August 16, 2024 • 8 mins
The Tactix are undergoing some changes.
The team is facing an array of contract and roster changes, as well as the naming of a new coach in Donna Wilkins.
She joined Nick Bewley to give a lay of the land.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The last twenty four hours in terms of public announcements,
Camire employee and Alia Dunn off to the Southern Steel
seen as well this morning Griersinclair, Jess Allen and Kate
Lloyd not returning in twenty twenty five. And because that's
you know, a fair clean out or transition period from
a playing personnel perspective, I mean, with these players you
(00:23):
were keen to keep or is this part of the
new direction for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Look, I think obviously when you come in into a
coaching position, like it's all new to me as well,
and you know, I guess coming into a time where
contracting is already starting and you always see movement, don't
you and Nippel it's one of the sports that you
sort of see people moving around. And ideally it's about
keeping the majority of the players, but then also players
(00:50):
are also looking for other opportunities themselves. And especially with
Eliah Dunn, you know she's from Southland, so I guess
that wasn't too much of a shock.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
And I spoke to Kate Agnew is that as well
about the uniqueness of twenty twenty five in terms of
you know, just a two round robins if you will.
Is this just a fair indication of players and teams
both taking this opportunity where it is a slightly shorter
season to have a look around and see what's possible
(01:19):
patch just for a one year thing. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Probably. Look, I don't know the reasons behind some people's
decisions to move, and it's not just you know, players
going from the NIPS or you know other players moving
around the country. And I guess once everybody starts making
their announcements, we'll probably see a few changes across the board.
But maybe so maybe that's a drawcut. It is only
(01:42):
two rounds, it's only a ten week competition plus a
couple more weeks if you make it through to the finals.
So you know, it's a new revamp with you know,
one whole round difference. Is a lot of games?
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Is this it in terms of departures or is there
more to come?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Good question, You'll have to wait and see. I guess,
like I'm pretty excited about how a team's shaping up.
We're getting a few people signing on the dotted line,
which is all very exciting, and I think there'll be
some announcements next week.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Brilliant in terms of the player pool work. Guess in
New Zealand we have seen some imports come in. In fact,
I think you know early on in this season Charlie
Bell came over and played a couple of games for
the Tactics from Australia. What do you make of it
the player pool in terms of your options out there,
You're confident finding replacements with the New Zealand or you're
open to looking further afield.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Look ideally, look, I'm a keywee. It would be great
to be able to have New Zealand players and be
having all those amazing athletes coming through through the grades
through the inn now and ideally you want to have
them on your roster. You know, we've just had the
in his own under twenty one team named and there's
some exciting talent in there. So definitely as a coach
you're looking at trying to nurture that talent and I
(02:56):
think we will probably have a pretty good mix of
youth and varience and that's what I'm aiming for.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
You've been inside the four walls out there at Apollo
in a different capacity as a specialist coach and obviously
back to your playing days as well in your view,
What do you feel needs to change to get over
that hump and lift the trophy at the end of
the season, Because they've been also close, and it's been
a group that's largely been together for quite some time,
(03:22):
and this feels like quite a significant change. What have
you picked up that you think immediately you'd like to
address and sort of put your mark on.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Look, it wasn't actually much and it was that for
twenty twenty four for the Tactics, you know, like it
was a bounce of the ball. Really they were up
going into that last probably seven minutes in that playoff
game against the Mystics and had Actually it was a
great game to watch. I think the performance from both
sides was amazing. So look, the tech that's aren't far off,
and it could have gone either way. They could have
been in that final and ended up winning it. So
(03:54):
that's how close those margins where with those top three teams,
And you saw that on the table shifting around. So
I don't think I'm not a person that's going to
come in and make a heap of changes. I'm coming
in there to try and get the best out of
a team that's there. I'm lucky that I have been
in that environment, like Marianne's been great enabling me to
be able to come in for the last three years
(04:15):
on and off and working with some of those players.
So I'm just going to build on that. I'm going
to put a bit of my spin on things as well,
and hopefully we can get those results. But you know,
it's more intense this time. There's only two rounds. There's
not a lot of opportunities. You only get five games
at home and five away, so it shortens down those opportunities.
But I'm really looking forward to the challenge.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
I guess if we wind it right back when the
job became open after Mary and made a decision, what
was it that excited you most about, at least submitting
your CV, And what excites you most and makes you
perhaps most nervous now that you've got the job and
you're about to actually do it.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah. Look, it's been an interesting few weeks. The role
wasn't open for a lot of days. It was only
open for a couple of days, and I was like,
should I shouldn't I? You know, look, it's a really
cool opportunity for me to come back to where I
grew up all my family are still in christ Church.
I have two boys that are at boarding school up
there at the moment currently and eleven and year nine,
(05:12):
and my baby girl heads up to christ Church next year,
so ideal opportunity for me to be there to watch
their sport as well and also grow my I guess
my future in the game. I see that I enjoy
nick but whore I love being around it and it's
just another opportunity to give back to where I begun
my netball And.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
I see you mentioned when the news is announced that
you're going to be the next coach that you're pretty direct.
