A phone call which changed Poi’s path
Kimiora Poi planned to play for Central’s second-tier team in 2018 until a move to the Tactix eventuated. By
A 2017 phone call from Marianne Delaney-Hoshek proved a lifealtering moment in Kimiora Poi’s netball career.
The 23-year-old centre is an emerging star of New Zealand netball, but it could have easily been very different.
Midway through 2017 it looked like Poi would be turning out for Central’s second-tier national league side the following season. Everything changed after a phone call from Mainland Tactix coach DelaneyHoshek.
She enquired whether Poi was keen to move to Christchurch and take up a contract with the Tactix, who had finished last in the inaugural ANZ Premiership season.
Surprisingly, DelaneyHoshek was the only rival premiership coach to sound out
Poi about her plans. She was offered a training partner spot at the Pulse with Silver Ferns Whitney Souness and Claire Kersten in front of her, and rising talents Mila ReueluBuchanan and Renee
Savai’inaea then in their squad.
‘‘Still to this day I think it was the best decision I’ve made netball career-wise so far. I don’t think if I had moved here I would be where I am today,’’ Poi said.
‘‘When I first moved here I was given court opportunities straight away and often young players when they move into this environment they’re on the bench for a few years.’’
Poi’s career has taken off since joining the Tactix in 2018.
She has started at centre in 54 of 55 games and thrived with significant court time and established connections with shooters Ellie Bird and Te Paea
Selby-Rickit.
Her performances haven’t gone unnoticed. Poi made her debut for the Silver Ferns against England in January 2019 and has gained seven test caps.
A short-term contract also came up in 2019 to finish the Australian Super Netball season with the Melbourne-based Collingwood Magpies.
Injuries saw her go from a bench player to starter, lining up alongside Australian Diamonds
Ash Brazill and Kim Ravaillion in an elimination final against the Vixens.
Poi was initially nervous about shifting south to play for the Tactix and being away from her loved ones.
Raised in the East Coast town of Tikitiki, two hours’ drive north of Gisborne, her family then moved to the Hawke’s Bay, where she attended Napier Girls’ High.
‘‘At the time I was in
Wellington [playing for the Central national league team and studying] and home was the Hawke’s Bay. I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I don’t know if I can move to another island, even further away’.
‘‘The thing that got me through that first little initial part was this is an opportunity I’ve been given. It’s the league you want to play in, in New Zealand, and I’ve been given this opportunity, so I need to take it.’’