Canterbury Tactix rebuild after player exodus

It does not get any tougher for the Tactix.

A proud netball region faces a pivotal season in the harshest netball environment, the ANZ Championship.

The loss of four key players – the retirement of captain Julie Seymour and defection of Jodi Brown (Waikato-BOP Magic), Sonia Mkoloma (NSW Swifts) and Larrissa Willcox (Northern Mystics) – has been a major blow for the Tactix.

Franchise head Anthony Dawson believes the Tactix, who open their campaign against the Central Pulse in Christchurch on Monday night, are more united than the 2009 team.

"It's a cliche, but unlike last season, when we had the champion players, we're going more for the champion team," Dawson said.

"Certainly, on paper we're not filled with superstars, but I believe we'll be hard to beat, especially at home. With the camaraderie that the team's got, they've got the ability to come through in the last minute."

But they have to get close first.

The shooting circle is the most vulnerable area on court for the Tactix. They lost shooter Brown to the Magic and former Silver Fern Angela Mitchell, who is not playing this year.

Much of the scoring burden will fall on the young shoulders of Fern Anna Thompson and national under-21 player Ellen Halpenny. Newcomers Chelsea Pitman and Ashleigh Smith make their league debuts and, with all shooters under the age of 24, the challenge is obvious.

Coach Helen Mahon-Stroud remains optimistic her side can maintain the momentum gained in the first two championship seasons, but knows the departure of four big-name players has hurt.

"It is a substantial loss," she said. "But, at the same time, that's the nature of the environment."

The Tactix were dealt another blow when former Queensland Firebirds defender Peta Stephens injured her shoulder in a pre-season game. She has been ruled out for the championship – a loss that could not be underestimated, Mahon-Stroud said.

Stephens' experience will be sorely missed, as the Australian had been part of the Tactix since November.

Replacing her is not a certainty.

Dawson believes they have cover with the 11 players in the side and will only call in someone – not necessarily a defender – if they are the right fit for their team culture.

The defence end is perhaps the most experienced third on court for the Tactix, with Anna Galvan returning to the game to partner Victoria Smith and rookie Fern Charlotte Kight.

Young Southlander Hayley Crofts impressed in pre-season games in the midcourt, but the Tactix will look to new captain Maree Bowden and Phillipa Finch to link the two ends effectively.

Dawson said recruitment off court had been just as important for the Tactix as they adjusted the chief executive role, changed the commercial structure and hired business development manager Denise Leggat.

"Our goal, as part of a five-year plan, is to be in a position to challenge for titles and not just make up numbers."

2010 TACTIX Maree Bowden (captain), Hayley Crofts, Phillipa Finch, Anna Galvan, Ellen Halpenny, Charlotte Kight, Chelsea Pitman, Hannah Poff, Ashleigh Smith, Victoria Smith, Anna Thompson, Helen Mahon-Stroud (coach), Julie Seymour (assistant coach).

- © Fairfax NZ News