Leading from the front, Trident Homes Tactix captain Kimiora Poi is looking forward to the challenge the Pulse present at home in Christchurch on Sunday. The match will also be an opportunity to mark a milestone achievement for the dynamite midcourter who has played 100 ANZ Premiership matches for the Tactix. We talk to her about her time with the Tactix, what makes her proud of the club and how the team can push on this season.
You celebrated 100 matches in the Tactix dress on the road in Round 9 – what attracted you to the Mainland in 2018 and did you ever dream you’d still be playing for the Tactix for this long?
I initially came to the Tactix because I was given the opportunity of being a fully contracted player as opposed to a training partner for the Pulse. Never – even when I first started playing for Tactix – I never would’ve thought I’d play this many games for one club. So it’s a pretty special milestone.
What has made you most proud of the club since joining the Tactix?
I think the Tactix are very much a people first club, and we have such a great team culture. I’m so proud of the positive but competitive environment the Tactix have.
The Tactix are enjoying one of their best seasons – what has been working well for the team this year and what will it take to stay on track?
I think everyone is definitely on the same page and we know our roles within the team. We are all doing our jobs, which means we can just focus on just that, and not have to worry about what everyone else is doing. To stay on track, we need to keep the energy, individually owning our own game, and knowing that everything we do is for the team.
The job is obviously not done yet and you’ve got a crunch match against the Pulse this weekend – what’s it going to take to get the better of them this time round?
In attack we need to be smart and disciplined with ball in hand and keep running our lines hard to get our ball speed and movement going. In defence, we’ve got to be relentless, shut the shorts and set up intercepts for each other.
Who were your netball/sporting idols growing up and why?
I really looked up to Maria Folau in my younger years because I played goal attack and wanted to be like her. As I got older and still now, Laura Langman as she was the GOAT centre.
If you could change a netball rule, what would it be and why?
Bonus point rule. Make the losing margin smaller, so that it is harder to get a bonus point.
What’s your earliest memories from the netball court?
Getting out of school early on a Wednesday afternoon and getting excited to put on our pleated red netball skirts.
What’s your favourite dessert?
I have such a huge sweet tooth and have so many favourites. I like most warm puddings with ice-cream. Butterscotch, chocolate self-saucing, brownie, cookie pies. I love them all.
You’re back home playing in front of a home crowd at Wolfbrook Arena – how important is that support for a key match-up against the Pulse?
Having a loud energetic crowd makes the atmosphere in the stadium exciting. You really can feel the support on the court, and I think our crowd intimidates opposition when they are loud.
Netball is a large part of your life – what gets you excited about Game Day?
I get excited for the competitiveness of each game, knowing that we've trained hard all week and now we can just play.
Is there any netball advice you’d like to give a young Kimiora Poi starting out in sport?
Show up with a team first mentality and continue to enjoy it.
- The Trident Homes Tactix take on Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Round 10 of the ANZ Premiership at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch on Sunday, starting at 4pm.
