Tuivaiti departs but leaves behind titanic legacy
Former Silver Ferns star Cathrine Tuivaiti leaves a huge void in the Gold Coast Titans’ front court, however coach Temepara Bailey says her legacy remains through the young goal shooters who have fed off the veteran’s experience.
The 36-year-old has helped steer the Glitter Strip to the cusp of a maiden Sapphire Series title, orchestrating a 5-1 start to the campaign.
Tuivaiti will temporarily visit New Zealand before returning to Italy with her family having served out the duration of her Gold Coast stint.
Bailey said she believed the impact her star shooter has had on developing prospects Josie Bingham and Talitah Faifai would ensure the Titans stayed in the hunt for 2023 silverware.
“It’s fantastic that the league is structured in such a way that you can bring in a player of Cathrine’s calibre to be part of the Sapphire Series competition,” she said.
“We’ve got some wonderful local talent at the Titans and to be able to have a player of Cathrine’s talent and experience to help guide their development has been fantastic.
“I know our young shooters, in particular Josie Bingham and Talitah Faifai, will have learnt plenty from their time in the circle with Cathrine.
“She’s also worked with our Titans Academy players and it’s another benefit of our pathway program at the Titans that our young developing players can gain experience like this.
“As a club we want to thank Cathrine for her time on and off court with us and wish her well on her return to Italy.”
The Titans want a replacement for Tuivaiti for the rest of the competition.
No matter who comes in, Tuivaiti said she believed the current group had the makings of a premiership force as they seek to dominate the Sapphire Series landscape before eyeing a move into Super Netball.
“The potential of this group is huge,” Tuivaiti said.
“Being able to watch the girls train so hard and adapt to a playing style they weren’t always familiar with has been phenomenal
“While I have always loved this game, this particular group has managed to spark a little something else in my heart that I didn’t know I needed.”
The Gold Coast will look to bounce back from its first defeat of the season last week where they went down to the top of the table Jets when it takes on the ACU Brisbane North Cougars on Saturday night.