The Mystics 2025 ANZ Premiership campaign gets underway this Sunday 11th May at
Eventfinda Stadium, North Shore.

Match 1 will be a mighty Mother’s Day battle against our sisters from across Tāmaki
Makaurau, the Northern Stars, who like the Mystics, have some big changes this season and
have a lot to prove.

After months of preseason matches, that have allowed all teams to get used to the new
rules, head coach Tia Winikerei says, “We are excited and ready. How ready will be revealed
on Sunday. With the new rules, the games throughout the preseason have been gold. We’ve
had plenty of opportunities to practice the implementation of the new rules and try various
strategies. Now it’s time to put them out on court, for real.”

With new faces in both sides, the match up’s through court are tantillising. Mystics
supporters will be excited to see Australian Donnell Wallam dominate the shooting circle,
and possibly come up against her former Firebirds team mate and current flatmate, Remi
Kamo, who makes a towering addition to the Stars defensive end.

But Winikerei picks the battle in the midcourt between Peta Toeava and Greer Sinclair as the
one to watch. Both fast and dynamic, these players have the ability to set the tone and pace
of the match, which will make it a thrilling encounter.

There is also the Stars International coaching duo of Temepara Bailey and Leana de Bruin to
keep in mind, Winikerei saying, “they bring extraordinary depth of understanding for the
game …..They will be an amazng tactical force together….Our cross city sisters are going to
be tough on Sunday.”

The Mystics coaching brains trust of Winikerei and Rob Wright believe that the Mystics
strength is in the collective way of working together, “… and finding a game style which
works for everyone, while maintain a certain kind of Mystics flavour.”
Winikerei adds that Mystics supporters should expect to see the Mystics play a, “fast, sharp,
balanced attack, with pressure and contest in defence.”

Sunday will also see the Barfoot and Thompson Northern Challenge Trophy on the line.
These teams have played for this trophy since 2018, in a 3 match series, but this year it’s
winner takes all after this first match, and having held the trophy for 6 out of 7 seasons, the
Mystics will be desperate to retain it.

The Mystics have won 16 out of the 23 encounters with the Stars, but as 2025 turns the
Premiership on it’s head with the introduction of new rules, especially the 2 point shot,
anything can happen. Fans should be ready for some fireworks in the stadium between
these sides on Sunday!

Details:
Sunday 11th May
Mystics v Stars
4pm
Eventfinda Stadium, North Shore
Tickets – www.northernmystics.co.nz