Over the past 6 years the Northen Mystics have set the benchmark for all New Zealand netball teams. Not just because the record speaks for itself reaching five Grand Finals and winning four of them, but also because of the environment that has been created within this team and the club.

A huge part of the GoSweetSpot Mystics team is Assistant Coach Rob Wright, who we are incredibly sad to be saying goodbye to at the end of the month.

Rob is our man with the tactical brain, coaching finesse, quirky sense of humour (and style), fuelled solely on Coke Zero, who never shies away from speaking his mind and having a good netball chat. He will leave an enormous hole and a massive legacy at the Mystics.

“I cannot speak highly enough of the contribution Rob has made to not only Mystics but our entire organisation over the past 6 years. He is truly one of a kind and will be missed by us all. Rob leaves a legacy that is second to none. Involved in all 4 Premiership wins and 5 finals across 6 seasons is some record! Let’s hope we can entice him back at some stage in the future” says Netball Northern Zone and Mystics CEO, Phil Vyver.

All New Zealand netball fans will recognise the special relationship that has been built between our coaching team over the past 6 years and Mystics Head Coach, Tia Winikerei can’t speak highly enough of her coaching partner,

“I am devastated that Rob is leaving. It is with a heavy heart that we farewell our coach, colleague and friend. Over the past six years he has contributed in a significant way to the performance and legacy of Mystics, and his influence will continue to be felt well beyond his time here.

Rob and I have built a strong collegial coaching partnership and a deep friendship. He has had a major impact on the way I coach, and I will always be grateful for the knowledge, challenge, and perspective he has shared with me. While we will miss him dearly, I am excited to see what he can do with this new opportunity.

Firebirds have recruited a world-class coach with a gifted analytical mind, special expertise in technical skill development, and someone who has truly mastered the art of incidental conversations.

We will all miss Rob and I hope our paths cross again in the future. For now, we say goodbye with deep respect, gratitude and aroha, and wish him every success in this next chapter.”

And finally, we leave the last word to the Aussie who has made Auckland home and, in the process, helped reshape the Mystics club and its young players,

“After six seasons, five Grand Finals and four premierships it is time to say goodbye. Coming to Netball Northern and the Mystics has been the best decision I have ever made. It is the best organisation I have ever worked for.

I would like to give a huge shout out to Helene Wilson for taking a punt on a coach she knew very little about as well as to Phil and the Netball Northern Board for being gutsy enough to go in a direction that no other zone was doing.

I also want to thank Tia for her amazing leadership and exceptional coaching ability, our work over the last four years has been extraordinary. What you have built is amazing.

Finally, I want to thank all the players and staff who have made this journey complete. It is always the people that makes something so special”.

Rob, thank you for everything you have given the Mystics, you leave this team so much richer for having you in it. We will miss you but wish you all the very best in your new role – the Firebirds are so lucky to have you!