Tactix squad playing for contracts
The Mainland Tactix squad are playing for their futures over the final seven games.
With a top three finals berth out of reach for the 0-8 Tactix, the organisation will already be thinking about next year and what players are a priority to retain.
Netball’s cellar dwellers need an infusion of talent in several positions and with only 10 contracted spots, some players won’t be back.
Experienced English shooter Kadeen Corbin hasn’t worked out and didn’t even get on the court in Sunday’s 61-55 loss to the Steel. Given the encouraging play of rookie goal shoot Ellie Bird, who provides a valuable target with her 1.94m height, the Tactix will no doubt use their import slot in another area of the court next year.
Coach Marianne DelaneyHoshek is also trying to impress the board and prove she deserves the job on a full-time basis after replacing Sue Hawkins, who resigned three games ago.
The Tactix have indicated they will advertise for the head coaching role at the end of the season to see who is out there. Delaney-Hoshek, who has stated she wants the job long-term, has already got the side playing with greater confidence and flair.
She acknowledged players did have an extra incentive to perform with contracts for 2018 on the line.
‘‘I’m sure it’s something that goes through their heads at some stage. We’re just trying to stick to what the task is now.
‘‘Obviously, as the weeks go on, we need to start thinking about that. As a coach, you try and think broadly, but for now we need to focus on this time and moment and make the best of the rest of the season.’’
Fresh off their finest outing of 2017, where they pushed the unbeaten Steel all the way and threatened to cause a monumental upset, the Tactix face the Central Pulse at Horncastle Arena on Monday [7.40pm start].
The Tactix produced some entertaining netball, scoring 55 goals, the most in a game this season, while also generating a steady amount of defensive ball.
Their front third of Bird, goal attack Brooke Leaver and wing attack Anna Thompson functioned effectively and Delaney-Hoshek was considering starting them.
Bird, a member of Mainland’s second tier Beko League team, has been highly impressive, landing 56/64 (88 per cent) in her two matches since being promoted.
Opposition sides will be starting to pay greater attention to Bird and identifying flaws in an attempt to combat her.
Delaney-Hoshek said it was important to provide her with constructive feedback, clear plans and ’’change things up’’ if defenders were frustrating her.
She will face the biggest test of her fledgling career against the Pulse duo of Silver Ferns’ captain Katrina Grant and Phoenix Karaka.
On Monday, it will have been 380 days and 16 matches since their last victory in a competition match, achieved against the Pulse in Wellington last May.
Delaney-Hoshek believed they were tracking in the right direction and getting closer to chalking up an elusive win.
‘‘If we can just focus on playing good netball and everyone doing their role and keeping up their intensity for that full 60 [minutes] and what to do in those critical moments, then the outcome shouldn’t be far away.’’
Meanwhile, Netball Mainland has taken an innovative approach to the Tactix assistant coach role, introducing a variety of specialist coaches to work with the team for the rest of the campaign.
Former Silver Fern and exTactix player and assistant Julie Seymour will work with the team at home games. Delaney-Hoshek will also visit some successful sporting franchises over the coming months.