Netball: Time to change Tactix name

The Tactix name has no meaning and no special link with Canterbury. Photo / Getty Images

Is it time for a change for the Tactix? Of their name, anyway.

The Canterbury netball franchise hasn't covered itself in glory since its establishment for the ANZ trans-tasman league as successor to the successful Canterbury Flames.

The Tactix face a dogfight to avoid finishing bottom for the second season in a row.

And in four seasons in the league, they've won only 12 of their 47 matches - 10 of those in the first two seasons.

Contrast that with the record of their predecessors: The Flames were runners-up four times and finished in the top four on two other occasions in 10 seasons of National Bank Cup netball.

The Flames' name was chosen to honour netball personality Maire Erickson, a popular president of the Canterbury association for 14 years, who died in a motor accident.

Her name has probably been forgotten by most of today's netballers, but the name of the team meant something in the sport.

The Flames were consistently bettered only by the all-conquering Southern Steel during the National Bank Cup decade, stood for the highest playing standards, and had the respect of everyone in netball.

In contrast the Tactix name has no meaning and no special link with Canterbury.

And it certainly hasn't smacked of success.

Time is running out for the Tactix to avoid the basement again this year.

They're chasing a second win over the Steel away today after ending their 12-month, 17-match losing sequence against the same side here last week.

Having to play five matches in 15 days at present doesn't make it easier for them, and they must depend heavily on the enormous experience of Donna Wilkins (fifth best shooter in the league at 88.8 per cent), Anna Galvan, and Maree Bowden to dig themselves out of their
hole.

They'll obviously target the home match against the Pulse on Monday week as winnable.

But let's hope they don't have to depend on their final match against the Firebirds to save their season.

What do readers think about a change of name? Email star.reporters@starcanterbury.co.nz