In honour of a Waikato and New Zealand netball legend, the AVIS Magic are proud to announce the Laura Langman Medal, which will be awarded to the team’s player of the season each year.
When Langman (who played 135 matches for the Magic) was initially contacted about the medal being named in her honour, she admits being blown away.
“The era I was lucky enough to be a part of, had so many amazing role models that I quickly learnt the meaning of what hard mahi was,” reflects Langman, who played for the Magic from 2003-2013 across the National Bank Cup and ANZ Championship.
“Hard work was the normal for our team and doing your job was just how things were done.”
Langman was renowned for her high standards, work ethic, leadership and loyalty. The Magic will look to the player who epitomes the “Langman way” on and off the court for the season.
For AVIS Magic CEO Gary Dawson, the award is about recognising an iconic player and the contribution Langman made to the Magic.
“It’s also about connecting the legacy of the Magic with what we expect of our players today,” said Dawson.
“It’s important we stay connected with our past and in announcing this significant award we acknowledge an iconic player who contributed so much more to our club than her outstanding efforts on the netball court. Laura gave back to our communities and our commercial partners constantly. It’s very fitting we name this medal after her.”
The super fit midcourter Langman has many memories from her time in the side but points to a favourite memory in 2005 when the side stopped a long run of Southern Sting taking the title.
“We managed to wrestle the National Bank Cup off the Southern Sting back in the day and jeepers it was incredible to have a massive win in the Stadium Southland of old. It was like a fortress and we won.”
Langman was the captain of the side in 2012 when the team won the ANZ Championship in Melbourne with Dame Noeline Taurua at the helm as coach.
“I remember feeding a long ball to Irene from half way - that was the best feed of my life and we managed to win. There was this awesome banner in the crowd that had ‘0-4 nek minute ANZ champions’ and it was awesome!”
With the favourite moments comes a realistation that for Langman who started at the Magic as a school girl, the legacy of the team is the people.
“The power in Magic has always been the passion of the people and I am so honoured to have this medal named after me.”
The Laura Langman medal will be voted on by the players, team management and management.
