Netball: Mystics in hunt for Australian intelligence

Debbie Fuller. Photo / APN

With their playing roster now complete, the Northern Mystics are on a recruitment drive for an Australian coach to join their management team for next year's transtasman league.

The Mystics yesterday confirmed they have filled the final spot in their line-up for 2012, with former Canterbury Tactix defender Charlotte Kight signing with the Auckland franchise.

But while the Mystics have managed to finalise their playing roster ahead of schedule, the search for assistant coaches is proving trickier.

Debbie Fuller, who guided the Auckland side to the ANZ Championship grand final in her first season in charge, is looking for two assistants to fill specialist roles. She is hoping to recruit an Australian for one of those spots in order to fill a "knowledge deficit" in the team.

"When I did a review of last season it was glaringly obvious we needed more expertise in the Australian game," she said.

Despite the challenges the Australian style of play has posed New Zealand franchises in the first four years of the competition, Kiwi teams have so far resisted importing coaching expertise from across the Tasman.

But Fuller believes for the Mystics to go a step further and claim the ANZ title next season, they will need some first-hand insight into how the Australian teams operate.

"You've got to look at the competition and ask yourself why Australian teams have won every year. You have to actually sit down and say 'well look these guys must be doing something right, because a New Zealand team hasn't won the title yet'. It's not as if [New Zealand teams] haven't had the talent to win."

The recruitment of a coach from off-shore is unlikely to go down well with Netball New Zealand. The national body see franchise jobs as a key pathway for up-and-coming coaches. But Fuller is unapologetic in her stance.

"I'll do anything it takes really to get the best expertise and knowledge for our players, and if it means going to Australia, then so be it," she said.

2012 SQUAD

Temepara George (c), Jade Clarke, Kayla Cullen, Cathrine Latu, Charlotte Kight, Bailey Mes, Jessica Moulds, Grace Rasmussen, Rachel Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Maria Tutaia, Portia Woodman.