New Coach for the LG Mystics

Saturday, 10 January 2009

Auckland's TeAroha Keenan has been confirmed as the head coach for the LG Mystics for the ANZ Netball Championships in 2009.

Keenan has an extensive background in the sport having been a Silver Fern in the 1980's before moving into coaching. She is a Silver Fern selector, the New Zealand A coach and currently the Deputy Principal at Mt Albert Grammar School.

In the past Keenan has been assistant coach with the Silver Ferns, as well as the Auckland Diamonds coach and the Cook Islands coach at the 1999 world champs amongst many other netball leadership roles.

As a result of her coaching she has had the majority of the LG Mystics players come under her leadership such as the Rasmussen sisters, Rachel and Grace who won the world under-21's in 2005. Jade Topia, Catherine Latu, Debbie White, Rawinia Everitt and Temepara George have all spent time under Keenan in under-21's or the New Zealand A team.

Keenan says she wants to make winning the ANZ Championship title a priority, but first her initial goals are to get working with the team and the support network around it.

"I'm really excited about the role. It's going to be a big challenge but I am confident I can get the most out of this team in 2009.

"For me the first thing is to get to know the ins and outs of the team and get the support team together to form a cohesive unit with a view to winning games," she says.

When asked about the notion of 2009 being a development year for the LG Mystics, TeAroha replied "our goal for 2009 is to win the ANZ Championship, not make up the numbers. We have an extremely talented squad comprised entirely of ex Silver Ferns and NZA players. We have too much pride to settle for anything less than winning".

With Australian teams dominating the first year of the ANZ championship Keenan believes it will be up to New Zealand sides to look at how the Australian sides play and how to counter them.

"I think the Australian sides prepared better to play New Zealand teams. They played zone and prepared for us. Next year will be totally different and players are going to have to step up."

LG Mystics boss, Mark Cameron is pleased with the announcement of TeAroha Keenan in the role and believes she will help form and cultivate a team to contend for the title in 2009.

"TeAroha has a proven track record for managing not only the players in the team but also utilising support staff to get the most out of the players. She has a proven history of success as a netball coach and we are confident she will bring a winning attitude to the LG Mystics " says LG Mystics CEO, Cameron.