Mental focus key for Kia Magic
Press Release April 18, 2013
Attitude will be as important as fitness when Kia Magic front for their return ANZ Championship netball match-up against Canterbury Tactix in Tauranga on Monday.
Kia Magic have had a couple of weeks to lick their wounds after their 14-game winning run was snapped by a tenacious West Coast Fever in round three. Rattled by a willing Fever challenge, Kia Magic lurched a long way from their game plan, a situation from which they hope valuable lessons have been learned.
``While we lost there were a lot of positives that came out of that game and it’s now up to us to see if we have actually learnt from it and take the next step,’’ Kia Magic coach Noeline Taurua said.
``The timing of what happened coupled with the bye has turned out perfectly……we’ve had time to think about it and now it’s time to start putting things into action, moving on and looking forward to Tactix.’’
Turua expects a different game from the round one clash four weeks ago where Magic posted a handsome 23-goal winning margin. Both teams have gained further traction since then, the improving Tactix, in particular, taking successful strides in becoming a more settled and competitive unit.
``Mentally we’ve got to be ready for this game, our attitude has to be very good, not getting caught up in the hype of things and just getting out there and playing a good level of netball,’’ Taurua opined ahead of the showdown.
Tactix opened their campaign with three hefty losses before outlasting the Northern Mystics in a marathon double overtime two-goal win for their first success of the season in their latest outing.
``They’re a solid team and every time they’ve gone out, they’ve shown areas of improvement across the whole court,’’ Taurua said. ``Playing the extra time game against Mystics, they’ve shown their fitness levels are high and they will be buoyed by the win. I’ve been impressed with what they’ve put out there.’’
Kia Magic have predominantly looked inward in the lapse between games, the major focus being on sticking to the processes they believe will bring success.
``We were given a friendly reminder in the Fever match not to get caught up in what the opposition is trying to do to us,’’ Taurua said. ``We were handed a lesson and I want us to get out there and concentrate on the consistency of performance we want to produce.
``The quality of how Tactix have been playing, their attitude and fitness levels will test us across the court, so from my players I’m looking for that ability to be able to hold and to really control our own product and performance under pressure.’’
The England connection of Jo Harten (shooter) and Jade Clarke (midcourt) has provided greater consistency in the Tactix attacking flow while Harten potted a staggering 63 goals from 67 attempts in her latest outing. At the other end, sheer tenacity has garnered a largely inexperienced defence line plenty of turnover ball.
While her own team is stacked with talent and experience, Taurua has noted the warning signals and is taking nothing for granted in urging Kia Magic to produce an optimal performance against the southerners.
Jane Hunt
Kia Magic media liaison
Ph: 021-107-0287
