Netball: Willcox latest Silver Fern to join trek north

Larrissa Willcox says joining the Mystics has nothing to do with the Tactix’s loss of players. Photo / Getty Images

Silver Ferns' newcomer Larrissa Willcox has joined the flood of high-profile player movements for next year's transtasman championship, signing with the Northern Mystics.

Willcox, who played for the Canterbury Tactix this season, is the third Silver Fern to defect to the Auckland franchise, with Maria Tutaia and Joline Henry leaving Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic.

Other top players to switch teams next year are Katrina Grant, who will join Central Pulse after two years at the Southern Steel, Leana de Bruin, who leaves the Magic to play for the Steel in 2010 and former Tactix shooter Jodi Brown, who has signed with the Magic.

But it is the Mystics, who finished a disappointing eighth this year, who have been the big winners in the ANZ Championship post-season recruitment race.

The Auckland franchise were the only New Zealand side not to have to a Silver Fern in their roster last season. Now they have four, with captain Temepara George making a return to the international arena this year.

But to some extent the Mystics have been fortunate to pull together such a strong line-up, with Henry and Willcox landing in their lap.

Henry would have preferred to stay in Waikato but signed with the Mystics after negotiations fell over with the Magic, while Raetihi-born Willcox approached the Mystics through her agent, as she wished to play for a North Island franchise.

Mystics chief executive Mark Cameron said the 26-year-old defender was not initially on their radar, but they were not about to turn down a Silver Fern.

"We weren't actively looking for a wing defence-goal defence, but Larrissa indicated she was interested in a move, so we obviously jumped at the opportunity," said Cameron.

But he denies luck has anything to do with the franchise's good fortune. He says that while the Mystics did not perform well this season, they are still an attractive proposition to players as they have the best support structures in place.

"For us, what we're promoting ourselves is a franchise, going forward. We've got the building blocks in place in terms of finance, sponsors and coaching and team management."

Willcox will make the move from Christchurch to Auckland later this year once her commitments with the national team wind up. It will complete a year of rapid change for the intimidating defender, who was virtually unknown to national selectors when she made the move from the West Coast Fever to the Tactix at the start of the year.

After a solid season for the Tactix, the New Zealand-born, Australian-domiciled player was a shock inclusion in the Ferns test side last month when being selected from outside the original squad.

The loss of Willcox is a further blow to the Tactix, who have already lost a number of key players from this season, including former Ferns Julie Seymour (retirement) and Jodi Brown (Magic), while star import Sonia Mkoloma is unlikely to return next season.

Willcox said the loss of key talent had nothing to do with her decision to move and her experience at the Tactix was extremely positive.

"I've had great opportunities at the Tactix. There certainly isn't anything negative surrounding my move to the Mystics, it was just a personal preference really," she said.

The inclusion of Willcox and Henry in the Mystics line-up means there is unlikely to be any room for Debbie White and Stephanie Bond in 2010, as the Auckland franchise have instead opted for youth and re-signed Finau Pulu from last season.

The Mystics have now signed up seven of their 12-strong team, and are looking offshore for a goal keep. The remaining four spots will be filled by local players based on their performances in the National Championships, which wrap up in Invercargill next month.

* Mystics' 2010 signings

Temepara George
Joline Henry
Maria Tutaia
Larrissa Willcox
Cathrine Latu
Grace Rasmussen
Finau Pulu