The Trident Homes Tactix have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their ANZ Premiership season opener with Aliyah Dunn ruled out with a knee injury.
The shooter injured her knee during the Tactix pre-season campaign, and it was confirmed this week she would miss their campaign opener against the Steel at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch on Monday.
Former Australian Under-21 representative Charlie Bell has been called into the side ahead of the Round 1 match and will remain with the Tactix for at least their opening two matches. Former Tactix shooter Ellie Bird has also been added to the bench for Monday’s game to bolster the squad.
Head coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek said the injury to Dunn was not as serious as first thought but they would not be rushing the shooter back on court until she was fully fit.
“We’re obviously really disappointed for Aliyah who had been working hard during the pre-season and was looking good for our ANZ Premiership opener,” she said.
“She’s going to be out of action for the next two rounds, but we are hopeful of having her back on court sooner rather than later. We are very mindful that it is a long season however, so we need to ensure that Aliyah is fully fit before she gets back on court.”
Delaney-Hoshek said while it was a disruptive start to the season, the decision to bring both Bell and Bird into the squad was to allow the team to start the season as strongly as possible.
“We have two really promising shooters in our Mainland NNL group, but they haven’t played a game at that level yet or had enough exposure in our environment to be fully prepared, so we have had to be a bit innovative,” she said.
“While we’re really fortunate to be able to call on Ellie this week she hasn’t had much specific netball preparation, but she is a long-time Tactix player, so it’s been great to have her back in the environment.
“Charlie will only have a short time with us ahead of our match against the Steel, but she is netball ready which was hugely important.”
Bell was an injury replacement player for the Sunshine Coast Lightning in last year’s Suncorp Super Netball and named as a training partner this year.
She arrived from Australia last night and will join the Tactix for training this week ahead of their first match of the season.
Delaney-Hoshek said Bell came on the recommendation of coaches in Australia and having that option at shooter allowed the Tactix to keep Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack.
The Tactix can also call on promising goal attack Jess Allan who has gained her first elite-level contract this year having spent time as a training partner with both the Tactix and Steel in recent seasons.
The Tactix host the Steel at Wolfbrook Arena on Monday night at 7.30pm and back this up against the Stars on Sunday 21 April at 4pm.
