Losing ‘stigma’ huge barrier for the Tactix
Former Silver Ferns captain Belinda Colling wonders whether the Mainland Tactix will ever turn it around given the losing ‘stigma’ and negativity associated with the franchise.
The embattled Tactix are 0-5 to begin the new ANZ Premiership and coach Sue Hawkins announced her resignation on Monday, having won just three of 31 matches in charge.
Netball Mainland chief executive Brigit Hearn denied Hawkins, who was contracted through to the end of 2018, was pushed by the board to step down. Assistant Marianne Delaney-Hoshek will coach the side over the rest of the season.
Colling, who captained the talented Canterbury Flames side, said one of the biggest issues confronting the Tactix was their losing ‘stigma’ over the past decade, which made it challenging to attract top New Zealand players.
‘‘There’s a stigma about the Tactix. You do have to do something quite significant to change that and perhaps that’s what changing the coach mid-season might be a catalyst for.
‘‘That stigma, they really need to move on from that and that’s going to be such a challenge for them.’’
Colling was surprised Hawkins had stepped down mid-season, which is rare for New Zealand netball. She was curious about the decision to grant her a twoyear extension last August, considering she had only won three matches in her first two seasons.
The former Australian shooter was unable to entice leading names to the Tactix, which has been a constant issue over the years.
Colling did feel for Hawkins, who like Tactix coaching predecessors Leigh Gibbs and Helen Mahon-Stroud, had been left largely with players unwanted by other teams.
‘‘Sue, it’s unfortunate for her, but I don’t think a coach stepping down is the only answer to the solution.’’
Colling played in a dominant era of Canterbury netball. She was dismayed by the lack of promising young Christchurch netballers being produced and filtering through into the Tactix.
Veteran goal attack Anna Thompson is the only homegrown Christchurch player in the team with Charlotte Elley [Westport], Zoe Walker [Nelson], Nicola Mackle [Timaru] and Kate Lloyd [Ashburton] hailing from other Mainland centres.
‘‘There hasn’t been success in players coming through. To me, it’s more than just the coach.
‘‘What’s happening beneath that. Canterbury aren’t producing topline Silver Ferns or topline netballers. What’s going on from a region that has been a powerhouse for netball and we’re talking 10 years now, where that has been the case.’’
Quizzed on whether Netball New Zealand needed to step in and sort out the Tactix, Colling said it was up to Netball Mainland to be open in asking for help.
With the Crusaders rugby franchise also in Christchurch, Colling suggested it would be wise to pick their brains and see what made them so successful.
Netball New Zealand couldn’t just ‘‘wave a magic wand to everything’’ to fix the Tactix.
‘‘I don’t think Netball New Zealand stepping in, what are they going to do that’s any different.’’
Delaney-Hoshek will coach the Tactix for the first time against the Northern Stars this weekend during the Super Sunday round with all three matches in Invercargill.
Colling noted it would be unfair to expect her to instantly turn the Tactix into winners, but a fresh voice and change in leadership might help lift the players.
‘‘[Delaney-Hoshek] is a really positive person and that’s probably going to be what they need the most, the Tactix. She should have the experience and knowledge she needs, but it’s not going to be easy.’’
Delaney-Hoshek has been coaching Mainland’s second tier Beko League team, who have won three of their first four games this season.
If Tactix players weren’t performing, Colling believed Delaney-Hoshek wouldn’t be afraid to call up Mainland Beko players like shooter Ellie Bird and give them a chance to impress.
‘‘She’s got to give some of those players the experience now, thinking big picture moving forward, because they will have to make some changes in their playing roster next season.’’ *What’s your solution and what needs to change? Email brendon.egan@fairfaxmedia.co.nz