Jo Harten set to reach 50 game milestone
Kia Magic goal shoot Jo Harten will play her 50th ANZ Championship game when she takes the court in Sunday’s key clash against the Southern Steel at the Claudelands Arena in Hamilton.
The England Roses international made her ANZ Championship debut in 2012, playing two seasons for the Tactix before moving north last season. She was instrumental in the Kia Magic’s run to the preliminary final last year, landing the winning goal in the nail-biting 50-49 victory over the Swifts in the minor semi-final. That form helped her to jointly secure the 2014 ANZ Championship MVP award.
The prolific scorer brought up her 1500th ANZ Championship goal in the Kia Magic’s last outing, against the Fever, and has one of highest single game tallies in the competition’s history, scoring 63 goals in round 4 in 2013.
Kia Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald is delighted for her star goal shoot to be reaching the 50 game milestone.
“Reaching 50 ANZ Championship games is a reflection of the real contribution Jo makes to a team, says Fitzgerald.
“She’s a true professional, a leader within our group, a real character and an outstanding shooter as we know.
"I’m sure she’ll be looking to put another big performance on court on Sunday and we’ll definitely need her, and the entire team, to be on song for this important clash.”
With the Kia Magic currently tied on points with the Steel and a tight finish to the New Zealand conference looming, Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty is urging fans to get along to the Mother’s Day encounter. The match will be played at the Claudelands Arena in Hamilton on Sunday at 7:10pm with tickets available through Ticketek. A special promotion is available to school netball teams that attend the game.
Along with the on-court action, there will be plenty of activities taking place to get the crowd involved. Quarter-time entertainment will be provided by the ANZ shoot for cash game. Kia will also provide fans the chance to win cash at half-time with its cash grab. To be in with a shot, fans need to be successful in shooting a hoop attached to a Kia Magic branded Sportage outside the stadium before the game. At three-quarter time, the Hits slingshot will fire T-shirts to sections of the crowd making the most noise, one of which will contain a cash prize. Lucky season pass holders will deliver the ball and toss the coin, while mascots will also keep fans entertained, with Monzee joined by Mother Earth’s Basil McNuts, together with the Lodge and ANZ mascots.
