Netball: Mystics overhaul to begin with head office

Temepara George is the only Auckland-raised Silver Fern to have stayed in Auckland. Photo / Martin Sykes

The Northern Mystics are investing heavily in their management team for next year's transtasman league in an effort to address the growing concerns over player depth in this country.

With most New Zealand franchises trying to boost their prospects by luring star players away from other regions with large sums of cash, the Mystics' strategy represents a significant change in thinking.

Having learned some key lessons from the opening two seasons, the Mystics now appear to be changing tack by beefing up their management and support team.

It is a ploy they hope in the short term will attract home grown talent back to the Auckland franchise, and in the long term boost the talent pool in the region.

The Mystics have appointed former Silver Ferns mentor Sheryl Wells as manager for next season, along with new trainer Daniel Lavipour.

Mystics' chief executive Mark Cameron said securing Wells was a huge coup for the club, and they are eager to draw on her 10 years of experience with the Silver Ferns.

"What it means for us is that she will install a work ethic, a discipline and routine to our franchise that perhaps has been needed over the last year or two," said Cameron.

The appointment of Lavipour, who works under strength and conditioning specialist Matt Kritz at the New Zealand Academy of Sport, is part of the Mystics' efforts to improve the fitness and conditioning of the players.

It is believed the Mystics are also in the process of finalising a deal to secure former Silver Ferns coach Lyn Gunson as a technical adviser.

With the ANZ Championship exposing the vast gulf in player depth between New Zealand and Australia, Cameron said the franchise recognised something needed to be done to ensure the development of young up and coming talent.

"Our investment over the next year is really about developing a coaching team that can get the best out of our players. And that's the stride that netball in general needs to make in this country," said Cameron.

"Too often, especially in this region, we develop some extremely good young players, but we don't take them to that next level."

Cameron admits that in an attempt to improve on this year's disappointing eighth place finish he will still be looking to recruit a couple of key players from other franchises. He believes having a more professional set-up will help attract top talent.

"Our lessons over the last year or two have been that the players are looking for more than just the money. They want to see which franchise is best going to develop them and also look after them off the court as well."

With over one third of the Silver Ferns squad having ties to the Auckland area, it is thought the Mystics will try to target homegrown talent.

Maria Tutaia, Camilla Lees, Katrina Grant, Sheryl Scanlan, Paula Griffin and Temepara George all grew up in the Auckland area, yet only George, who has already signed on with the Mystics for the 2010 season, has remained in Auckland.

The Mystics lost a great deal of talent last season following the axing of coach Yvonne Willering, and Cameron hopes now their management structures are in place, some of those players will consider coming back.