Tactix coaches to have three assistants next year

The addition of three assistant coaches to the Canterbury Tactix netball squad next year will not affect players' pay.

The franchise announced yesterday that this year's head coach, Helen Mahon-Stroud, and her assistant, Julie Seymour, have been retained for the trans-Tasman championship next year.

However, because they are relatively new to coaching at trans-Tasman championship level, they will have assistants to help lift the team from this year's wooden spoon spot.

Kevin Eder, the chairman of the Tactix board, said the additional coaching expertise would not mean less money for players.

"We have a salary cap we have to work to and that money will still be available for the players."

Eder said two of the assistants would be defensive and shooting coaches and the third would be a mentor for Mahon-Stroud and Seymour.

"The third person would not necessarily be a coach or from netball, but someone who can help Helen and Julie, who are both relatively new to coaching at this level..

"It would be more like the role Wayne Bennett played with Stephen Kearney with the Kiwis."

Eder said the defensive and attacking coaches would have international experience.

"Julie and Helen were both mid-courters and we want someone who has been there and done that at either end of the court.

"We also see those people not just working with the Tactix, but also helping out with Canterbury netball in general."

Eder defended the incumbent coaches despite Canterbury's poor record this year – one win and 12 losses.

"The board's position is that the results at the tailend of this season were more to do with what happened a year ago, when we were slow to recruit.

"And this year, with the injuries we had, we would have struggled no matter what happened."

Eder, who has been chairman of the franchise for three weeks, said recruiting had started.

He said a rule had been proposed that New Zealand franchises be allowed one import player next year, and the Tactix were looking for a suitable player from overseas.

- © Fairfax NZ News