Determined Tactix vow to keep fighting
Marianne Delaney-Hoshek and her Mainland Tactix players have pledged not to post a sympathy card to each other this season.
There’s a full deck to choose from, too. But Tactix coach Delaney-Hoshek isn’t wallowing in misery, and is confident her players won’t either.
Netball NZ has taken over the management of the Christchurch-based Tactix because Netball Mainland, which oversaw the ANZ Premiership franchise, went into voluntary liquidation in April.
It was Covid-19 that delivered the knockout blow to Netball Mainland, although the organisation had been struggling in recent years.
Now the Tactix, who won’t be able to employ near as many staff as other franchises because of the parlous financial situation, are preparing for the re-start of the competition which is slated to start June 19 and will be based in Auckland.
The Tactix are ready for training under alert level two and Delaney-Hoshek called a meeting yesterday to discuss with her players how to deal with the adversity caused by the pandemic.
‘‘It inspires us even more,’’ she said. ‘‘In terms of morale it is really good, and we are looking forward to the season ahead and doing it for the people that aren’t there and have supported us all the way through.
‘‘Because the sad thing for me is losing my manager and my assistant coach from paid positions. They have been amazing at their roles and we have had a real big turn around in how we have performed on court.’’
Staff, including DelaneyHoshek, are receiving the Government’s wage subsidy but everyone knows there’s a deadline on that. Players around New Zealand have taken pay cuts.
Delaney-Hoshek is grateful to still have a physiotherapist, something that was also off the menu until recently, and Netball NZ has arranged for fitness trainers to advise the players.
There’s no escaping the fact the Tactix are making sacrifices, though, even if the coach doesn’t want sympathy.
‘‘Other teams still have their managers and other staff, but we are just not in a position to have those at the moment.
‘‘It is a little bit sad we all can’t carry on, but that is what we are living in at the moment.’’
Despite the uncertainty, Delaney-Hoshek is grateful her staff are still tuning into Zoom calls to assist the players: ‘‘They are all still willing to muck in and help out when possible.’’
The 10-strong Tactix squad will be joined by four training partners, although the latter group won’t be able to be involved in the full training programme.
One coach and a physio are permitted to attend training, although it is hoped that number may be allowed to expand in the future.
Delaney-Hoshek is also thankful to Netball NZ for taking over the Mainland Netball operation, and the coach and players are expected to switch contracts to the national body in the future.
‘‘That is what has allowed us to play, really. They [Netball NZ] have taken over a lot of our commercial contacts and things like that, and the great thing is a lot of our sponsors are still behind us which is fantastic.’’
The task for the Tactix squad is to focus on what they can control. Although Netball NZ is yet to publicly release the competition draw, there’s expected to be double-headers in the 10-week format. Fatigue for all players could be an issue.
Getting stuck in is key, said Delaney-Hoshek.
‘‘If we don’t all do our job, then it will be catastrophic for netball going forward. We are just looking at it as a real positive that we can get back on the court.’’