How much of coaching do you feel at this level
is that player management by the time you get to
representing at the AMC Premiership, because as we know as well,
not every player likes receiving feedback the same way. So
how do you how are you looking forward to that challenge?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Absolutely? And look, I've been around elite athletes for a
long time now. In the coaching role. I've worked with
the Silver, Fir and Shooter. I've worked across a lot
of the franchises, going in and out as a specialist coach,
and I've also worked for the last three years in
and out with the tactics. So I've touched and been
around a lot of those elite athletes that are still
playing today. I know how most of them take everyone's different,
(06:16):
everyone's individual, and they take feedback and training. Everything's different.
But I think sometimes, you know, sometimes directness is what
we need as well. So it's just making that call
and how you've got involved and how you can get
the best out of them, And I think that's what
we're going to aim for for next season one.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
Per And I guess lastly, what does the next sort
of Obviously you mentioned some roster announcements we're hoping to
see next week. What is the next sit a few
weeks and months look like? Before obviously there's there's international
netborne trials to come as well. So what does the
next a few weeks and months look like for for
Donna Wilkins?
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Well, good question. I'm really not too sure. I'm learning
on the jump at the moment. My contracts actually signed
January to end of August, so clear we're not quite
in January twenty twenty five yet. So you know, I've
entered at a really busy time and contracting and I'm
learning as i'm going and just really excited about the opportunity.
(07:16):
The plan is once we get our roster together and
everyone's contractor, then we make those announcements that I would
look to, you know, welcoming the newbies into the environment,
and you just get into the planning process. You know,
it's all going to come around pretty quickly. So really
looking forward to it, I guess, so sorry.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
One last question off the top of me head. Obviously
also have a really big basketball background. Basketles one of
my sports. I love them, lucky enough to be involved
with the Sky and the Rams and the poor clib
But what do you think what do you think you
could bring from basketball? I see again you mentioned that
and the release at the time that that could work
in netball.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Absolutely, you know, there's always a lot of his own
defense and basketball, you know, and just that defensive pressure
I think right out the court. I think we can
tap into to some of that potential and some probably
learnings from the basketball background and where the zone came
from and how to play it, you know, like so
maybe we a bit of that defensive component. But yeah, look,
I love basketball and if I can use it in
(08:15):
any way that's going to help these girls, then I will,
and you know, and that's part of who I am,
so hopefully I can keep them across the board on
it as well.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Brilliant. Oh, Donald Welkin, thanks so much your time here
with the crew at the All Sports Breakfast. I'm sure
it won't be your last time here on the show
coming into twenty twenty five, but we really appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Thank you for more from News Talk sed B.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on IR Radio.
The last twenty four hours in terms of public announcements,
Camire employee and Alia Dunn off to the Southern Steel
seen as well this morning Griersinclair, Jess Allen and Kate
Lloyd not returning in twenty twenty five. And because that's
you know, a fair clean out or transition period from
a playing personnel perspective, I mean, with these players you
(00:23):
were keen to keep or is this part of the
new direction for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Look, I think obviously when you come in into a
coaching position, like it's all new to me as well,
and you know, I guess coming into a time where
contracting is already starting and you always see movement, don't
you and Nippel it's one of the sports that you
sort of see people moving around. And ideally it's about
keeping the majority of the players, but then also players
(00:50):
are also looking for other opportunities themselves. And especially with
Eliah Dunn, you know she's from Southland, so I guess
that wasn't too much of a shock.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
And I spoke to Kate Agnew is that as well
about the uniqueness of twenty twenty five in terms of
you know, just a two round robins if you will.
Is this just a fair indication of players and teams
both taking this opportunity where it is a slightly shorter
season to have a look around and see what's possible
(01:19):
patch just for a one year thing. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Probably. Look, I don't know the reasons behind some people's
decisions to move, and it's not just you know, players
going from the NIPS or you know other players moving
around the country. And I guess once everybody starts making
their announcements, we'll probably see a few changes across the board.
But maybe so maybe that's a drawcut. It is only
(01:42):
two rounds, it's only a ten week competition plus a
couple more weeks if you make it through to the finals.
So you know, it's a new revamp with you know,
one whole round difference. Is a lot of games?
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Is this it in terms of departures or is there
more to come?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Good question, You'll have to wait and see. I guess,
like I'm pretty excited about how a team's shaping up.
