THE PRESS, Christchurch Saturday, May 7, 2011 WEEKENDSPORT D5 NETBALL Marist pleased Who will take on the task to win opener Matt Richens We started to Marist Albion, Lincoln Uni- of resurrecting the Tactix? versity and Burnside are the fade in the final early leaders in the Christ- ‘ quarter, but that Matt Richens level until four years ago. church Netball Centre’s prem- Full-time coaching is a ier grade. was probably Maybe the coach’s job of different kettle of fish, but the Marist Albion and Lincoln because it was netball’s Canterbury Tactix is people The Press has spoken had wins on Thursday night . our first seen as a poisoned chalice. Wanted: a coach for the Tactix to have every faith that over Kereru and St Nicholas Only one coach is willing Hoffman can take the leap. at Villa Maria College, while 60-minute game. to publicly admit she is Pros: Hoffman is a proven Burnside came from behind Paul Hibbs interested. winner and took the Canter- on Tuesday to beat defending Marist Albion coach Canterbury NPC coach bury NPC team from the champions Hearts 48-40. Tania Hoffman and current second division to first div- Marist Albion coach Paul Tactix assistant coach Julie ision champions. She’s Hibbs said his side’s opening- The students had Tactix Seymour politely chose not to coached the NPC team for five round 47-36 win over Kereru shooter Ellen Halpenny and comment when contacted yes- years. They finished third in was a typical first match of hard-working defender Jane terday. her first year before they the season, but he was proud Watson to thank for their ‘‘I’d rather not comment, dropped to eighth and the of the way his side dominated dominance, although St Nich- thanks,’’ Hoffman said. second division. It’s from for the first three-quarters of olas came back at them hard, Seymour said the same: there she impressed, how- the match. winning the last quarter 18-11 ‘‘I’d rather not comment on ever. After an overhaul, ‘‘We started to fade in the to gain some respectability. the coaching role at the Canterbury won the second final quarter, but that was On Tuesday, Hearts moment, sorry.’’ division in 2008, finished third probably because it was the opened up a six-goal halftime Robyn Broughton is said to in the top tier in 2009, then first game of the season and lead, but lost 48-40 to be fuming at the Southern won the championship last our first 60-minute game.’’ Burnside. Steel board for advertising year. It’s the same overhaul Hibbs was able to make a Burnside still trailed by her job, but if she’s looking at that’s needed with the Tactix raft of changes in the final two going into the last a move north to continue her and Hoffman does have a quarter and still keep the fast- quarter, which they career and avenge what looks proven record with most of finishing Kereru at bay. impressively won 14-4 to not like an unceremonious the current players. Kereru had to play most of only win, but to stop Hearts dumping, she’s keeping quiet ■ JULIE SEYMOUR the game without starting picking up what could prove about it. Cons: She’s been involved shooter Vicky McSherry, who to be a valuable bonus point. The experienced Brough- with the Tactix already and was injured in the opening ton, who took the Steel to the been part of both of their minutes. Premier standings playoffs twice and before that wooden-spoon-winning Lincoln University were PW D L BGFGAGDPts the Sting to the National Bank campaigns. If she gets tarred comfortable winners over St Marist 110004736114 Cup final 10 years in suc- with that brush by the board, Nicholas 62-54. They had a LinUni 1100062548 4 cession, has not responded to she can almost kiss the job 12-goal lead at halftime and Burnside1100048408 4 StNichs100105462-80 numerous calls and text JULIE SEYMOUR: NO COMMENT ROBYN BROUGHTON: SILENCE TANIA HOFFMAN: NO COMMENT goodbye. Has the least stretched that advantage to 15 Hearts 100104048-80 messages. coaching experience of the by three-quarter time. Kereru 100103647-110 So it is unclear whether four. she would be interested or if Pros: Seymour was a she has even contacted the them or who they have That said, it will only take ■ MARG FOSTER matured as a coach and as a brilliant servant of the game Tactix. approached for the job. a couple of seasons to turn the Cons: Hmmm, Foster has, person and if given a chance for Canterbury and her Then there’s Marg Foster. The decision could be Tactix around and Broughton in the past, rubbed players would be a different coach workrate, enthusiasm and U21 squad