Latest news with #MainlandTactix
Otago Daily Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Heffernan vows to return
Kate Heffernan. Southern Steel co-captain Kate Heffernan will miss more rounds of the ANZ Premiership after hyperextending her knee. Heffernan, who missed the opener against the Mainland Tactix on Sunday, hurt her knee at training last week but is expected to return this season. Steel physio Stacey Allan said there was a robust recovery plan and Heffernan was making "positive progress" as they worked towards her return. While disappointed, Heffernan said her focus was on getting back on court. "Unfortunately, injuries are one of the realities of elite sport, but that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking not to be able to get out there with my team," Heffernan said. "We have all worked incredibly hard during the preseason and deserve to reap the rewards of that now the competition has started. "Watching from the sidelines definitely fuels my determination. I will be following the expert advice of our medical team to the letter and doing everything in my power to play as soon as I get the green light, but I know I have to be patient." The Silver Fern travelled to the Steel's opening game in a leadership role. "Naturally I want to be out there playing my part, but I have the utmost faith in our entire squad to get the job done regardless of who is wearing the bibs." The Steel head to Hamilton to play the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Monday.
RNZ News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
ANZ Premiership: Injury-riddled Northern Stars too strong for Mainland Tactix
Paris Lokotui in action for Mainland Tactix. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Injury-riddled Northern Stars have proved too strong for Mainland Tactix, leading for all but the opening 12 minutes to prevail 57-52 in their ANZ Premiership encounter at Auckland's Pulman Arena. The home side led by as many as 10 points in the final quarter, before a flurry of two-point goals in the final minutes, narrower the eventual margin. Towering Aussie shooter Charlie Bell dominated at the attacking end for the Stars, converting 40/44 (90.9 percent) attempts at goal, including three from long range. At the other end, Martina Salmon slotted 36/43 (83.7 percent) for the Tactix, but the Stars defenders also proved effective, with goal defence Liviwa Tokaduadua grabbing five of their seven intercepts. The Stars lost several players to injury during a torrid home derby against Northern Mystics last week, with former Silver Fern Kayla Johnson summoned from retirement to help fill the void. Johnson logged 16 minutes at wing defence across the third and fourth quarters. The result leaves both teams with a win and a loss from their two rounds, trailling the defending champion Mystics, who have two wins. Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic host Southern Steel in Hamilton on Monday, both still searching for their first wins of the season. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog:
RNZ News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
ANZ Premiership live updates: Stars v Tactix
Paris Lokotui in action for Mainland Tactix. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ While Mainland Tactix had a positive start to their campaign last weekend with a win over Southern Steel, Northern Stars lost their derby match with Northern Mystics in convincing fashion. Play starts at 4pm. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog:
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
'Positive progress' but Heffernan out for more games
Kate Heffernan will miss more games for the Southern Steel this year. Photo: Blake Armstrong/Michael Bradley Photography Southern Steel co-captain Kate Heffernan will miss the opening rounds of the ANZ Premiership after hyperextending her knee. Heffernan, who missed the opener against the Mainland Tactix on Sunday, hurt her knee at training last week but is expected to return this season. Steel physio Stacey Allan said there was a robust recovery plan and Heffernan was making ''positive progress'' as they worked towards her return. While disappointed, Heffernan said her focus was on getting back on court. ''Unfortunately, injuries are one of the realities of elite sport but that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking to not be able to get out there with my team,' Heffernan said. 'We have all worked incredibly hard during the preseason and deserve to reap the rewards of that now the competition has started. 'Watching from the sidelines definitely fuels my determination. I will be following the expert advice of our medical team to the letter and doing everything in my power to play as soon as I get the green light, but I know I have to be patient.' The Silver Fern travelled with the team in a leadership role to their opening game. 'Naturally I want to be out there playing my part, but I have the utmost faith in our entire squad to get the job done regardless of who is wearing the bibs.'' The Steel head to Hamilton to play the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Monday.
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Wilkins acknowledges Broughton's influence as opener looms
Donna Wilkins. Photo: Luisa Girao Mainland Tactix coach Donna Wilkins reckons her late mentor would be having a wee giggle this week. Wilkins was a key player in the Robyn Broughton era at the Southern Steel - and the Southern Sting - and the Central Pulse, as was her sidekick, Tactix assistant Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit. The duo will come up against their good friends and former team-mates, new Steel coach Wendy Frew and assistant Liana Leota, in their ANZ Premiership opener on Sunday. There are Broughton influences everywhere you look this season. Northern Stars coach Temepara Bailey and assistant Leana de Bruin also spent time under her. ''She's probably looking down on us thinking 'what are you all doing? Have you not got a life outside of netball - you're all still there','' Wilkins laughed. ''I'm sure she'd be having a wee giggle, but also really proud. ''There's a huge influence right throughout the country in netball with us giving back and I think that's what it's about. ''A lot of us have been coached for a number of years from Robbie and just giving back, and sharing her passion and knowledge a wee bit. ''A lot of our drills have come from the days of back under her guidance... it's always one of Robbie's, or we adapt something, which is really neat.'' Wilkins, who steps up to Tactix head coach after being a specialist coach for the past three years and replaces Marianne Delaney-Hoshek, was happy with where her side was at after five preseason games. ''There's always room for improvements, but I think they're ready now. ''There's only so much of preseason that you can mentally handle and I know that from being a player as well. ''You just want to get that first game under your belt and this season is no different.'' Every game counts this season with the competition cut back from three rounds to two, and Wilkins was thrilled they could open their campaign at home. ''With the shorter season, and only having 10 games, it makes a home-court advantage really, really important.'' Wilkins, who relocated from Southland to Canterbury for the Tactix, said she was ''quite pleased'' her first game as head coach was against the Steel. She and Frew had been sounding boards for each other stepping into their new roles. ''It's quite funny. Wendy and I have been laughing on the phone about it. ''We've kept in close contact throughout... and helping each other a wee bit, which is nice. ''We're all in there for the same goal of helping netball grow and being the best we can be. ''Looking forward to going up against Wendy - not so much looking forward to the fact most of her relatives are coming.'' The inaugural Hutton Family Trophy will also be on the line, honouring former Sting player Megan Hutton and her sister, Canterbury Flame Kelly, who died of ovarian cancer in 2023. The trophy with be contested between the two South Island teams throughout the season.
