The Mainland Tactix want to back up the success of the Crusaders, starting with tonight's elimination final debut against the Southern Steel in Invercargill.
Tactix goal keeper Temalisi Fakahokotau is the ANZ Premiership's leading defender Photo: Photosport
The Mainland Tactix exceeded all expectations making the elimination final of the ANZ Premiership for the very first time.
While the side say they are in no way looking ahead of tonight's match against the Steel, it's clear a spot in the final against the Central Pulse is the goal and rightly so.
This time last season the Tactix carded a disappointing two wins for the season. Fast forward one year and the Tactix have gone on to win seven games from 15 matches, two of those against the Steel and Pulse giving them confidence that a title is within reach.
The sudden turn around has been partly thanks to new relationships made around them. They tapped into the expertise of the Crusaders coaching staff and after their Super Rugby final win at the weekend against the Lions, motivation is high to back it up with a title of their own.
"We keep in touch, we've had coffees because they are such a successful franchise and we have certainly been taking all the advice that we can from them," says Delaney-Hoshek
"We have already made history because we have never been this far before and it was almost disbelief when we made it through."
Head coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek worked alongside prestigious sporting figures to build a winning culture which has been foreign to Canterbury netball over the years.
Delaney-Hoshek had New Zealand Paralympic swimming coach Roly Crichton taking team swimming sessions alongside Sophie Pascoe and the side have been working alongside shot put champion Tom Walsh in the gym.
The greatest though was someone a little closer to home with brother Glenn Delaney who coached Canterbury to a Mitre 10 Cup title last year.
"It was a great insight when they won their title because I was able to go in and have a walk through to see what they have been doing, so it's been great having them there," says Delaney-Hoshek
"We want to be better and want to inspire the young people here because netball hasn't been great in terms of results over a long time."
The last time Canterbury made a netball grand-final in 2004 as the Flames when now assistant coach Julie Seymour was captain - they lost that grand-final 63 to 55 to the Southern Sting known now as the Steel.
Former Canterbury Flames captain Julie Seymour Photo: © Photosport Ltd www.photosport.co.nz
With both teams and the competition fully refurbished the Tactix have a chance at redeeming a 14 year old grudge in an historic south island netball semi-final.
In a weird turn of events, although it's a semi-final this time, it's at the exact same venue where at the time the Southern side were also reigning champions.
"It's always a really good match against the Steel and we are quite well matched up actually," says Delaney-Hoshek
"It's more the occasion, the stadium is renowned for loud noise and we had a run there a couple of weeks ago to see what it will be like."
"We've got absolutely nothing to lose so we are looking forward to going down there and really enjoying the game."
The ANZ Premiership's elimination final between the Mainland Tactix and the Southern Steel starts at 7.30pm at the ILT Stadium Southland, which has been renamed the Wendy Frew Stadium in honour of Frew's final career home game.
