Player Profile

Brigette Tapene
Positions: GA, GS, WA.

Under-rated shooter Brigette Tapene made the most of the lifeline offered when invited to trial for the Magic. Resigned to not being involved in the inaugural season of the ANZ Championship, the talented Tapene couldn’t have asked for a better outcome after not being wanted by the Northern Mystics franchise. ``I am very exited to get in this team,’’ she said. ``Now that I’m there, I want to establish some good consistency, a good relationship with the team and get some court time.’’ The demands of the new competition and training 2-3 hours a day mean Tapene, an office administrator, will revert to part-time employment and some coaching work to complete a busy life. Tapene, 23, can’t wait for the season to start and said it was a dream for every player to be a part of the new competition. ``To get the opportunity to be a part of it was awesome and to be a part of the Magic, one of the strongest teams, is even better. It’s just been a great ride so far,’’ she said. Being a shooter, Tapene is keen to tap into the expertise of coach Noeline Taurua, a former Silver Ferns goal attack. ``Everything seems to be going in my favour and as a shooter to have Silver Ferns defenders to practice against, I couldn’t ask for better,’’ she said.