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Home / Bay of Plenty Times

Sam Sinclair's statement of intent ahead of ANZ Premiership

Rotorua Daily Post
25 Mar, 2017 01:00 AM5 mins to read

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Rotorua's Sam Sinclair, pictured in action during the Magic v Thunderbirds preseason last year, has come along way. Photo/File

Rotorua's Sam Sinclair, pictured in action during the Magic v Thunderbirds preseason last year, has come along way. Photo/File

"We are in it to win it."

This is the statement of intent from Rotorua's Sam Sinclair as her side - Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, prepare for their opening ANZ Premiership clash.

The new league kicks off in Hamilton tomorrow with a super round - one of several format changes this year - in which all six teams meet at the same venue in back-to-back matches.

The Magic take on Mainland Tactix at the Claudelands Arena - led by new coach Margaret Forsyth and a much changed team from last season.

Forsyth brings a wealth of experience with her - she debuted at the 1979 Netball World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago and is one of just three players with Leigh Gibbs and Margaret Matenga, who have won two Netball World Cups for the Silver Ferns.

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Sinclair, one of five players in the Magic squad to have played test netball, said her side had the right mix of youth and experience.

"We have so many new faces but we've put in the hard yards - it's been pretty tough building up to this first match but hopefully all the hard work will reflect on the court," Sinclair said.

"I'm feeling really confident, we've had a long pre-season and we are just so excited to finally get out there on the court.

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"Margaret brings with her a very different approach and this will most clearly be seen in our attack - there's a lot of vision with width and depth."

The Magic and Tactix met 18 times in the former transtasman competition with the Magic winning 17 and the Tactix just once across nine seasons.

"We can't take that record for granted," Sinclair said. "They [Tactix] are a very fit side and dependable. We need to shut them down as soon as possible. Quick ball movement in attack will then be key from us. We need to keep creating chances and keep people moving."

Sinclair joined Magic pre-season late after travelling with the Silver Ferns in the recent Quad Series. The talented midcourter picked up five caps after she played a full game against Australia in South Africa on debut and had game time against England, South Africa and Wales.

Discover more

Netball

Netball: Magic thrash Tactix in opener

26 Mar 05:12 AM

"I've looked to bring back a couple of new things I picked up from Silver Ferns play," Sinclair said. "Tactically in defence instead of just shutting down play we've worked on picking up ball and turning it round immediately into attack.

"Also with a few new midcourt players it's been a good opportunity to give them feedback. The main message has been about communication. I remember being very shy when I first started but you need to be confident. The new players have just as much right as anyone to be vocal on court."

The Magic's New Zealand players Casey Kopua, Kelly Jury and Grace Rasmussen have also played test netball and Lenize Potgieter for South Africa - who is the team's import player. Potgieter played at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup 2015 for the Proteas and has 34 Test Caps.

The Tactix have three players who have played test netball - Anna Thompson, and Temalisi Fakahokotau for the Silver Ferns and Kadeen Corbin for England.

The Tactix have named Kate Lloyd as the replacement for injured defender and captain Jess Moulds for their opening match.

Sinclair said Magic had enough talent in the squad to take out this season's title but was wary of an impressive Southern Steel - who had the most settled playing roster coming into the ANZ Premiership with nine of their 10 players returning from last year's side.

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"We are in it to win it," Sinclair said. "We want a good consistent year, not big lapses - it's hard to get up from losses if they do come. We want to get to the final and hopefully take it out."

"We're looking at Steel, their core players are very strong. It would be silly not to rate them, they are a big threat. But we have a winning vision and mentality and the right mix of youth and experience."

For all the ANZ Premiership fixtures and results click here:

ANZ Premiership - Round 1
(Sunday 26 March, Claudelands Arena, Hamilton.)

Match 1: Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Northern Stars, 2pm.

Match 2: WBOP Magic v Mainland Tactix, 4pm.

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Match 3: SKYCITY Mystics v Central Pulse, 6pm.

Remaining Matches in Round 1:
(Monday 27 March, Claudelands Arena, Hamilton.)

WBOP Magic v Northern Stars, 7.40pm.

ANZ Premiership
March 26-June 28

• Six teams (the five existing franchises and a second Auckland team, the Northern Stars).

• Triple round robin format.

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• Matches will be played on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

• Two game finals series involving the top three teams.

• Six import players from England, Jamaica, South Africa and Fiji.

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