Thompson Ready to Lead the Tactix in 2014

Thompson Ready to Lead the Tactix in 2014

EasiYo Tactix are pleased to announce Anna Thompson has accepted the captaincy of the Christchurch-based team for the 2014 ANZ Championship season.

Thompson is a seasoned campaigner for the Tactix and has remained faithful to the team for what will be her seventh straight year, while England’s Jade Clarke has been named vice-captain after recommitting to the team for the second consecutive season.

The duo are no strangers to leadership positions with Thompson, a current Silver Fern, captaining the Tactix earlier this year for the 2013 season taking over from Maree Bowden while Jade Clarke is the former captain of England.

“I’m really happy to be given the opportunity to lead the Tactix again and it means I can build on my learnings from last season,” Thompson said.

“I‘m looking forward to getting back into pre-season training and helping to integrate the four new squad members into the Tactix family.”

“We all feel we have something to prove in 2014 and our aim is to take our game to the next level, both individually and as a team. I can’t wait!” she added.

The full squad gathered for the first time in Christchurch on Sunday where the captaincy positions were announced and introductions made between the eight incumbents and four new team members including Malawi shooter Mwai Kumwenda who arrived on Friday.

Jessica Moulds and Hayley Saunders join the squad from the Northern Mystics while Mainlander Nicola Mackle returns to the region following a stint in Wellington studying at Victoria University.

Both Kumwenda and Clarke fill the ‘import player’ spots with the Tactix, granted dispensation for two non-New Zealand players due to the challenges of
attracting top players to the area following the Christchurch earthquakes in 2010.

Coach Leigh Gibbs says she’s pleased with the squad dynamic and is hopeful for big things in 2014.

“We have some experienced heads in there with some young exciting talent. It would be easy to underestimate them, but they have all improved vastly over the past 12 months and with the bulk of the squad returning for another year, I’m excited to see what they bring to the ANZ Championship in a few months’ time.

“It’s a long ANZ Championship season and we need to ensure we manage each players’ workload effectively to bring out the best in each of them,” she said.

“I’m encouraged by the way the young ones are approaching the upcoming season too.”

“They’re all ambitious for themselves which keeps the competition for starting spots strong and that’s what we want.”

The EasiYo Tactix’ first match in 2014 is the opening contest of the 17-week long competition at Christchurch’s CBS Arena on March 1st against Kia Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.

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