Kopua to return to the Magic

The Waikato-bay of Plenty Magic have announced their first lot of signings for next year’s new elite netball league, with Casey Kopua confirmed in the playing group.

The former Magic and Silver Ferns skipper was absent from this year’s trans-tasman league due to pregnancy and took on an assistant coaching role but after becoming a mother in May, the 31-year-old will return to the defensive circle.

Kopua is one of five signings for the team which last Friday announced Margaret Forsyth as their new coach, taking over from Julie Fitzgerald.

Shooter Monica Falkner, midcourters Grace Rasmussen and Sam Sinclair, and defender Kelly Jury are the others to have signed on for next year’s six-team New Zealand competition, with Falkner the only new face from this year’s squad.

Forsyth said she was delighted with the first group of signings. ‘‘This is wonderful news for the Magic,’’ she said. ‘‘These players have been part of the Magic family for a number of years and have developed in our environment under Julie Fitzgerald. ‘‘They will form the back bone of a strong team - something that the club has become renowned for and that we are determined to continue.’’

Forsyth said having the experience of Kopua and Rasmussen was a coup, labelling them as ‘‘very influential players and people within our environment’’. ‘‘Casey is one of world netball’s most experienced internationals and Grace is one of New Zealand’s more influential players and they will be the soul of the team,’’ she said. ‘‘They are both excellent with the younger players and great role models for netballers in our region.’’