The Trident Homes Tactix are ready to put their pre-season programme into action when they host the Steel at Wolfbrook Arena on Mondy night. We talk to coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek on the eve of their ANZ Premiership opener.
A longer off-season and intense pre-season has been beneficial in many ways says Trident Homes Tactix coach Marianne Delaney Hoshek.
Digging deep into their planning and preparation has refreshed not only the long -time coach of the Tactix but also those around her.
“We’ve had a lot more planning time which has been awesome,” she said.
But even the best laid plans can be tested.
And the Tactix , like others, are facing early injury challenges with shooter Aliyah Dunn ruled out of the opening round.
Delaney-Hoshek said it was just part of the package, dealing with injuries, and how they adjusted would be key.
“I remember one year we had TP (Te Paea Selby-Rickit) out for the first four rounds but still made the finals,” she said. “Every year there are things that happen. The thing is you’ve got to adapt, and you’ve just got to control the controllables and know that you’ve got to strap yourself in because you know it’s going to be a ride again.”
Most importantly, Delaney-Hoshek wants to see her unit open the season against the Steel with an uncompromising mindset – no matter the challenges.
“I just want to see that real mindset at the beginning, that belief in themselves, the resilience and just an uncompromising attitude out there,” she said.
“We’ve had some really cool pressure activities to push the athletes out of their comfort zones in different kind of environments and now I want to see it on court.”
All of that training will be put to the test against the Steel with a new-look shooting circle to be used due to Dunn’s injury.
Experienced attacker Te Paea Selby-Rickit will anchor the circle and coach Delaney-Hoshek has a number of options to play with during the match.
Offsetting the loss of Dunn, who was in top form during the pre-season, is the return of midcourter Erikana Pedersen – the Tactix stalwart back in the game after a year off court.
With a strong netball head, the wing attack could be pivotal in their campaign opener on home turf.
“She is just an awesome professional,” Delaney-Hoshek said. “She’s the one doing extra things at the end of training, she’s got a real leadership quality and leads that attack end structurally. She’s been great to have back in the mix.”
Her calming presence up front will help the new combinations settle in over the next few rounds.
And with just the one game to be played each week, the Tactix have time to build on those green links.
Delaney-Hoshek feels it’s just one of the exciting aspects of the 2024 ANZ Premiership which, with no major international netball tournament scheduled this year, reverts back to a full 15 rounds with no-double headers.
“I think the week-to-week games should make for a better product all round,” she said. “It means you get to build towards the next team and strategically you can plan a bit more. I think there will be more time for learning in that environment and mastering the skills.
“It pretty exciting and we can’t wait to get started.”
The Tactix take on the Steel in the opening round of the ANZ Premiership at Wolfbrook Arena on Monday night at 7.30pm.
