Mystics Nation - Official Magazine of the Northern Mystics

What’s inside: • • • •

Issue No. 2 – April 2013

Coaching tips with Deb Fuller Meet the Newbies Mystics on the Move Road trip And so much more!

2

Welcome to our April Edition - What’s inside

Coach’s Corner A Few Words from Ruth

Hi there LG Mystics fans Well for those of you who watched the Mystics vs. Tactix double overtime game - I hope we kept you on the edge of your seat! As my sport-mad father would have said ... "What a great game, Ruth - just a bugger about the result!"

It was certainly strange coming up against my old running mate from Silver Ferns coaching days - Leigh Gibbs, now coach of Tactix. We have both had a lot of ups and downs together on the same bench, but while talking afterwards we were both delighted to be able to provide such a fantastic opportunity for the continued development of our youth in NZ netball ;- with each team fielding 3 players of U21 calibre. This includes pocket rocket WA, Peta Toeava, dynamic defender Jess Bourke, and Silver Fern Kayla Cullen, who is still eligible for World Youth Cup in Glasgow later this year. For the Tactix - Zoe Walker who donned the GK bib, Counties Manukau midcourt Kirsten Hurley and goal attack Sophia Fenwick.

They all acquitted themselves incredibly well and have also learned such a lot to put in their "netball kitbag" for pressure games to come.

Watch out for their names in the future.

While the LG Mystics team was hugely disappointed to fall short of the win, we have to take heart from the improvements that have been made in many areas of our performance and the fantastic fight back we showed after the below par first quarter.

As a coaching group, Kiri, Debs and I have already started sifting through the huge amount of statistical analysis that is created after any ANZ Championship game, the video footage, the coaches' subjective views, feedback from players .... and then really working quickly to prioritize what needs to be worked on at our trainings this week (no recovery day for coaches that's for sure!) We have a short week as our game was on Monday night and the Pulse game is at home for us on Sunday night - so the time pressure is even greater!

The reality is that the ANZ Championship is a tough teacher and we all need to keep learning and improving at an even faster rate! We have been heartened with some fantastic mail and messages from supporters reminding us to "Keep calm and carry on" and that's exactly what we will do!!! Keep working hard to grow the positives, and keep chipping away at the work on's .....unfortunately there's no magic remedy!

Looking forward to seeing you all "in a sea of blue" at Trusts Arena on Sunday for the Pulse match :) "Go Mystics"" Ruth

Issue No 2. – April 2013 www.northernmystics.co.nz

What’s Happening - On and Off The Court __________________________________________ And the winner is……………….

Huge thank you to al that entered our “Name our Magazine” competition. Congratulations to Jennie Kumar whose winning entry MYSTICS NATION , is now the official name of our online magazine.

A fantastic Mystics Supporters pack is on its way to you! ________________________________________________

Mystics on the Move – Bus trip to Magic Game All aboard, the Mystics are heading to Tauranga! Join us on the Mystics Bus and travel in style (well relative style) with like minded Mystics fans, as we head down to Tauranga to support our girls taking on the Waikato/BOP Magic ,Monday 24th June. Package will include travel and game ticket.

See page 6 for more details ______________________________________________________________

Merchandise – Unisex Hoodies and Tees To all of you have pre ordered your Mystics Unisex Hoodie or Tee – our ETA on this stock is 22nd of April (Stock has come from China to Sydney to AK) . Fantastic response to the new items, with half the stock order pre sold already! Pre sales are still available online, and remainder of stock will be available at our merchandise sales stand at all home games. www.lgmystics.co.nz for online store.

Thanks again for your support – great to see so many sold! ______________________________________________________

New Faces in the LG Mystics Meet our newest members of the LG Mystics . Hayley Saunders, Lavinia Vaitohi, Jess Bourke and Erikana Pedersen. See page 8 for player profiles

Mystics Nation - Armchair Army

Q&A

Our very own “Armchair Army” Mystics/Netball fans sharing their thoughts and opinions on recent topics Contributions from J.A (AK-NZ) , J.K (Cairns-Aus), S.B (AK-NZ) , S.D (AK-NZ), L.W (Gold Coast-Aus) , S.M (AK-NZ) , D.B (P/North-NZ)

Who is your stand out player in the Mystics and in the league so far and why?

“Grace! The Mystics have lost Temepara from the mid court and they really needed someone to step up. Grace has really stepped up into that leader roll, to be effective as a whole mid court I think the other players need to reach her level, but its early days for Kayla and Hayley” S.B “Maria Tutaia, The amount of work she is doing is incredible both on attack and defence, and with accuracy.