We're getting a few people signing on the dotted line,
which is all very exciting, and I think there'll be
some announcements next week.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Brilliant in terms of the player pool work. Guess in
New Zealand we have seen some imports come in. In fact,
I think you know early on in this season Charlie
Bell came over and played a couple of games for
the Tactics from Australia. What do you make of it
the player pool in terms of your options out there,
You're confident finding replacements with the New Zealand or you're
open to looking further afield.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Look ideally, look, I'm a keywee. It would be great
to be able to have New Zealand players and be
having all those amazing athletes coming through through the grades
through the inn now and ideally you want to have
them on your roster. You know, we've just had the
in his own under twenty one team named and there's
some exciting talent in there. So definitely as a coach
you're looking at trying to nurture that talent and I
(02:56):
think we will probably have a pretty good mix of
youth and varience and that's what I'm aiming for.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
You've been inside the four walls out there at Apollo
in a different capacity as a specialist coach and obviously
back to your playing days as well in your view,
What do you feel needs to change to get over
that hump and lift the trophy at the end of
the season, Because they've been also close, and it's been
a group that's largely been together for quite some time,
(03:22):
and this feels like quite a significant change. What have
you picked up that you think immediately you'd like to
address and sort of put your mark on.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Look, it wasn't actually much and it was that for
twenty twenty four for the Tactics, you know, like it
was a bounce of the ball. Really they were up
going into that last probably seven minutes in that playoff
game against the Mystics and had Actually it was a
great game to watch. I think the performance from both
sides was amazing. So look, the tech that's aren't far off,
and it could have gone either way. They could have
been in that final and ended up winning it. So
(03:54):
that's how close those margins where with those top three teams,
And you saw that on the table shifting around. So
I don't think I'm not a person that's going to
come in and make a heap of changes. I'm coming
in there to try and get the best out of
a team that's there. I'm lucky that I have been
in that environment, like Marianne's been great enabling me to
be able to come in for the last three years
(04:15):
on and off and working with some of those players.
So I'm just going to build on that. I'm going
to put a bit of my spin on things as well,
and hopefully we can get those results. But you know,
it's more intense this time. There's only two rounds. There's
not a lot of opportunities. You only get five games
at home and five away, so it shortens down those opportunities.
But I'm really looking forward to the challenge.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
I guess if we wind it right back when the
job became open after Mary and made a decision, what
was it that excited you most about, at least submitting
your CV, And what excites you most and makes you
perhaps most nervous now that you've got the job and
you're about to actually do it.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah. Look, it's been an interesting few weeks. The role
wasn't open for a lot of days. It was only
open for a couple of days, and I was like,
should I shouldn't I? You know, look, it's a really
cool opportunity for me to come back to where I
grew up all my family are still in christ Church.
I have two boys that are at boarding school up
there at the moment currently and eleven and year nine,
(05:12):
and my baby girl heads up to christ Church next year,
so ideal opportunity for me to be there to watch
their sport as well and also grow my I guess
my future in the game. I see that I enjoy
nick but whore I love being around it and it's
just another opportunity to give back to where I begun
my netball And.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
I see you mentioned when the news is announced that
you're going to be the next coach that you're pretty direct.
How much of coaching do you feel at this level
is that player management by the time you get to
representing at the AMC Premiership, because as we know as well,
not every player likes receiving feedback the same way. So
how do you how are you looking forward to that challenge?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Absolutely? And look, I've been around elite athletes for a
long time now. In the coaching role. I've worked with
the Silver, Fir and Shooter. I've worked across a lot
of the franchises, going in and out as a specialist coach,
and I've also worked for the last three years in
and out with the tactics. So I've touched and been
around a lot of those elite athletes that are still
playing today. I know how most of them take everyone's different,
(06:16):
everyone's individual, and they take feedback and training. Everything's different.
But I think sometimes, you know, sometimes directness is what
we need as well. So it's just making that call
and how you've got involved and how you can get
the best out of them, And I think that's what
we're going to aim for for next season one.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
Per And I guess lastly, what does the next sort
of Obviously you mentioned some roster announcements we're hoping to
see next week. What is the next sit a few
weeks and months look like? Before obviously there's there's international
netborne trials to come as well. So what does the
next a few weeks and months look like for for
Donna Wilkins?
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Well, good question. I'm really not too sure. I'm learning
on the jump at the moment. My contracts actually signed
January to end of August, so clear we're not quite
in January twenty twenty five yet. So you know, I've
entered at a really busy time and contracting and I'm
learning as i'm going and just really excited about the opportunity.
(07:16):
The plan is once we get our roster together and
everyone's contractor, then we make those announcements that I would
look to, you know, welcoming the newbies into the environment,
and you just get into the planning process. You know,
it's all going to come around pretty quickly. So really
looking forward to it, I guess, so sorry.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
One last question off the top of me head. Obviously
also have a really big basketball background. Basketles one of
my sports. I love them, lucky enough to be involved
with the Sky and the Rams and the poor clib
But what do you think what do you think you
could bring from basketball? I see again you mentioned that
and the release at the time that that could work
in netball.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Absolutely, you know, there's always a lot of his own
defense and basketball, you know, and just that defensive pressure
I think right out the court. I think we can
tap into to some of that potential and some probably
learnings from the basketball background and where the zone came
from and how to play it, you know, like so
maybe we a bit of that defensive component. But yeah, look,
I love basketball and if I can use it in
(08:15):
any way that's going to help these girls, then I will,
and you know, and that's part of who I am,
so hopefully I can keep them across the board on
it as well.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Brilliant. Oh, Donald Welkin, thanks so much your time here
with the crew at the All Sports Breakfast. I'm sure
it won't be your last time here on the show
coming into twenty twenty five, but we really appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Thank you for more from News Talk sed B.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on IR Radio.
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