  REGIONS: Northland, Auckland Waitakere, Counties ManukauMAJOR SPONSOR: LG COACH: Te Aroha Keenan WEB: www.northernmystics.co.nz Buy 2010 Season Tickets here ANZ CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD: 2009 - Played 13; Won 3; 6 points; 8th 2008 - Played 13; Won 5; 10 points; 7th The Northern Mystics can justifiably feel both pride and frustration with their 2008 and 2009 ANZ Championship seasons. Their 2009 season ended with three narrow squeak wins against Pulse (twice) and Tactix, and losses by two, four and two goals respectively to the Vixens (1st), Firebirds (5th) and Steel (4th), before a disappointing 63-56 defeat at the hands of Canterbury Tactix. In 2008 they lost five games by four goals or fewer, including a heart-breaking one-goal loss in extra time to subsequent champions NSW Swifts. The Mystics franchise has responded aggressively, making eight player changes and recruiting three current Silver Ferns to stiffen each third of the court: shooter Maria Tutaia & defender Joline Henry from Magic, and mid-courter Larrissa Willcox from Tactix. They join Silver Ferns vice-captain Temepara George (pictured right), powerful goal shoot Cathrine Latu, who was so impressive for the World 7 and Auckland Waitakere last year, Silver Ferns squad member Grace Rasmussen and Finau Pulu from last year's line-up. Additional experience comes with Jamaican import Althea Byfield, who played for Pulse in 2009, and Jenny-May Coffin, who returns to the ANZ Championship after captaining Steel in 2008. Coach Te Aroha Keenan, a recognised mentor of talented youth, has also signed Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick and Kayla Cullen, both members of last year's NZ Secondary Schools team and the current NZU21 Squad, and shooter Bailey Mes who made a good impression for Perry Foundation National 1st Grade champions Auckland Waitakere last year. The Mystics get early opportunities in 2010 to prove once and for all they don't belong in the bottom half of the ANZ Championship table. They meet the Adelaide Thunderbirds at home in what's set to be a humdinger season opening game, Magic at home in Round 3, then Firebirds and Vixens away in the fourth and fifth Rounds. If they're in the top half of the table by Round 6, Mystics can have a real shot at the title in 2010. |
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| 2010 NORTHERN MYSTICS SQUAD | ||||||
| PLAYER | AGE | HEIGHT | POSITIONS | 2009 ANZC | 2009 NATIONAL | 2009 OTHER |
| Althea Byfield | 27 | 1.86m | WD, GD, GK | Pulse | Jamaica | -- |
| Jenny-May Coffin | 35 | 1.67m | WA, C | -- | -- | Coached Auckland Waitakere U21 |
| Kayla Cullen | 18 | 1.84m | GA, WA, GS | -- | NZU21, NZSS | Auckland Waitakere U21 & U19 |
| Temepara George | 34 | 1.70m | C, WA | Mystics | Silver Ferns | -- |
| Joline Henry | 27 | 1.83m | WD, GD | Magic | Silver Ferns | -- |
| Cathrine Latu | 23 | 1.89m | GS | Mystics | -- | World 7, Auckland Waitakere |
| Bailey Mes | 20 | 1.86m | GS, GA | -- | -- | Auckland Waitakere |
| Finau Pulu | 22 | 1.74m | WD, GD, GK | Mystics | -- | North |
| Grace Rasmussen | 22 | 1.77m | WA, GA | Mystics | Silver Ferns squad, NZU21 | -- |
| Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick | 17 | 1.87m | GK, GD | -- | NZSS | Auckland Waitakere U19, St Cuthbert's |
| Maria Tutaia | 23 | 1.88m | GA, GS | Magic | Silver Ferns | -- |
| Larrissa Willcox | 27 | 1.82m | WD, GD, GK | Tactix | Silver Ferns | -- |
| TEAM AVERAGE AGE | 24.6 | |||||
| TEAM AVERAGE HEIGHT | 1.81m | |||||
| 2010 NORTHERN MYSTICS DRAW & RESULTS | ||||||
| ROUND 1 - Home | v Thunderbirds WIN: 55-52 |
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| ROUND 2 - Away | v Pulse WIN: 61-50 |
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| ROUND 3 - Home | v Magic LOSS: 46-55 |
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| ROUND 4 - Away | v Firebirds LOSS: 54-71 |
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| ROUND 5 - Away | v Vixens LOSS: 51-62 |
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| ROUND 6 - Home | v Tactix | |||||
| ROUND 7 - Away | v Magic | |||||
| ROUND 8 - Away | v Steel | |||||
| ROUND 9 - Home | v Pulse | |||||
| ROUND 10 - BYE | BYE | |||||
| ROUND 11 - Home | v Swifts | |||||
| ROUND 12 - Home | v Fever | |||||
| ROUND 13 - Home | v Steel | |||||
| ROUND 14 - Away | v Tactix | |||||