Edition 2 2014
What’s Happening On and Off The Court
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Welcome to Mystics Nation – Official online magazine of the Northern Mystics
Coach’s Corner
Mid Season Review Round 1 - 10
It’s fair to say that when we started we didn’t gel as a team and it was my job as coach to look at what caused this and to find the gaps in our environment, information, culture and programme. It is important to note that “synergy” and “form” are very important in netball because the momentum can swing throughout a game and unless you have a collective clarity about how you play, it can be tough to manage We went into the Vixens game determined to execute, yet found ourselves making errors and it was tough for us to score. To recover from a 23-goal loss in Aussie and come up against a confident Magic side was a challenge. We had to dust off the loss and regroup quickly. It was important to realise that things can change overnight in this competition, and instead of going into overdrive we needed to focus on tangible on-court processes that would help us score and create more defensive pressure. We focused on the centre pass, both on attack and defence. The Pulse game was a much better performance as we played with more clarity, even though we lost again. It was a reality check and we had to ensure we committed to the processes, avoided the default behaviours of division and blame and kept positive. This competition is a cauldron, but the pressure is all part of being in an elite team that represents a proud netball zone. We understand accountability, however we must first focus on what we can control – how we play the game. The Thunderbirds game was our breakthrough. It gave us back our faith in each other and our flow. It was another reminder of how tough this competition is. The positive was that we ran down a big margin, even though we didn’t close out the game. Once again our total focus was on where the gaps were and what needed fixing. Our game against the Steel (round 6) was hugely rewarding because the netball we put on court was consistent. We managed pressure better, negated ball to their goal shoot at crucial times and scored with skill and commitment. Onwards and upwards.
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Like many fans of the Mystics – and the team itself – I was gutted to lose Sunday’s game to the Steel (round 10). Next week I will be driving the team to sustain the great netball we are capable of for the full 60 minutes. In the third quarter against Steel, we went on a six-goal run, then made errors and let them score a six against us. We came back at times, but couldn’t match their accuracy on attack and turnover on defence. We were really upset at this result, as I know our supporters were. How did we let our performance slip and why did we hand Steel their best game of the season? We can’t compete with the best sides in this competition if we can’t be consistent and execute under all circumstances. I never question my team’s desire to win. To me, striving to win is more important than winning. You can play averagely for most of a game (for example, our game against the Tactix in Christchurch) and win and you can play some great netball and lose (our game against Magic in Hamilton). In general, we have success when we can play the game on our terms and when we can’t, we struggle. We are fully aware we have underperformed for our supporters this season and accept responsibility for that. Despite the inconsistency, I wouldn’t want to be doing this with any other group of athletes as I firmly believe I couldn’t have a better team to coach. Improvement must come from everyone in the team, including me. We have to make sure our next outing is a big improvement from Sunday – for us and our disappointed supporters. The 20 minutes of flat netball we played is not who we are and we have a chance in 10 days to redeem ourselves when we play Pulse in Palmerston North. We are fully capable of playing some great netball and I believe when our intensity is high, structures clear and our determination to work and play through every scenario is ticked off we will have success. Debbie Fuller (Debs) Head Coach Northern Mystics
Talented Teen Cool Under Pressure – Temalisi Fakahokotau
Focused young netballer Temalisi Fakahokotau is lapping up her time with the Northern Mystics. Fakahokotau always knew her first forays into top-level trans-Tasman netball would be “scary”. But there was no hint of trepidation when the 19-year-old defender stepped onto the court at a critical time during the Northern Mystics’ game against the Adelaide Thunderbirds on March 24. And no sign of nerves, given she was up against the ANZ Championship title-holders who were enjoying a 16-matching winning streak – and she was brought on during make-or-break extra time. The young defender made two crucial plays while marking shooter Carla Borrego, helping the Mystics edge past the reigning champions and take the match 71-68. The upset win, at the team’s home stadium, The Trusts Arena in Henderson, was their first of the season. A week before, she had faced another daunting task – marking one of netball’s all-time great shooters, Silver Fern legend Irene van Dyk.
After Temalisi’s three stints in the pressure cooker that is the ANZ Champs – she also came on in the game against the Magic – she’s “hungrier than ever” for more top-level netball. And there’s no question of her focus and where her priorities lie. She’s unequivocal: “Parties? That’s not me. They’re not my thing.” Life consists of the Mystics, her AUT studies towards a teaching qualification and her family – seven brothers, one sister and her mum and dad. Her family, she says, is her greatest support and her parents are among the Mystics fans at The Trusts Arena willing on the team. “They were pretty stoked I got on court,” she says of her game against the Pulse. “My dad usually has a tear in his eye when he sees me play.” Now she’s hoping there will be more chances for her parents to see her play and, of course, to celebrate more wins for the Mystics
“First I was nervous, but when I went on court I had to focus on what I had to do,” says Temalisi, who started at goal keep in the team’s clash against the Pulse – and promptly took an intercept. “It was awesome playing against Irene van Dyk. I remember playing against her the first time [during last year’s pre-season] and it was really hard, but I had a bit more confidence this time.” And it showed. The former New Zealand schoolgirl and current under-21 development squad member took two more intercepts and managed two deflections in the first half before making way for Jess Tuki in the third quarter. And while her team didn’t achieve the win they were so desperately hunting, going down 53-47 to the Pulse, Temalisi says that game was a major step forward from the previous two, although there was “still a lot to work on”. The former Westlake Girls High School student is relishing her time with the Mystics – and playing alongside senior players, including goal defence Julie Corletto, who she’s been partnering in the circle. “She’s an amazing person. She really helps me, really inspires me,” she says of the Australian Diamond. ”It’s so cool having her there, telling me what I’m doing well and what I can improve on.”
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Mystics On The Move – Harvey World
Travel
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Mystics help fire affected family – Elaina Moulds
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“If it weren’t for our community and the Mystics family, I’d still be sitting at our old burnt down home saying ‘what do we do next?’” Tina Ball was milking her father’s cows on January 17, near her Paparoa home when she was called and told that her house was on fire. The 35-year-old farm assistant rushed home to try and salvage what she could but the fire had consumed almost the entire three-storey building she and her family called home for almost two years. Thankfully, none of her “netball-crazed” children were home but all their Mystics memorabilia was lost as well as their school’s netball gear stored at the house. “I think that was the worst thing. It wasn’t just us this affected. It was all the girls at school who play netball. All the dresses, balls, bibs and things; all gone,” Ms Ball said. The news spread fast and the community all chipped in with clothes, furniture and other donations to help the family get back on their feet. “A woman let us buy an entire house worth of furniture for $5,000 and let us pay it off,” she said. When the Mystics got hold of the story through an exMystics player, a friend of the Balls, a whirlwind of support started and came to a head at the Mystics versus Tactix game in late March. Mystic’s management and their major sponsor, Barfoot and Thompson, organised a surprise pre-game presentation for Tina and her two daughters Stevie-Raye, six, and Cheyanne, 15, which included a $5,000 donation. Mystic’s communication manager Tash Osborne said when they heard the Ball’s situation it broke their heart. “When our sponsor Barfoot and Thompson heard of the story, they were just as shocked as us,” she said. “Our supporters are part of the Mystics family so we knew we had to help them.” Barfoot and Thompson had no hesitation in donating $3,000 directly to the family and $2,000 to the Otamatea High School netball club to help with the funding of gear. “The thing that touched us first of all was not just the family losing all their treasured memories; the school lost out because of it,” a Barfoot and Thompson spokesman said. “We knew roughly how much dresses cost so worked it out accordingly.”
Peter Thompson (Barfoot and Thompson) , Tina Ball and her daughters Stevie-Raye and Cheyanne (right) ecstatic to be receiving gifts from their favourite team
Six year old Stevie-Raye delivering the ball to start the match
Coincidentally, the game fell on Stevie-Raye’s sixth birthday, a perfect occasion to make her the ball-runner and to replace her beloved Mystics dress lost in the fire. “She was ecstatic. But when she went to deliver the ball she just went blank. I think it was all a bit overwhelming for her,” Ms Ball said. Mystics’ defender Kayla Cullen was happy the Ball family were being supported. She wrote on her Facebook page “I hope the netball community can help them rebuild their collection and also restore a slice of happiness to their lives.” Tina, also the president of the Otamatea High School netball club found out just hours before the game the school had won additional funding from ANZ to help rebuild their netball kit. “It’s just amazing. I’m a bit emotional because when it all happened I thought our netball year would be ruined. Now it’s looking to be one of the best so far.” Written by Elaina Moulds
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Mystics Milestones – so far this season
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Laura Langman Sunday 20th of April saw the Northern Mystics head to Hamilton to take on the Waikato/BOP Magic. This game marked an impressive milestone for mid court star, Laura Langman, 100 consecutive games in the ANZ Championship League. Fitting that it hits on the game/team where she played the majority of those 100 games. Langman is the first player in the ANZ Championship to crack the 100 game milestone.
Julie Corletto Defender Julie Corletto has been named in the Australian Diamonds for the upcoming 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Australian Diamonds:
Laura Geitz /Bianca Chatfield /Caitlin Bassett /Tegan Caldwell/Julie Corletto /Kimberlee Green /Renae Hallinan Sharni Layton /Natalie Medhurst/Kimberley Ravaillion/ Madison Robinson /Caitlin Thwaites
ANZ Championship – Rounds 1-10
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Northern Mystics Home Games – Game day Info
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We have seven home games in 2014 and each is packed with pre game fun , competitions and activities for the whole family. So check out below what you can do at a Northern Mystic Home Game.
Have your face painted in Mystics colours
Visit the MITA stand, get your hair styled, and enter to win $300 worth of MITA products
The Team at AUT have all the info you will need to start your studies and your future. “At AUT’s South Campus you can begin to realise your dream”
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New Northern Mystics Supporters Merchandise
Welcome on board to our newest sponsors
Courtside Singlet Adult $70.00 (Sm/Med/L/XL/2XL) Kids $60.00 (10 – 14)
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1/2 Chest 1/2 Waist Back Length
S 55.5 55.5 77.25
M 58 58 79
Adult Sizes L 60.5 60.5 80.5
New Design Size 5 Netball $30.00
XL 63 63 82
2XL 65.5 65.5 83.5
1/2 Chest 1/2 Waist Back Length
10 44 44 59
Kids Sizes 12 14 48 53 48 53 64.5 75.5
Mystics Netball Key Ring $8.00
Check out our full range available at all home games or online www.northernmystics.co.nz
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Welcome on board to our newest sponsors
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Northern Mystics Home Games – Game day Info
Are you the Mystics biggest fan? We want you in blue! Be at any of our 7 home games in your best Mystics supporters outfit and be in to win with Nikon.
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