KEY POINTS:
The Magic's chances of claiming their third consecutive National Bank Cup title look promising following the naming of their preliminary squad yesterday.
The eight franchises are required to submit a squad of up to 18 players to Netball New Zealand by Monday. They have until early February to
name their final teams up 12.
The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic have retained Silver Ferns Irene van Dyk, Laura Langman, Joline Henry and Casey Williams. They have welcomed back former Australian Commonwealth Bank Trophy midcourter Katrina Anderson and locals Louise Moffat and promising defender Kahurangi Waititi, who spent last season with the Western Flyers and Otago Rebels respectively.
Missing from this year's champion team is experienced midcourter Amigene Metcalfe, who is expecting her second child, the retired Kiri Adams and the departed Liana Barrett-Chase, who has joined the Southern Sting.
The franchise have also spoken with former Silver Fern Anna Rowberry, who lives at Mt Maunganui and gave birth to her first child, a daughter, this week.
The mid-courter retired from international netball in May and withdrew from the Auckland Waitakere Diamonds side because she was pregnant.
Magic chief executive Sheryl Dawson said Rowberry was by no means a certainty. "We told her that if she wanted to we'll talk to her when she is ready but not at this time.
"At this stage she is concentrating on her baby."
Magic coach Noeline Taurua is happy with the mix of six midcourters and five defenders named in the squad but admitted to being light on shooters, naming only three.
"There seems to be a general lack of shooters overall in New Zealand and that's just something we are going to have to work through," Taurua said.
The Diamonds have confirmed eight players, all of whom were in the team last season - Anna Scarlett, Stephanie Bond, Rachel Rasmussen, Amenda Payne, Rawinia Everitt, Grace Rasmussen, Paula Griffin and Maria Tutaia.
Former Silver Ferns midcourt Victoria Edward is believed to be unavailable.
* The New Zealand netball team are one of the three finalists in the team category of the Commonwealth Sports Awards, to be presented in London on November 29.
The world champion Silver Ferns won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Melbourne in March, beating Australia 60-55.
Their opposition for the award will be the Australian men's hockey team and the Scottish swimming team.
MAGIC SQUAD
Irene van Dyk, Tanya Lund, Arahi Wall, Laura Langman, Laurelle Borck, Louise Moffat, Evelyn Horomia, Katrina Anderson, Rebecca Gabel, Joline Henry, Nicola Cooney, Casey Williams, Kahurangi Waititi, Rachel Beale.