After the 1st 3 rounds she is one of the best Goal Attacks in the league, with a shooting accuracy of 76.9% with 80/104 attempts. What makes it particularly impressive is that she is frequently shooting from distance” D.B “Sulu Tone Fitzpatrick, she is showing great commitment in her attacking play” L.W “My stand out player so far is Grace Rasmussen. She has battled her way back to great form after having an untimely injury during the International season. Her work off the ball and her speed through the mid court area is so quick, and her touches on the feed into Latu and Tutaia are brilliant! At times her movement (and hairstyle) look very much like Temepara, its been lovely to see Grace in such great form” J.K “Jess Moulds. I feel she has big shoes to fill (Anna Harrison) and she is doing a great job!! In the league: Kimberley Ravaillion she's really taking charge and stepping up as a player”. S.D “Madison Browne: Continuing her dominance from 2012 into 2013. Her speed and connections with the shooters are amazing and is combining well with new C Elisa Macleod.”

D.B Is the game of netball as we know it changing?, (physicality, skill?) for better or worse?

Definitely changing! The skill is getting much better, the physicality is getting way worse, because of the rules. You can’t really expect the Aussie umpires to pull more as then there would be more whistle and everyone would just complain about that! S.M “It HAS changed already. Players are fitter and taller and more athletic. Skill is amazing. Physicality is an issue that needs to be addressed and much for the BETTER.” L.W

“The game of Netball has very much changed from a noncontact sport to a contact sport(what is semi-contact?). I do like the physicality in the modern game, more so since the inception of ANZ Championships, but rather than be skilful, I think its lost its skill. Rugby has gone through many changes to make the game safe without losing the skill of the sport. I would like netball to retain its skill level without having to lose its most basic of rules, contact(when we can unilaterally agree what contesting is) this problem will be an ugly memory. How this will be done, have no idea.. The game is moving at a much faster pace. The governing body and its officials will have to be more open to the sport's rapid changes. Its the sport of Netball that should be the winner, not who can flex their muscles more.” J.K “I believe the game is changing. It is definitely more physical.

Some of what we have seen this season is too physical. It comes at the expense of skill. and that's not good for the game. Until umpires start to control that, players will keep giving what they can get away with.” S.B “The game of netball is changing all the time as players are becoming fitter and stronger, as netball is slowly becoming more professional. Which I think means the game is becoming more skilful and faster, which makes it great to watch. The physicality has also increased which isn't all bad ,but it needs to be carefully policed and monitored so that it doesn't become out of hand as it has already at times this year. Player safety needs to be considered. It is inevitable that there is going to be contact when there are players competing for the ball, however there is a difference between going for the ball and deliberate contact. It is often the stuff that occurs off the ball which often can't be seen on TV which looks the worst!” D.B

At this stage of the season, who are your picks for the top four spots?

“My outrageous bias/loyalty will not allow me to answer this question...” J.A “Top four: ideally : Mystics Fever, Firebirds, Tactix.

Realistically: Vixens, Thunderbirds, Firebirds, Fever.” S.D “My top 4 picks after seeing the first 3 rounds Vixens, Magic, FBirds, Fever- as the table sits My top 4 picks for the end of the season Magic, Vixens, TBirds, Pulse.” S.B “Vixens, Pulse, Magic, Firebirds” L.W “Firebirds,Magic,Vixens,Fever” J.K

Issue No.2 April 2013

www.northernmystics.co.nz

3

4

M.K.R – Mystics Kitchen Rules

Need a quick and easy meal ….

Anna Harrison shares one of her favorite recopies.

Caramel Chicken Thighs Serves 4 Ingredients 4 Tegel skinless chicken thigh cutlets 2 tbsp cooking oil 2 tbsp fish sauce 1 medium onion, sliced 3 cloves garlic, sliced ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup light soy sauce 2 tbsp palm sugar, grated (or brown sugar) ¼ - ½ cup water Juice from 1 lime Lime wedges to garnish Method Place the chicken in a bowl with the oil, fish sauce, onion, garlic and pepper. Toss to combine.

Heat large frying pan over medium high heat. Add chicken pieces and brown. Add soy sauce.

Cover pan, reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Increase the heat to med-high, add palm sugar, water and lime juice.

Cook uncovered for 3 - 4 minutes, or until the sauce is rich and syrupy and chicken is cooked through.

Garnish with lime wedges and coriander, and serve.

Insert ANZ Ad

6

Mystics On The Move – Bus Trip to Magic Game

Mon 24th June TECT Arena - Tauranga

V

Thanks to the team at Harvey World Travel Henderson, join us on a road trip to Tauranga to support the LG Mystics as they take on Waikato/BOP Magic.

