KEY POINTS:
Despite being on the brink of losing three Silver Ferns, newly named Northern Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan still believes her side will be extremely competitive in next season's transtasman league.
The Mystics yesterday confirmed that Keenan, who served as assistant to Yvonne Willering this season, had been
elevated to the head coaching role after Willering's shock axing last month.
With several high-profile players leaving the Auckland club in the off-season, Keenan's promotion has been described by some quarters as a "hospital pass" with many believing the position to be a poisoned chalice.
Silver Fern Sheryl Scanlan last week confirmed she is joining the Southern Steel, while fellow defender Leana de Bruin is weighing up an offer from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic. Young shooter Paula Griffin is also believed to be on the move to Central Pulse.
But Keenan said the club has managed to retain a solid core of last season's group, including star midcourter Temepara George, and believes they have the talent to challenge the competition heavyweights.
"I think if we can get a few things sorted and plan really well, I'm really excited about what this team can achieve," the former Silver Fern said.
Though the Pulse have not made any official announcement about Griffin, Mystics chief executive Mark Cameron has resigned himself to losing the Silver Ferns rookie.
"At this stage it looks like Paula definitely will be going to the Pulse," said Cameron
"I would say the promise of guaranteed court time and the dollars would be a significant factor."
However, Cameron is still hopeful of retaining de Bruin.
The Silver Ferns defender has made no secret of her desire to relocate to Cambridge and has stated her preferred franchise is the Magic.
But with the Magic already stacked with Silver Ferns, there is very little room under the $300,000 salary cap to sign any more high-profile players.
It is believed the Magic could only offer de Bruin the minimum player payment of $12,000 while she could earn up to three times more at another franchise.
Cameron said he was heartened that de Bruin is yet to make up her mind.
"Leana hasn't made a decision and I think as time goes on we come more into play. We're in a pretty good position financially to offer a reasonable contract to players, so we'll just see what happens."
If the Mystics do manage to hold on to de Bruin, it would leave just two spots open in their roster, which they plan to fill with local players after the conclusion of the National Championships next week.
Keenan said today's round robin clash between local rivals Auckland Waitakere and Netball North, which will pit several Mystics teammates against each other, was a great opportunity to scout local talent.
Temepara George, Vilimaina Davu and Cathrine Latu headline the North team, while Jade Topia, Rawinia Everitt and Grace and Rachel Rasmussen feature in Auckland Waitakere's line-up, along with the Southern Steel's Jenny-May Coffin.
Today's match may also be a good chance for Keenan to sound out some of the coaching talent in the region, as she considers her options for assistant coaches.
The Mystics are looking to appoint two assistants, with the possibility one may have more of a consultancy role.
With one of the best netball brains in the country in Lyn Gunson y working within the Mystics region, it is believed the Auckland franchise are keen to get the former Silver Ferns coach working with the team in some capacity.
Gunson is helping out the Netball North side in a technical adviser role, and Keenan said it would be great to get her former mentor involved with the Mystics as well.
"Lyn and I have a history, she was Silver Ferns coach when I was in charge of the young internationals, so I always value her input."
NATIONAL CHAMPS
Round four matches (grade 1)
Today
Netball North v Auckland Waitakere (North Shore)
Otago v Western (Dunedin)
Tomorrow
Waikato v Southland (Te Awamutu)
Finals at championship week at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, from Monday to Saturday.