Rotorua's Sam Sinclair, right, will be back in Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic colours for the 2018 ANZ Premiership. PHOTO/MICHAEL BRADLEY
Rotorua's Sam Sinclair will be back in Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic colours for the 2018 season.
This week she joined veteran Magic player and captain Casey Kopua, as well as Kelly Jury and Monica Falkner, in re-signing for next year's ANZ Premiership.
It will be Kopua's 15th season for the
Magic franchise, after making her debut in 2003, while the young trio of Sinclair, Jury and Falkner have recommitted after making an impact this season.
Such was their performances throughout the ANZ Premiership season that all three players have secured themselves places in the Silver Ferns squad for the 2017/18 season.
Having also played an integral role in the New Zealand team at the Netball World Youth Cup 2017 in Botswana recently, Jury and Falkner will be looking to build on that momentum.
Magic coach Marg Forsyth said she was "extremely happy" to secure the group of talent and with their mixture of experience and youth, was excited about the possibilities for 2018.
"Last season was all about building for us and we put out some really strong performances that took a lot of people by surprise.
"Next year is going to be about building on that and really developing the players both as individuals and as part of a team. I'm excited to see the squad come together and for what I know we can achieve," Forsyth said.
The return of Sinclair to the midcourt delivers a mixture of experience and youth, having made her debut for the Magic in 2014 as an 18-year-old.
Her performances for the Magic over the following seasons impressed, earning her a call-up to the national squad and making her debut for the Silver Ferns earlier this year.
Although retired from international netball Kopua's passion for the game has not dulled, putting in a sterling performance in the ANZ Premiership.
"The impact of having Casey in the team isn't really something that can be measured. She provides valuable leadership and guidance, as well as setting the standards for excellence that we look for both on and off the court" said Forsyth.
