Bowden takes tactical step into captaincy

STACY SQUIRES/The Press

EYE ON THE BALL: Maree Bowden will lead the Tactix in this year's trans-Tasman netball league.

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Maree Bowden has always been a Canterbury netball pacesetter via her fitness, and is now leading the Tactix from the front as captain too.

Bowden, 30, was the natural successor to Julie Seymour as Tactix captain this season, an appointment confirmed today.

Bowden has been Seymour's deputy for the past two seasons.

She said yesterday she had gleaned plenty from the inspirational fellow mid-courter.

"Jools has been a fantastic friend who I have learnt so much from, and it's great still having her around the sidelines to talk to," Bowden said of Seymour, the Tactix assistant-coach to Helen Mahon-Stroud.

Bowden said a netball captain had less input than cricket or rugby skippers, who were required to make regular tactical decisions.

"But I see the role as keeping everything on track on court; to make sure we are sticking to the game plan," Bowden said.

"If someone is struggling, it might be a word here or there to help them along, or sometimes it's just best to know when not to say anything at all.

"I guess it's a matter of reading the vibe," she said.

As far as loyalty to the province goes, few can match Bowden's dedication to Canterbury netball.

She has played all 11 years of her representative career in red and black, starting in 1999 with the Flames in their second season.

While there had been the occasional inquiry from outside the region, franchises soon discovered where the wing attack's allegiance lay.

"Loyalty rates up there pretty highly for me," Bowden said.

"I love playing for Canterbury, wearing red and black, and just the whole great sporting history of the province.

"The grass is not always greener on the other side; you just make the most of what you've got."

Bowden faces a demanding season ensuring that the Tactix are a competitive combination.

However, she is heartened by what she has seen.

"We have a great group of girls and we have had some pre-season matches, which we didn't last year, which gives us something to get a line on.

"Instead of coming in cold, we have had some of the tough discussions about who plays where," she said.

Bowden said she had not dwelt on losing her Silver Ferns' place last season, and would be concentrating on the Tactix campaign.

"I'm pretty engrossed with the Tactix; the Silver Ferns selection is out of my control," she said.

The Tactix have a final pre-season hitout against the Southern Steel on Saturday in Dunedin, and have also been honing their skills against the Canterbury men's team.

Canterbury's opening match on March 22 shapes as a pivotal encounter against the Central Pulse. The Pulse have been recruiting to strengthen their side after finishing last in the first two seasons of the trans-Tasman league.

Bowden said she did not view that match as a season-defining game, believing all teams were still getting to grips with their game in the first month.

Bowden has returning defender Anna Galvan and new Silver Ferns shooter Anna Thompson as her vice-captains.

- © Fairfax NZ News