Former Silver Fern Anna Galvan has been named as an apprentice coach for The Good Oil Tactix 2019 ANZ Premiership campaign.
The defender has already started in the new role, ahead of the Gold Oil Tactix’ Premiership season which begins next month.
Netball Mainland Chief Executive Officer Brigit Hearn said they were delighted to have Galvan on board in what was a position created with an eye on the future.
“It is important to us as a Zone to always look ahead and, by introducing an apprentice coach into the ANZ Premiership mix we feel we are ensuring our aspiring coaches get valuable insight and experience operating in the performance environment.”
“Anna has been a staunch red-and-black supporter from her playing days to more recently, when she has been heavily involved with coaching age-group teams.
“She has already been a part of the Tactix coaching team, as a specialist defence coach last year, but this will give Anna an opportunity to be involved with the wider campaign.”
Galvan, who had a semi-professional career spanning 17 years including 14 Tests for the Silver Ferns, said she was excited about the new position.
“Coaching is something of a new pathway for me and I have really enjoyed the challenges and opportunities that have come my way so far,” she said. “Taking on an apprentice role with the Tactix is an ideal way for me to continue learning and also offer something to the team.”
The former Tactix defender is also a lead defence coach in Netball New Zealand’s Pathway2Podium programme and was a head coach at national development camp in both 2018 and 2019.
She was an assistant coach for Netball Mainland in their 2017 Beko Netball League campaign where they finished second.
Since stepping down as a player, Galvan has immersed herself in guiding Christchurch Netball Centre age-group and school teams, including coaching the Christchurch U17 side at last year’s national championships.
The Good Oil Tactix open their ANZ Premiership season in Hamilton on Sunday, 24 February where they meet the Waikato-BOP Magic.