Be part of our home away from home crowd, cheering our girls on in the last round robin game of our draw – Monday 24 June. th

Register your interest now by simply emailing tash.osborne@lgmystics.co.nz with the following info: • • • •

Name : Contact number : Single or Group Registration: Adult/Child : *Once you have registered we will update you with cost, travel times etc.

Registrations of interest due Friday 10th May - spaces are limited.

Issue No 2. - April 2013

www.northernmystics.co.nz

Coaching Blog - Debbie Fuller

7

Debbie Fuller - Blog Shares her tips and new ideas in the world of coaching.

I have been asked to put something in about grassroots netball. I dragged out my old books from when I coached intermediate and high school level and concluded that I spent most of my early coaching days flying by the seat of my pants!

Also I recall being very reactive, as you get into the season often missing the opportunity for sessions to be streamlined.

Coaching school level is great fun, the thrill of working with young athletes is that they have yet to cement set ideas about how they should be playing. In addition, the mind-set is open and enthusiasm high with a drive to be better.

Of course there are the dramas, but these can be superseded when the focus is on being better each week and gossip is muted by talk about performance. School tournaments are extremely powerful, as they introduce athletes to competition, rivalry, team values and responding fast to situations under pressure.

As a coach you want to get it as right as possible, you

ultimately want your team to have a ‘GSE – great sporting experience’, you want to provide them with an environment where they can be themselves and reach their potential.

I recently helped a friend plan a high school A team, season training schedule. The objective of the season was to reach peak performance at the week-long secondary school Winter Tournament increasing their placing from last year. The objective of winning was debated and it was concluded that there were too many variables outside of our control, therefore, ‘constant improvement and learning’ was the key theme, even if this meant learning what not to do.

We planned in 4 weekly stages - Stage 1 - General development of strength, mobility, endurance and basic technique. Stage 2 Development of specific fitness and advanced technical skills. Stage 3 - Competition experience and reviews. Stage 4 - Technical focus preparation for performance Stage 5 - Competing to perform.

This is a very brief example/template for planning of stage 1.

TEAM GOALS: TO IMPROVE OUR INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM SKILLS WEEKLY. TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS OPEN, FUN AND ADVANCING OUR NETBALL. TO INCREASE PLACING AT WINTER TOURNAMENT FROM X IN 2012.

TEAM BEHAVIOURS AND ACTIONS TO SUPPORT THIS: XXXXXXXXXXX TERM 1 WEEK1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 STAGE General development of strength, mobility, endurance and basic technique INTENSITY

Easy

WEEK FOCUS

How good are my basic skills?

PHYSICAL

Testing – applied testing to netball power, agility, aerobic base, flexibility.

Identify team nutritional/ hydration guidelines.

TACTICAL

Understanding of positional requirements.

Identify key principles of each position and note the primary task each position needs to complete.

E.g. Centre, release centre pass accurately. GS, be available for ball at all times.

TECHNICAL

Skills assessment of players - passing (chest, lob, right and left, overhead, bounce, length of pass, speed of pass over distances, with deception, with pressure, creating targets etc.), catching (standing, on the run, off balance, one handed, with contact, with restricted landing space, right and left side, fully extended etc.) ,movement offence (getting free, in a restricted area, in open space, with 1 opponent with 2 opponents etc.) and defence (restricting opponents movement, tipping ball, intercepting, marking the shot, marking the pass, anticipation etc.) , shooting technique etc. Video skill set for comparative use at a later date.

MENTAL

Assessment of athlete mental factors – Self-confidence, self-image, concentration and ability to focus under pressure. Self-selected ratings with evidence of situations experienced.

1.

Warm up relative movement patterns to session, must achieve high anaerobic blast at the end.

2.

Flexibility -Stretching active 3.

Circuit of basic ball drills - in pairs 30 seconds on 30 off for 12mins.

4.

Sub groups – GS,GA,WA, C and WD, GD, GK, basic skills passing catching turning attacking defending.

5.

Game situation (e.g., 3 on 3 in 1 third) Measure high anaerobic intensity (how hard are they working – take pulse for 6 seconds and x by 10).

6.

Warm down, full stretch, injury prevention in pairs 7.

Core stability group work

TRAINING 1

Medium

Hard

TRAINING 2 EVALUATION

Issue No 2. - April 2013

www.northernmystics.co.nz

Recovery Testing

8

New Faces in the LG Mystics – A quick profile

Name

Hayley Saunders

Erikana Pedersen

Jess Bourke

Lavinia Vaitohi

Nickname

Hays, Saundo

Kana

Bourkey

Nia

Place of Birth

Gore

Auckland

Auckland

Auckland

D.O.B

1989

1994

1993

1990

Height

1.79m

1.73m

1.83m

1.87m

Playing Positions

WD/C/GD

WD/C/WA

GD,GK

GA,GS,WA

Career Highlights

Fastnet 2010, NZ Accelerant 2011

Winning NNSS Nationals

NZSS, NZ U21

Mystics Training partner in 2012

Best thing about playing netball

Travel and the Friendships

The friends you make along the way

Making new friends for life

Playing with and against the best.

