mentally. Peta is looking forward to meeting all of her team mates and catching up with Frances Solia whom she had played with in the World 7.

Schoolgirl signs on with Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
The signing of Tauranga schoolgirl Amy Christophers has completed the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic’s playing roster for the 2010 ANZ Championship netball competition.

With squads needing to be finalised by October 31, in-circle defender Christophers was the surprise final name to be rubber-stamped.

The prospect of lining up for the Magic came totally out of the blue for the 17-year-old Otumoetai College seventh former.

``I am really stoked,’’ she said.

``I was quite surprised and it’s going to be a huge step up from my school stuff and other stuff I’ve played,’’ she said.

Apart from netball, which she has played at age-group and New Zealand secondary school level, Christophers has excelled in volleyball and athletics.

A New Zealand junior women’s volleyball team representative, Christophers has also competed in the heptathlon, triple jump and javelin at the national championships.

``Now that I’m going to be involved with the Magic, those other sports will have to be toned down a bit. I’d like to keep up with them if I can but the Magic will definitely be my main focus,’’ she said.

Christopers can’t quite believe she is going from Magic spectator to training and playing alongside some of the elite names of world netball.

``Everything is just going to be the biggest step up and I just want to learn and develop off the senior players as much as I can,’’ she said.

Magic coach Noeline Taurua described Christophers as a raw talent with plenty of potential.

``She has played a number of other sports at a national level and has shown a strong-minded and gritty determination to succeed,’’ Taurua said.

``Where possible, we like to nurture home grown talent and she has shown the necessary attributes to make a real fist of playing netball at this level.’’

Amy Christophers is seen showing her reach in the photo included.

Magic squad for 2010: Jodi Brown, Amy Christopher, Tanya Lund, Laura Langman, Elias Shadrock, Peta Scholz, Frances Solia, Jodi Tod, Jess Tuki, Irene van Dyk, Kahurangi Waititi, Casey Williams.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Aussie Scholz teams up with Magic
Press Release October 28, 2009

Former Australian international Peta Scholz will make a return to top level netball with Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in next year’s ANZ Championship.

Strong performances for the composite World 7, who played three tests against the Silver Ferns in August, was enough to convince the dynamic wing defence she could still foot it with the best.

``Playing in the World 7 I realised that I really missed playing at that level,’’ she said.

``I had a great time, thoroughly enjoyed it and thought perhaps I still have something to give and could still play at that level.

``I didn’t really put my name out or anything. I had a chat with (Adelaide) Thunderbirds and we couldn’t come to an arrangement and then out of the blue I got a call from the Magic and it all went from there.’’

Scholz (nee Squire) is one in a long line of quality wing defences to come off the Australian production line and amassed 54 caps from 1999-2004.

A regular for the original Thunderbirds, Scholz, 33, played all 11 years of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy competition before the ANZ Championship took over in 2008 when she retired.

``I thought I’d lost the passion a little bit,’’ she said.

``I still loved playing netball but all the training, the travel, two young daughters, a husband playing sport….all took its toll a bit. So, I decided to retire and now this opportunity has come up and really it was too good to refuse.’’

Scholz has never gone far from the game, playing state league for Oakdale Club in the Adelaide competition for the past two years. Her team won the premiership this year for the first time which further fuelled her competitive instincts.

``All that inspired me a bit and I just thought what an opportunity…….. to go to New Zealand and play with some of the best players and hopefully win a championship.’’

Scholz will relocate to Mt Maunganui with husband David and children Matilda, 4-1/2, and Poppy, nearly three, in late January.

Apart from watching them on television, Scholz has limited knowledge of her new team-mates. She played alongside Frances Solia in the World 7 and has played against Irene van Dky at test level.

Scholz’s experience and the ability to mentor some of the younger players will be key assets for the Magic.

She got used to a winning culture in her years with the Thunderbirds after the team won two premierships and contested a number of grand finals so hopes to bring that mentality with her to the Magic.

``I’m a hard worker, I train hard and don’t settle for second best,’’ she said.

A different lifestyle, a family-friendly environment, spending six months doing what she loves and her husband keen to reduce his golf handicap were the appealing factors for a move across the Tasman.

``In Australia you often play until you want to have children and then you have children and that’s it,’’ Scholz said.

``Players tend to retire at that point and don’t come back. In New Zealand it’s totally different and seems a lot more family friendly and people almost have an expectation that you will return (to play) rather than you won’t, which is just wonderful.’’

Tanya Lund and Kahurangi Waititi have also been added to the Magic squad.

For shooter Lund, who was born in Australia to New Zealand parents, it will be her first time playing in the ANZ Championship after she crossed the Tasman to play for the Magic in the National Bank Cup in 2006 and 2007.

Defender Waititi played at the Magic with Lund in 2007 before turning out in the ANZ Championship for the Central Pulse in 2008 and the Canterbury Tactix this year.

Magic have just the one spot now to fill in their playing roster for next year.

2010 Magic squad (one to be added): Jodi Brown, Laura Langman, Tanya Lund, Peta Scholz, Elias Shadrock, Frances Solia, Jodi Tod, Jess Tuki, Irene van Dyk, Kahurangi Waititi, Casey Williams.

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Name 10
Ten players have been named to date for the 2010 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Team. Like the other 4 New Zealand Franchises the final make up is dependent on the approval of an ineligible player by Netball New Zealand. The side has held onto three key Silver Ferns - Laura Langman, Irene van Dyk and Captain Casey Williams. GA Tanya Lund returns to the team following some excellent performances during the Perry Foundation National Netball Champs to join Jodi Brown and Jess Tuki in the shooting end.

