Netball: Fear factor gone for Harten

Magic import Jo Harten has thrived since arriving at the club. Photo / PHOTOSPORT

Jo Harten is no longer intimidated by the prospect of pulling on her England kit and lining up against Australia or the Silver Ferns.

Time in the ANZ Championship as an import for the Canterbury Tactix and Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic has allowed the goal shoot to develop the confidence to play against the world's best.

"I think last year was a turning point for me," she said. "Being able to go to the Commonwealth Games and not be scared of an Australian or New Zealand team was a first for me playing for England. I think the [transtasman] competition is helping me in leaps and bounds."

After captaining the Loughborough Lightning in England's Netball Superleague, the 1.88m shooter arrived in Christchurch to join the Tactix in 2012. It was a tough existence as they finished 10th and ninth during her two years with the side and Harten said she struggled with the expectations placed on an import.

But that changed last year when she joined the Magic, where her game went to another level. Today she will make her 50th appearance in the transtasman competition when the Magic host the Southern Steel in Hamilton.

"There's a bit of pressure there but, after moving to the Magic, that pressure's been taken off me a little bit," Harten said. "Now I'm just enjoying playing and trying to be a normal member of the Magic."

Harten is in the unique position of being an English player in a Kiwi team who is coached by an Australian in Julie Fitzgerald, who led the Magic to the preliminary final during her first season at the franchise last year.

"It's a great mix and I'm loving it," Harten said.

Last year was good to Harten on a personal level, too, as she shared the league's MVP award alongside Swifts midcourt dynamo Kimberlee Green.

Fitzgerald said Harten, who has scored more than 1500 goals in the competition, had developed into a crucial member of their side.

"She's a true professional, a leader within our group - a real character and an outstanding shooter."

Today's game is crucial to the Magic's push towards the playoffs as they try to leapfrog the Steel on the ladder. Both sides have seven competition points but the Steel edge the Magic on goal percentage - the Mystics lead the New Zealand conference with 12 points.

A win today for the Magic would allow them to push towards confirming a playoff spot.

"We really want the two points and we want to win but I think, more importantly, we want to play some good netball," Harten said.

"For us, it's just about nailing down the basics and trying to have fun. That eludes us a bit when we get so tight in the season but playing for each other is a big key for Sunday."

Harten will also get the chance to play without fear against Australia and New Zealand at August's World Cup in Sydney.