Netball: Scattered Tactix regroup in Magic zone

Tactix coach Helen Mahon-Stroud. Photo / Getty Images

When your city lies in ruins and there has been such a devastating loss of life, sport can seem a meaningless endeavour.

But Canterbury Tactix coach Helen Mahon-Stroud believes it is important her side push the tragic events of the past two weeks to one side and forge on with their ANZ Championship campaign.

The Tactix are expecting an emotional meeting today when the full team reassemble for the first time since the devastating earthquake struck Christchurch.

The squad will gather in Rotorua today ahead of Monday night's clash against the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic.

They have been unable to train since the quake struck last Tuesday, with several players leaving Christchurch to stay with friends and family around the country.

Mahon-Stroud said while the devastating events have been hugely disruptive to their season, getting back out on court and having something else to focus on will help with not only their own healing, but also the region's.

"It's certainly going to be a challenge for us, but we think it's really important that the Tactix get back up and get back into the competition, important not only for our team, but also our province because I think Canterbury really needs to see that some normality of sorts can return," she said.

"For all of us netball is our passion and if there's one thing that will assist us to be able to work through this incredible tragedy that has affected the region, it's that."

Monday's round four match-up was originally scheduled to be played in Christchurch but with the Tactix home court - the CBS Canterbury Arena - yet to be cleared for use, the game was moved to Magic territory. The gate-takings from the match will however go to the Tactix.

Mahon-Stroud said with her players scattered around Auckland, Napier, Wellington and the deep South, as well as a few others remaining in Christchurch, today is the first opportunity they have had to come together and re-group.

"Pretty much the priority for us has been the emotional and physical well-being of our players and their families.

"That meant that some players chose to leave Christchurch so they could settle their children and be with their families," she said.

A sports psychologist from Netball New Zealand will be on hand over the weekend to help players talk through traumatic events in Christchurch.

The Tactix have played only one game so far this season, with last week's match against the Mystics postponed following the quake.

When the earthquake struck, the team were at QEII stadium in a debrief after a 54-48 loss to West Coast Fever the night before.

That round two loss to the Fever must seem like an age ago.

Mahon-Stroud has seen the devastation more closely than most. A senior constable with the Christchurch police, the Tactix coach has been working throughout. It has meant before this weekend she has had little time to even consider how to plot the way forward for her team.

"I'm pretty shattered, but I'm incredibly lucky in terms of my family is all safe and our home has only sustained minor damage," she said.

•Netball New Zealand will delay the naming of their world championship squad due to the earthquake.

The national selectors had originally planned to name their 12-strong squad on March 16, but this has been pushed back to the end of the month following the disruptions to the draw after the Canterbury earthquake.