Netball: Magic fume as rivals stalk stars

Central Pulse are understood to have made a big play to lure Irene van Dyk. Photo / Getty Images

Magic management are concerned rival teams have been diverting their players' attention from their biggest game of the season today, by pursuing the signatures of two of their top players, Irene van Dyk and Casey Williams.

The Waikato/Bay of Plenty side face the second-placed Adelaide Thunderbirds in Rotorua needing a win to secure a spot in the play-offs for the third straight year. Lose and their season is over.

Few would have predicted the experienced Magic would find themselves in a position where their season would hinge on their final-round game.

But after losing three of their past four games, the Magic are in a three-way battle with the Southern Steel and the Queensland Firebirds for the two remaining spots in the top four.

Against this pressure-filled backdrop the Magic management are angry some franchises are pursuing their players as the recruiting race begins for next season.

It is believed both van Dyk and Williams have been approached over the past two weeks by franchises exploiting a loophole in the rules.

The Central Pulse are understood to have once again made a big play for van Dyk, who is based in Wellington, while Williams will be a key target for a couple of franchises.

Magic chief executive Sheryl Dawson said she was not aware of any details of her players being approached. But she still had a lot to say about the practice, which would suggest she knows a little more than she is letting on.

"At this point in time I'm not aware of any of our players being approached, because we are not kept in the loop with this situation," said Dawson.

"I find it a little unusual that this would be happening right at the time when you're trying to keep players focused on playing.

"Some would argue they are professionals, but I think this is quite a new ballgame for women in sport in this country - to have to separate something like someone approaching them at this time and ... keep their heads focused on playing well for the team."

Franchises are not allowed to approach players from opposition teams until one week after the ANZ Championship grand final.

However, the players are entitled to approach other teams at any time if they wish to chase a contract elsewhere.

Rival franchises can therefore circumvent the rules by asking the New Zealand Netball Players' Association to approach a player and ask if she would be open to discuss joining a new team.

This is where the line where who approaches whom gets blurred.

While the franchises are operating within the rules, Dawson believes it is not appropriate for teams to be holding talks with players at this crucial time when their focus should be solely on securing a place in the finals.

"From our point of view we would prefer to wait until after the finals series is over and then let the recruitment begin," she said.

"However, I guess in this environment there are a lot of things being done behind closed doors and you just have to work with that."

Players' association manager Tim Lythe said that while he understood the Magic might feel aggrieved because their players were still competing, the current rules ensured that players were protected from unwanted approaches.

"If we go to a player and say, 'Look, X-opposition want to get in contact,' and they say they're open to that, then they're in control of that discussion.

"So they've obviously made a decision that they're able to cope with that," said Lythe.

"The reality of the situation is that these players are signed up for seven months, beyond that they have no certainty whatsoever.

"So they do have the ability to enter in to negotiation and secure their future for next season, which is absolutely fair enough."

ANZ CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 14

Today
* 2.20pm Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic v Adelaide Thunderbirds, Rotorua.

Tomorrow
* 4.50pm West Coast Fever v Queensland Firebirds, Perth.
* 6.50pm Canterbury Tactix v Northern Mystics, Christchurch.

Monday
* 7.20pm Central Pulse v Melbourne Vixens, Porirua.
* 9.05pm NSW Swifts v Southern Steel, Sydney.