named The current Waikato-Bay made as early as next week, has form. and board members up the than she used to be. She passion for the game could of Plenty Magic assistant though the week after looks Pros: Her record and wrong way. would do everything in her never be faulted. As a coach, coach is only too happy to talk more likely. reputation. Broughton knows What makes Foster a great power to ensure the Tactix as she did as a player, The New Zealand under-21 (Canterbury), Shannon about why she wants the job. Here is how the four how to win and has shown she coach has also ruffled many a moved up the table and is Seymour would place high netball squad has been named Francois (Otago), Julianna She said this week: ‘‘I’m frontrunners shape up. can build – and buy – a team feather. She’s passionate, does innovative, creative and importance on fitness, the for three matches against Naoupu (Bay of Plenty), passionate about netball and and maintain it. She got the things her way and is development-focused and basics and generally working Australia next month. Storm Purvis (Otago), Te Paea passionate about Canterbury ■ ROBYN BROUGHTON Southern Sting to the top in desperate to win. driven. hard. She’s also worked with The squad: Amber Bell- Selby-Rickit (Otago), Sulu and I’d love to be the next Cons: Age. Broughton is the National Bank Trophy Pros: See above. Foster is ■ TANIA HOFFMAN the bulk of the players – and ringer (Western), Sheridan Tone-Fitzpatrick (Auckland- Tactix coach.’’ closer to the end of her and kept them there. passionate about netball, Cons: Some may see her played with them – and would Bignall (Western), Gina Waitakere), Jo Trip The Tactix franchise coaching career than the start She has the respect of the about Canterbury and about lack of ANZ Championship hopefully have a long list of Crampton (Otago), Kayla (Canterbury), Portia refuses to comment on who and that could count against players and a good eye for winning. She also told The experience as a con, but no what worked and what didn’t Cullen (Auckland-Waitakere), Woodman (Auckland- has or hasn’t approached her. talent. Press this week that she’s coach had coached at this work this season. Sophia Fenwick Waitakere). NZPA Latu determined to get ball more often against Swifts Cathrine Latu, the trans- One of those was against the by the feeders as one reason the Latu also believed that how equal on points, with the debutantes, citing the fact they Tasman netball league’s most Mystics’ opponents in the Mystics put up almost 20 shots the Mystics countered the Sydneysiders’ better goal differ- had already managed to get a THE GOLFERS SHOP lethal shooter, wants her hands sudden-death minor semifinal, fewer than the Swifts, Latu Swifts’ stingy defensive pairing ence giving them home advan- couple of other monkeys off on the ball as much as possible the New South Wales Swifts, at admitted she did not make of Sonia Mkoloma and Rebecca tage for the Mother’s Day clash. their backs. as the Northern Mystics look to the same Olympic Park venue herself open enough to her Bulley would be a factor. While the Swifts were inaug- In March, they recorded • South Island’s continue a season of firsts in three weeks ago. But while the team-mates. ‘‘They’re amazing together,’’ ural champions in 2008 and their first win over New golf megastore Sydney tomorrow. goal shoot might have sunk ‘‘I wasn’t in the position to she said. returned to the playoffs last year Zealand’s most successful fran- Latu’s 93.3 per cent success every shot that night, there get the ball properly,’’ she said. ‘‘Obviously, we need to split as the minor premiers, their chise, the Waikato/Bay of • Live screen rate is the highest among the were only 17 of them before she ‘‘I need to be available, them apart, so they’re not as Auckland-based opponents are Plenty Magic. top 20 goal scorers in this was spelled for the final quarter because if they can’t see me, I effective. That’s going to be the having their first taste of Last month, they broke their simulator season’s ANZ Championship of a contest the Swifts won 53-46. can’t get the ball. It’s a bit of a key to our end.’’ semifinal netball. duck on Australian soil, edging • and she has had five perfect Although skipper Temepara combination of working with The Swifts and the Mystics Latu was unfazed about her out the West Coast Fever in Custom games in her 13 appearances. George has pointed to mistakes each other and being available.’’ finished the regular season team’s status as post-season Perth.