Maria Tutaia to join the LG Mystics

Tuesday, 11 August 2009

2010 is looking exciting for the LG Mystics with Silver Fern shooter Maria Tutaia opting to return to the region where she shot to prominence as a teenager.

After two seasons with the Waikato BOP Magic the former Auckland Diamonds shooter was keen to return home, signing with the LG Mystics for the 2010 ANZ Championship.

Maria said she she was happy with the Magic but wanted to return to Auckland to be closer to family.

"For me personally it was just about coming home, home is where the heart is," she said.

It's great I've got this opportunity to come back to Auckland."

In moving to Auckland, Tutaia will return to the coaching of an old mentor.

LG Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan, a former vice-principal at Mt Albert Grammar School, guided the youngster through her early development. Keenan also happened to be coach of the New Zealand Under-21 side at the time and Tutaia was soon promoted into the national programme.

"I picked her up in the Under-21s as a very green, 6ft 2in, 15-year-old and it's great to see where she's got to," said Keenan.

Keenan believes the move to the Mystics will benefit Tutaia not only personally, but professionally as well.

"I think it's going to be a win-win situation for her," said Keenan.