New Coach for the LG Mystics

Auckland’s TeAroha Keenan has been confirmed as the head coach for the LG Mystics for the ANZ Netball Championships in 2009.

Keenan has an extensive background in the sport having been a Silver Fern in the 1980’s before moving into coaching.

She is a Silver Fern selector and the New Zealand A coach and currently the Deputy Principal at Mt Albert Grammar School.

In the past Keenan has been assistant coach with the Silver Ferns as well as the Auckland Diamonds coach and the Cook Islands coach at the 1999 world champs amongst many other netball leadership roles.

As a result of her coaching she has had the majority of the LG Mystics players come under her leadership such as the Rasmussen sisters, Rachel and Grace who won the world under-21’s in 2005.

Jade Topia, Cathrine Latu, Debbie White, Rawinia Everitt and Temepara George have all spent time under Keenan in under-21’s orthe New Zealand A team.

Keenan says she wants to make winning the ANZ Championship title a priority, but first her initial goals are toget working with the team and the support network around it.

“I’m really excited about the role. It’s going to be a big challenge but I am confident I can get the most out ofthis team in 2009.“

For me the first thing is to get to know the ins and outs of the team and get the support team together to form a cohesive unit with a view to winning games,” she says.

Asked about the notion of 2009 being a development year for the LG Mystics. TeAroha replied “our goal for 2009 is to win the ANZ Championship, not making up the numbers. We have an extremely talented squadcomprised entirely of ex Silver Ferns and NZ A players. We have too much pride to settle for anything less thanwinning”.

With Australian teams dominating the first year of the ANZ championship Keenan believes it will be up to New Zealand sides to look at how the Australian sides play and how to counter them.

“I think the Australian sides prepared better to play New Zealand teams. They played zone and prepared for us. Next year will be totally different and players are going to have to step up.”

LG Mystics boss, Mark Cameron is pleased with the announcement of Te Aroha Keenan in the role and believes she will help form and cultivate a team to contend for the title in 2009.

"TeAroha has a proven track record for managing not only the players in the team but also utilising support staff to get the most out of the players. She has a proven history of success as a netball coach and we are confident she will bring a winning attitude to the LG Mystics ” says LG Mystics CEO, Cameron.

It is likely that two assistant coaches will be confirmed at a later date. Nine of the 10 players for the Mysticshave been confirmed, with one extra player to be announced over the coming days.