Tutaia extends Mystics contract
WELLINGTON: Silver Ferns goal attack Maria Tutaia has signed on with the Northern Mystics for another two years.
Tutaia’s contract includes a provision which allows her to be rested if required during the 2018 season, which shapes as being particularly busy.
As well as the national premiership and postseason Super Club competition, 2018 will also include the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April and the Silver
Ferns’ international calendar.
Tutaia’s twoyear contract means she will also be eligible to play in her fourth World Cup in Liverpool in July, 2019.
Her signing ends speculation she would join former teammates Laura Langman, Leana de Bruin and Cathrine Tuivaiti in heading across the Tasman to play in the Australian Super Netball domestic league.
Netball NZ’s eligibility rules state that netballers must play in the Kiwi domestic premiership to be considered for the Silver Ferns.
Tutaia, who made her New Zealand debut in 2005, joined the Mystics in 2010 after two seasons with the Magic in the nowdefunct transtasman netball league.
The Mystics finished third in this year’s premiership, beaten 5952 by the Central Pulse in the elimination final.
‘‘Staying with the Mystics was a nobrainer for me, I have been so impressed with both the coaching and learning environment,’’ 30yearold Tutaia said in a statement.
‘‘I am excited about netball in New Zealand and where it is going and want to be part of it.’’
Netball Northern board chairwoman Dianne McAteer says the twoyear contract with Tutaia is important on a number of levels.
‘‘She is an iconic face of the Mystics and we are delighted to have such a worldclass player in our squad for the next two years.’’ — NZN