Magic set for season start

Following a successful preseason campaign that included victories over the Swifts and Pulse and a Pre-Season Shootout final appearance, the Cold Power Magic are ready for the start of the ANZ Championship this weekend.

"We've done pretty well in the preseason but we're looking forward to Monday because that's when it really counts ," says Cold Power Magic captain Leana de Bruin ahead of the team's opening game against the Pulse.

"Our young girls are stepping it up and growing from the confidence they got from last year and we've got more options this year, and I'm looking forward to using that to our benefit."

The Cold Power Magic take on a Pulse team that has suffered a season and career ending injury to Jodi Brown, but de Bruin is expecting that to galvanise the Pulse.

"Jodi is obviously a massive loss for them, but they'll want to play for her and play with a lot of heart.

"It will be a big challenge and the first game of the season is usually a bit scrappy so we're expecting a tough encounter.

"But we're excited to get out there and play and we're ready."

Following Monday's game the Cold Power Magic play the Swifts in Sydney on Saturday, 9 April, before playing the first of seven home games in Rotorua on Sunday, 17 April against the Steel at the family friendly time of 4:10pm.  Get your tickets for the game through Ticketmaster or the Rotorua Convention Centre outlet.