Netball: Kopua, de Bruin sign up for another season

Casey Kopua will return for another season with the Magic. Photo / Getty

The Magic's all-star defensive duo of Casey Kopua and Leana de Bruin have ended speculation over their futures, with the pair re-signing with the Magic for the 2016 season.

The Waikato-Bay of Plenty franchise today confirmed it has retained virtually their entire line-up from this season, with the only change being the loss of defender Jo Trip, who is going on her OE. The remainder of this year's squad, which featured 13 players as an extra player was brought into cover for Kopua's injury rehabilitation, will be back in 2016.

With next month's Netball World Cup bringing to an end to the four-year cycle, there had been some suggestion some of the veteran members of the Silver Ferns' line-up may retire or look to start families following the Sydney tournament.

But both de Bruin and Kopua are keen for another tilt at transtasman league glory in 2016.

"I still love the game, love our team and know I still have plenty to contribute to our 2016 campaign," said de Bruin, this season's MVP for the Magic.

"As on court captain this season I also learnt a lot and with such a great coach in Julie Fitzgerald I'm still growing my game, so why stop now?"

Having missed the bulk of this year's competition as she recovered from a serious knee injury, Kopua said she can't wait for next season.

"I want to be involved again because I know we've got the potential to go all the way and I'm really excited by the development of our squad this season and where we're capable of getting to in the future," said Kopua.

Another senior player returning to the fold next season after a lengthy injury break is Courtney Tairi, who ruptured her Achilles tendon in the Magic's opening round win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds. In Tairi's absence young guns Sam Sinclair and Jamie-Lee Price stepped up to play key roles in the Magic midcourt, and the former Silver Fern knows she has a tough battle to win back her starting spot next year.

"We have a great close-knit team, our middies are nice and strong and it can only make us stronger and better if we're all pushing each other because we know we'll all be fighting for those positions, but also backing each other as well," she said.

Fitzgerald said with nine of her squad being named in the Netball World Cup, Under 21 or national A squads in recent days, she is delighted to be able to retain her talented line-up.

"As a long-time coach you know the occasions when you have a special bunch, and we have that here, so it's fantastic to keep this magic group of players together," said Fitzgerald.

Given time of year is typically a crazy time on the player recruitment market with players chopping and changing franchises, Magic chief executive Tim Hamilton said he is delighted the contracting process for next season has been fairly straight forward.

"It's testament to the coaching and management staff and the Kia Magic culture that we've been able to retain this year's squad, especially with other New Zealand teams vocal in their desire to recruit talent," said Hamilton.

The 2016 Magic squad is:
Aisha Bower, Leana de Bruin, Ellen Halpenny, Jo Harten, Kelly Jury, Casey Kopua, Kristiana Manu'a, Malia Paseka, Jamie-Lee Price, Grace Rasmussen, Sam Sinclair, Courtney Tairi.