Tactix Denied Second Import Player for 2016   23 Jun 2015

Tactix Denied Second Import Player for 2016

Media Release
23 June 2015

The Mainland Tactix will feature just one import player for the 2016 ANZ Championship season for the first time since 2011.

Netball Mainland’s application to TTNL (ANZ Championship) for an exemption to contract a second import player for the 2016 ANZ Championship season has been declined by TTNL as the application was not supported by Netball New Zealand (NNZ).

Netball Mainland CEO Brigit Hearn said the decision was made as NNZ didn’t want to block a domestic player pathway.

“We are clearly not at all happy with the decision but it is one that we have to live with and we will continue to look to develop our young talent,” Hearn said.

“I have absolute faith in the abilities of the players we are recruiting for 2016 and we are well down the path to retaining a core group from 2015 who showed their winning ability against the Kia Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.”

The decision by NNZ will bring all ten ANZ Championship teams into alignment with one import player only.

Mainland Tactix head coach Sue Hawkins says the decision is disappointing.

“I think the decision lacks recognition of the contributions and experience an import player brings both on and off the court,” she said.

“However, we will look internally to develop our youngsters which will take some time.”

The Mainland Tactix ended the season in 5th place on the New Zealand Conference ladder in 2015, with retaining and recruiting the core of the current team a priority moving forward.

Four players have been confirmed so far; Malawi import Mwai Kumwenda, midcourter Nicola Mackle, shooter Gemma Hazeldine and new recruit Olivia Coughlan. More signings are expected to be announced this week.

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