The Waikato-BOP Magic has turned to foundation member and former Silver Fern Amigene Metcalfe to coach the side during the 2019 ANZ Premiership.
The Magic stalwart has been named as Head Coach for the new season which also marks the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the Waikato-BOP Magic franchise.
She takes over from Margaret Forsyth who has been at the helm during the first two years of New Zealand’s elite league.
Magic chief executive Rohan West said he was delighted to have one of the franchise’s foundation members to guide the team as it marks a significant milestone.
“Amigene is passionate about netball and about Magic Netball,” he said. “It is a unique position that we have our Waikato-BOP Magic player #1 now coaching the next generation of Magic netballers.
“She knows the values and culture which is strong within our Magic family, and what it takes to lead a successful side having captained Waikato and Waikato-BOP to national titles and finals.
“We are really excited to have someone with Amigene’s knowledge of the elite game and someone who has a strong connection with the players and also the region.”
Metcalfe has an extensive link with Waikato-BOP Netball as both a player and coach having led Waikato to a number of titles, as a mid-courter, during the former National Bank Cup and captained the side during the inaugural ANZ Championship season.
She was also the club’s High Performance Co-ordinator and more recently the Assistant Coach to the Magic during the ANZ Premiership.
Metcalfe said it was an honour to coach for a franchise she had been heavily involved with.
“I feel very proud to have been given the opportunity to coach a team I love,” she said. “It’s certainly a role I know comes with huge responsibility and expectations and I look forward to the exciting challenges ahead.”
The former Physical Education and Health teacher was also highly regarded on the touch rugby field having captained the New Zealand women’s team. She was also a New Zealand Touch Hall of Fame inductee.
West said he wanted to thank Forsyth for her commitment shown to the Zone including roles as Performance Manager, Magic Assistant Coach and Head Coach.
“She is a legend of the game,” he said. “She has had a number of roles within the organisation and we want to thank Margaret for her commitment, passion and knowledge she has brought to the Zone.”
Amigene Metcalfe’s Netball playing career:
■ 2002-2005 Squad Member – NZ Silver Ferns (Team member 2004)
■ 2005 Captain – NZA Team
■ 1999-2002 Co-Captain – NZA Team
■ 1993-2005 Team Member – Waikato Netball Team
Captain, 2002-2003, 2005
National Champions 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004
■ 1998-2008 Team Member – Waikato-BOP Magic Netball Team
Captain 2005-2008 (Winners National Bank Cup 2005-2006,
Finalists inaugural ANZ Championship)
Coaching career:
■ 2017-2018 Assistant Coach Waikato-BOP Magic
■ 2015 Assistant Coach Trust Waikato Hamilton City
■ 2008- Coached various school teams from Year 3-13
