Kia Magic lose Courtney Tairi for season

Media Release

2nd March 2015

The positive start to the Kia Magic’s season has been struck a blow today, with medical scans confirming a full rupture to Courtney Tairi’s left achilles tendon.  The major injury has effectively ended her ANZ Championship season.

The quality centre with Silver Ferns experience is naturally devastated by the injury on a personal note, but remaining positive from a Kia Magic perspective.

“I’m absolutely gutted to be out for the season.  I was really looking to build on the great season I had with the Kia Magic last year – my first with the franchise – and I’d assumed even more of a leadership role this year,” said Tairi.

“But that’s sport and I have no doubt the team will handle this set back, just as well as they’ve handled the other injuries we’re managing at the moment.  I’ll be giving the girls my full support and passing on as much knowledge as I can from the sidelines.  Thank you to everyone for all the support I’ve received – it means the world to me.”

Kia Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald was saddened to hear confirmation of the rupture but tried to remain on the bright-side, despite a mounting injury toll.

“Foremost I really feel for Courtney and what she’s having to come to terms with right now.  But we have such a strong team culture and bond and we’ll make sure she gets all the support she needs.  Her contribution to this team is invaluable both on and off court and we’ll continue to use her leadership,” said Fitzgerald.

“From a Kia Magic perspective, we seem to be having more than our share of injuries at present but we can’t control that or dwell on it.  What we can control is how we react, and we’ll be even more determined to play hard for our injured players.” 

Courtney Tairi is due to undergo surgery on Thursday, while Kia Magic coaching and management staff will take some time to consider playing roster implications.