Rotorua's Sam Sinclair in action for the Magic last weekend during a pre-season match against the Fiji Pearls in Tokoroa. The Magic begin their season tomorrow against Adelaide. Photo / Ben Fraser
Rotorua's Sam Sinclair in action for the Magic last weekend during a pre-season match against the Fiji Pearls in Tokoroa. The Magic begin their season tomorrow against Adelaide. Photo / Ben Fraser
If she is not with the Kia Magic, you'll probably find Samantha Sinclair on the Waikato University campus.
The 19-year-old from Rotorua is in her second season with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and is also gearing up for her second year at university studying a Bachelor of Management.
While Sinclair has a busy year ahead - juggling trainings, constant travel across New Zealand and Australia for matches, and a full university workload - she said that is exactly how she liked it.
"It is really full on, and it keeps me busy, but I wouldn't want it any other way. There are so many girls out there that would love to be in the position that I am and I never take that for granted."
Sinclair boarded a plane for Adelaide today with her teammates to take on the Thunderbirds tomorrow afternoon in their first game of the ANZ Championship season.
She said personally she had a main goal this year within the Magic squad.
"Get a bit more court time," she said. "It was so awesome last year to get out on the court and have a crack at it, but definitely more consistent [game time] this year, possibly a bit earlier in the season this year would be cool. But it is all about working hard and putting your best foot forward."
Sinclair, who has played most of her netball at centre, said she was not fussed what position coach Julie Fitzgerald wanted her to play this year.
Meanwhile, at university, Sinclair is aiming to complete her second full year of study this year.
"I just finished my last, first-year paper in summer school, so I'm officially a second-year student now. Last year I did eight papers, so I was full-time, and this year I have six papers to do."
She said she felt she was a better player now than this time last year.
"You have to be, having a coach like Julie and playing alongside the likes of the girls in the Magic, there is no way you couldn't be a better player."
Sinclair is no longer one of the newbies at the Magic, and said she was trying to help out girls who have just come into the squad. "I still feel like I am classified as one of [the younger players], but I feel like I am taking a little bit more of a leadership role especially with the players straight out of school."
Sinclair said she enjoyed plenty of time in Rotorua over the holidays with family.