Meeting players I looked up to when I was young.

Favourite Movie

Remember The Titans, Notebook, Step Brothers

Love and Basketball, The Dream house

Anything !

The Hobbit

Other interests

Baking, Reading, Socialising

Watching Tim Tebow

Baking Food, Cooking Food, Eating Food

Love hanging out with family and friends

Favourite Music

Florence and the Machine, Cold Play, Lana Del Ray

Hiphop, R n B

Rhianna, Azealia Banks, Lana Del Ray,A$AP Rocky

Reggae

Role Model/Hero

Kayla Cullen!!

Adine Wilson

Mum and Dad!

My mother, for all her hard work , providing for me, my siblings and her grandkids.

Favourite food

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate

Sushi

Mexican

Love ALL Foods

Issue No 2. - April 2013

www.northernmystics.co.nz

2013 LG Mystics Home Draw

Issue No 2. – April

2013

www.northernmystics.co.nz

9

Competition Time – Name the Mini Mystics

11

MINI MYSTICS Can you match the Mystic Player to their baby pic?

Match all 10 then email your answers to tash.osborne@lgmystics.co.nz All correct entries will go into the draw for one of three great Mystics prizes. Entries close Monday 6th of May 2013

Mini Mystic # 2

Mini Mystic # 3 Mini Mystic # 1

Mini Mystic # 5

Mini Mystic # 10 Mini Mystic # 8 Mini Mystic # 7

Mini Mystic # 9

Match the following players to their Mini Mystics Picture Number : Charlotte Kight – Grace Rasmussen – Julie Corletto – Maria Tutaia – Jess Bourke – Bailey Mes – Cat Latu – Erikana Pedersen – Jess Moulds – Anna Harrison Answers and Winners will be published in May Edition of “Mystics Nation” Issue No 2. - April 2013

www.northernmystics.co.nz

12

Be in to win with the LG Mystics on Game Day LG Mystics Home Game Fun!!

Check out the great competitions and fun at all of our home games

Classic Hits Tee Shirt Gun During the half time break, Ben from Classic Hits is out there with his custom designed tee shirt gun, Ben loves is when you make some noise! So be loud and proud when you see Ben on court and a tee might be coming your way! ______________________________________________

Win with LG Electronics Congratulations all our winners so far to who were lucky enough to be part of our LG Half Time Activation. Each season our fantastic naming right sponsors LG Electronics, give away amazing LG Electronics products at all of our home games, during the half time break.

Will it be a new LG TV, a Microwave, or a new DVD player? Come along to our home games to find out more, and more importantly, be in to win! _________________________________________

Are you the Mystics Biggest Fan ?

We want you in Blue! Be at any of our six home games, in your best Mystic supporters outfit .Thanks to the team at Nikon, you could be spotted in the crowd and win your very own NIKON1 J1 camera worth $1199.00 !! So get out your blue wigs, face paint, hats, glasses anything blue!

Merchandise – Online & Home Games

13

LG MYSTICS REPLICA DRESS

LG MYSTICS UNISEX HOODIE

LG MYSTICS UNISEX TEE

Kids $70.00 Kids Sizes 8-14

Kids $55.00 Sizes 8-14 Adults $65.00 Sizes Sm-3XL

Kids $35.00 Sizes 8-14 Adults $40.00 Sizes Sm-3XL

LG MYSTICS REPLICA TEE

LG MYSTICS BALL SIZE 5

MAGNET & KEY RING COMBO

Adults $60.00 Sizes 8-22

$25.00

$15.00 FOR SET

LG MYSTICS CLAPPER

LG MYSTICS BALL SIZE 3

LG MYSTICS SCARF

$2.50

$20.00

$20.00

Issue No 2. – April 2013

www.northernmystics.co.nz

14

LG Mystics Biggest Fan – with Nikon

Are you the Mystics biggest Fan? Well, we want you in blue! Be at any of our 6 home games in your best Mystics supporter outfit and be in to win with the LG Mystics and Nikon

LG Mystics – 2013 Sponsors

15

2013 Player Sponsors

Harvey World Travel

Keith Nelson & Associates

MILK Tailor Made Books

If your company would like more info on Player Sponsorship opportunities please email info@lgmystics.co.nz

The Flying Herons

Auckland Drape Company Issue No.2 – April 2013

www.northernmystics.co.nz