New Mystics coach relishing the challenges of new-style league
SKYCITY Mystics head coach Helene Wilson couldn’t be happier that the start of her tenure coincides with a new era of Netball in New Zealand – the ANZ Premiership.
With longstanding experience at age-group, Beko Netball League level and as a former assistant coach at the Mystics, Wilson said the timing to mark her personal milestone was perfect.
“I think I’m quite lucky because it’s a great opportunity to start with a new competition, a fresh team and be able to shape things in the way that I see fit, so that’s really exciting,” she said.
With the exception of the Steel, which has a largely settled team, Wilson believes the varied make-up of the rest of the teams gives the respective coaches plenty of scope to explore different playing tactics.
Also, the introduction of a diverse format which includes playing different games on different days during the week, Super Sundays and double-headers, brings another exciting element for Wilson.
Preparing athletes for big intensity loads in a short block of time while also mindful of the longer turnaround times is a challenge Wilson is relishing.
“It’s just a real variety to plan for which is exciting,” she said.
The Mystics boast a compelling line-up which includes four Silver Ferns, an England international and a host of young up-and-coming talent.
For Wilson, it is that young untapped talent, which all teams have invested in, that could prove the defining ingredient.
“From my experience, you can’t underestimate how the young players in each team are going to grow and that will be part of the art of coaching next year – the coaches who can shift those players and get them to step up to that next level well,” she said.
“They are going to be the teams who really do flourish because they will be able to support and enhance the experience that the senior players bring to the table.”
There will also be a return of sorts to a bygone era with the emergence of a true cross-town rivalry following the addition of the South Auckland-based Northern Stars to the league, adding extra spice to the keenly-anticipated local derbies.
The SKYCITY Mystics will open their 2017 ANZ Premiership campaign against the Central Pulse on a blockbuster Super Sunday – featuring all six teams in action - in Hamilton.