Kimiora Poi named Tactix captain

Trident Homes Tactix midcourter Kimiora Poi is ready to tackle new challenges after being named to captain the side in next year’s ANZ Premiership.

Poi will take over the reins from Jane Watson, who will miss New Zealand’s elite domestic league after announcing her pregnancy and is excited to get straight down to work when she leads the side tomorrow against the Pulse in the first of two pre-season hit outs at Mainpower Stadium in Rangiora.

“I never dreamed I would be a captain of an ANZ Premiership team but I’m really excited to be given this opportunity and the challenges that come with the job,” she said.

“It is such a privilege to be asked to lead this group of women in the Trident Homes Tactix and I was humbled to be asked.”

The 24-year-old, who grew up in the small East Coast town of Tikitiki before moving to the Hawke’s Bay, headed south to the Tactix in 2018 after playing for Central in the former Beko Netball League.

With eight Test caps for the Silver Ferns, her explosive speed, pinpoint passing, and all-round athleticism has seen Poi become a key cog in the red-and-black machine and the centre is excited to see where the two-time Grand Finalists can take their game in 2022.

“We’ve got such a tight unit who are all driven to get the job done. I think that’s what stuck out for me when I first arrived at the Tactix was the welcoming environment and that desire to do better than before.

“It’s an important part of who we are and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can deliver next year.”

Tactix head coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek said she was delighted to confirm Poi’s new role at team training this week and was looking forward to what the midcourter would bring to the position.

“From the outside, Kimi can come across as one of the quiet members of the team, but she has been such an important voice within the Tactix. She’s always had leadership potential and she lives the Tactix values to the fullest,” she said.

“I’m really excited for Kimi to have this opportunity and while she’ll bring a different style to the role, she has so many key values – she is a straight shooter, really strong at motivating others and leads by example.

“She sets the bar high and is really encouraging to lift her team-mates – Kimi runs a 20.2 yo-yo and is still motivating others along the way, that’s the kind of person she is.”

Poi will also have the support from the Tactix leadership group which includes new vice-captains Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Karin Burger.

“Developing that leadership group has been a real focus for us and the encouraging thing for us was seeing the potential of so many of our players to step up into these roles,” Delaney-Hoshek said.

The Trident Homes Tactix meet the Pulse tomorrow at 5.15pm for their first pre-season match in Rangiora and again on Friday 10 December at 12.15pm.