Metcalfe appointed new Magic coach
Foundation player and former Silver Fern Amigene Metcalfe is the new head coach of the Waikato-bop Magic.
Metcalfe takes over the role for the franchise for the 2019 ANZ Premiership from Margaret Forsyth, who had been in charge for the past two seasons but chose not to reapply for the position. Metcalfe was Forsyth’s assistant coach this season.
The Magic missed out on the Premiership playoffs this year as injuries played a part in their struggles.
‘‘Amigene is passionate about netball and about Magic netball,’’ Magic chief executive Rohan West said.
‘‘She knows the values and culture which is strong within our Magic family, and what it takes to lead a successful side having captained Waikato and Waikato-bop to national titles and finals. We are really excited to have someone with Amigene’s knowledge of the elite game and someone who has a strong connection with the players and also the region.’’
Metcalfe led Waikato to several titles as a player during the former National Bank Cup and captained the side during the inaugural ANZ Championship season.
West said they advertised the role and had four applicants – two international and two domestic – with Metcalfe gaining a two-year contract.
West admitted that the Magic’s efforts this year were ‘‘patchy’’.
‘‘There were some tremendous games – the Hobbiton Cup game against the Mystics looms large in the memory in terms of quality performance.
‘‘And then the disappointment of losing so many high-quality players through injury obviously had an impact. Losing Casey [Kopua] in the nature we did probably unsettled the team a little bit.
‘‘It’s very rare that Magic isn’t in the playoff hunt and we want to get back there straight away.’’