In the midcourt Frances Solia will return after her excellent showing with the World 7 along with NZ Under 21 Squad member Elias Shadrock. Defenders will be Jodi Tod who has earned a top reputation in the past two ANZ Championships and Kahurangi Waititi who played for the WBOP Magic in the National Bank Cup.

The final two will be named in early November.

Brown steps into familiar territory with Magic
Press Release September 2, 2009

There will be a sense of déjà vu for Jodi Brown when she links with the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic for the 2010 ANZ Championship netball season.

Old playing partnerships will be renewed when the former Silver Ferns shooter dons the Magic colours alongside Irene van Dyk, Frances Solia and coach Noeline Taurua. The quartet played together for Wellington-based teams at various stages during the late 1990s and subsequent years.

A member of the Canterbury Tactix team for the past two seasons, Brown jumped at the opportunity to play for the Magic when it became an unviable proposition to uproot her family and re-locate on a permanent basis to Christchurch.

`This was a personal decision based on my family circumstances,’’ Brown said.

``My support network for myself and my family is in Dunedin and Magic have a proven philosophy in terms of players commuting which has worked really well for Irene (van Dyk). I’ve commuted to Christchurch for the last two years and I just couldn’t afford to move there.’’

With husband Markham the operations manager of World Fitness Centre in Dunedin, the main bread winner of the family, and 10-month-old daughter Kiana in tow, Brown said it was an unrealistic option to make a permanent move anywhere.

``Noeline’s philosophy is if you have a happy person off the court, they’re a happy person on the court and will perform as well,’’ Brown said.

``And for me, that meant I could keep my family in Dunedin because that’s where Kiana’s grandparents are, babysitters….all the support networks who help with looking after her. When I know that’s all in hand and taken care of, I can concentrate fully on netball.’’

Brown was enticed to Wellington, from Wanganui, as a 16-year-old schoolgirl in 1998 where she found herself playing alongside then Silver Ferns shooter Taurua, and in following years Solia and van Dyk. She played the entire 10 years of the national league, turning out for four franchises while also making the Silver Ferns for the first time in 2003, with the team going on to win the world championship title that year.

Brown has no doubts about the move being a good one.

``I can’t wait until we get under way,’’ she said. ``I have a long history with Noeline, firstly as a player, and I have only heard good things about her coaching so thought it was a great opportunity for me to come and learn from her.’’

She is also relishing the chance to play with van Dyk again and Solia, who was her chief bridesmaid when she married.

A heart-breaking knee injury the day before competition began, ruled Brown out of the 2006 Commonwealth Games, in Melbourne and the opportunity to share in the Silver Ferns gold medal-winning exploits.

Following a long rehabilitation from knee reconstruction and the birth of her first child, Brown, 28, is now committed to regaining a spot in the Silver Ferns.

``I really would like to, if I’m good enough, be selected to go to the 2010 Commonwealth Games,’’ she said.

``I got to experience some of the atmosphere last time and I just have a burning passion to get to another one and play in it. That’s my goal but for the moment it’s just one step at a time.’’

Taurua was excited Magic had secured Brown.

``She brings a huge amount of experience in both shooting positions at the top flight,’’ the coach said.

``There are areas I think she can improve in but looking at her statistics from last year, she was the next best shooter behind Irene and it’s all about your shooters being able to put it through the hoop.’’

Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287

Magic retain strong core for 2010
Press Release September 1, 2009

The retention of key players, spearheaded by a trio of Silver Ferns, has ensured Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic a strong mix for the 2010 ANZ Championship netball competition.

Shooter Irene van Dyk, midcourter Laura Langman and defender Casey Williams give the Magic a potent presence in each third of the court after coach Noeline Taurua confirmed eight of her playing roster today for the third edition of the trans-Tasman league.

Also returning from last year are promising attacker Jess Tuki, well-performed midcourter and Samoa international Frances Solia, hard-working defender Jodi Tod and 2008 New Zealand secondary schools’ captain Elias Shadrock.

Former Silver Fern shooter Jodi Brown, looking to work her way back into the international frame after the birth of her first child last year, adds her considerable experience to the mix after opting to join the Magic from the Canterbury Tactix for family reasons.

Gone from last year are shooter Maria Tutaia and defender Joline Henry who will ply their trade with the Northern Mystics in 2010 while negotiations are continuing to fill the four remaining spots in the Magic line-up.

``We’ve been able to keep the core of players that have been here for a number of years which maintains a foundation and keeps us quite strong,’’ Tuarua said.

``When you’re trying to build on what you’ve done the previous year, that always helps so you’re not starting from scratch.’’

The Magic mentor said it was important a central group remained to keep continuity with the team culture which can take years to build if there are constant personnel changes.

``With this group we’ve got the experience there and also some exceptionally talented young blood. We want to give all our players a go and progress their games.’’

Taurua is delighted with the response from her core group in the current competitive climate where the retention of players has been at a premium.

For Williams, the newly ensconced Silver Ferns captain and Magic stalwart, who fielded a number of offers from other franchises, it was not a hard decision to stay.

``I am very happy here (with the Magic) not just for me but my family and partner,’’ she said.

``It’s still challenging. I haven’t got too comfortable that I can just take things for granted. I am always being challenged in all ways…not just out on court but getting challenged in having to mature and also growing as a person, not just a player.

``The values that are part of the Magic are a good thing to be a part of.’’

The local girl, who was raised on a Matamata dairy farm, said Taurua was also a determining factor.

``I really wanted to stay loyal to her….she’s the one that gave me the chance when I was 17 to get out there so she was an important part of my decision,’’ Williams said.

Magic team (four more to be named):
Irene van Dyk, Jodi Brown, Jess Tuki, Laura Langman, Fraces Solia, Jodi Tod, Elias Shadrock, Casey Williams.


Jane Hunt
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic publicity
Ph: 021-107-0287