Netball: Moulds steps into leadership role with Tactix

Northland's Jess Moulds will captain the Mainland Tactix in the 2017 ANZ Championship. Photo/Photosport.nz

A new competition brings new leadership as Northlander Jess Moulds will take the reins of the Mainland Tactix in the 2017 ANZ Premiership.

The defender is currently rehabbing an ACL injury suffered last season but is looking forward to taking on the new role.

"It's obviously pretty exciting. It's a huge honour and I'm looking forward to the season. I'm really looking forward to getting back on the court but having the leadership group is helping a lot," she said.

The Tactix have named a leadership group with goal attack Anna Thompson and centre Hayley Saunders sharing the vice-captain role.

Moulds said the three of them will be a formidable trio.

"With me taking on the off-court captaincy while I'm injured, they'll share the on court role. We work really well and have different strengths and will work out our roles," she said.

"Anna and Hayley are great so we'll have no issues."

Moulds ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee when captaining NZA in a practice match against England last year and is expected to miss the early stages of the new league.

But her presence within the squad and leadership qualities will be vital off court as the Mainland Tactix look to make a statement in the ANZ Premiership.

Moulds said the injury is on the mend and hopes to be back and firing.

"I'm doing everything physically and mentally to get back on the court. I'm in very good hands and my knee feels 100% but I'm raring to go," she said.

"It is a play it by ear deal and I want to make sure I'm ready to go when the time comes."

This year is the inaugural season for the ANZ Premiership, with six New Zealand teams going up against each other for national supremacy.

Moulds said the new competition is great for netball in New Zealand.

"It's really exciting comp and it will increase the rivalries between the NZ teams. Kiwis love watching Kiwis play so viewership and attendance should be even higher than when we played Australian teams," she said.

"It will help strengthen netball here. To have six New Zealand teams playing semi-professionally in the country is fantastic for the future of New Zealand netball."

With the new competition a great platform to make a statement, Moulds said the expectations were high for the Tactix.

"The competition is all new and it's great to have a fresh start but we want to be in the top two come finals time.

"On a personal level, I just want to make sure my rehab goes well and be back out on the court."

Tactix coach Sue Hawkins said she is looking forward to the new league.

"I am excited and looking for all players in 2017 to step up in their roles on and off the court," Hawkins said.

"Accountability towards each other will move the new-look team forward this year."

The Tactix will also don a new strip for the ANZ Premiership, which starts on March 26 where they take on the Waikato Bay Of Plenty Magic at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton.