The Mainland Tactix have won their first ANZ Premiership netball title after beating the Northern Mystics 58-46 in Auckland on Sunday night.
This victory comes after two painful grand final losses in 2020 and 2021. The win was extra special for veteran players like Jane Watson, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Erikana Pedersen, and Ellie Bird, who had been chasing the championship for years.
Led by new head coach Donna Wilkins, the Tactix overcame tough odds. Just two weeks earlier, the Mystics had beaten them by 14 goals. The Mystics were also playing at home and had never lost a grand final before.
But this time, the Tactix came in determined. Shooter Ellie Bird scored 50 goals from 53 attempts and even made two surprising intercepts. The team’s defence, led by Watson and Karin Burger, stopped the Mystics’ usual fast plays. The Tactix also held onto the ball carefully, making it hard for the Mystics to catch up.
Captain Erikana Pedersen said the team felt a huge sense of relief and pride. “We knew we deserved to be here,” she said. “We trained so hard, especially in the last few weeks.”
Coach Wilkins was proud of her players, especially those who kept returning year after year, hoping for a title. This win is also a dream start to her coaching career.
This victory marks the first time a team from the Canterbury region has won a national title since 1998. The Tactix now join the Pulse, Mystics, and Steel as champions in the ANZ Premiership’s history.
