Netball: Magic move will bring rewards for all

Irene van Dyk's move to Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic is likely to boost not only the team's chances in the national competition but also the franchise coffers.

The South African-born van Dyk is adamant she needs to improve her own game in preparation for the world championships in Jamaica next July.

"It could only do me good, playing with the best midcourt in the country," she said.

Van Dyk also had offers from the Capital Shakers, with whom she had been with for three years, Auckland's Diamonds and the Northern Force.

But she chose Magic because of their strong midcourt.

The hugely popular player is certain to draw more crowds to Magic's home games in the National Bank Cup.

Although matches in Tauranga and Rotorua are usually fairly full because of smaller venues, there were plenty of empty seats at home games played at Hamilton's large Mystery Creek venue last year.

Magic were without a major sponsor this season and are still finalising a number of potential smaller sponsors for the coming year, said franchise chairwoman Judith Taane.

Describing van Dyk as the Pied Piper of netball, Taane said having a player of her calibre would benefit the side, raise Magic's sponsorship opportunities and attract bigger crowds to games.

"Wherever she goes she draws a crowd."

Taane said there was money available for the costs involved in having a high-profile player such as van Dyk, who will commute between Wellington and the franchise.

There are no plans at this stage for her to move permanently to Waikato.

Van Dyk has copped some flak from the Shakers franchise, with Wellington believed to have just finished paying off the debt it incurred in relocating her from South Africa.

She said she would always be thankful to Wellington for what they had done, and her decision was based solely on wanting the best possible preparation for the world championships.

With the Magic team, van Dyk will be playing alongside fellow New Zealand squad members Coffin, Amigene Metcalfe and possibly Vic Edward who, now based in Auckland, is still undecided about where she will play.

"Magic's midcourt is really strong and I think if we can evolve a good relationship we are one step ahead to the world champs," van Dyk said.

"When the going gets tough we'll know one another well enough to pull one another up or build from a good start. A good midcourt is also going to make me improve my game."

It was after a talk from Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken at the national championships in Palmerston North that van Dyk started thinking seriously about leaving the Shakers.

"It really struck me that we need to do a lot for the world champs. Ruth had a quote, 'If you do things how you've always done them, you'll get what you've always got,' which really got me thinking."

Magic stalwart Coffin, who was "very excited" about having van Dyk in the team, said the shooter would bring a lot to the franchise, including bigger crowds.

"Obviously she's good for us in terms of the team, but she'll bring a lot more than that to the franchise. People love her and it would be good to get more bums on seats next year."

- NZPA