Player Profile

Rachel Beale
Positions: GD, GK.

One of a trio of youngsters introduced to the Magic colours this year, Beale did not give herself any chance of making the step up to the inaugural season of the semi-professional ANZ Championships. But now ensconced in the team, the 22-year-old in-circle defender is determined to learn and glean everything she can off the experienced players around her. Originally from Gisborne, Beale came to Hamilton four years ago to study Sport & Leisure at Waikato University. An exciting prospect, Beale is a former Magic Development team member and played age-group through the grades for Eastern, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay representative teams. ``I was pretty surprised, I didn’t think I would have a chance but I’m stoked now that I’m there,’’ she said. ``I just want to do the best that I can do and learn off all the experienced players. It is an amazing team to be involved with and you are pretty much learning from the best that’s going around, in terms of the calibre of players.’’