Former Canterbury coach Tania Hoffman is returning home to take up a new role as the Mainland Development Coach.
Hoffman, who took Canterbury to multiple national provincial titles, has been coaching Celtic Dragons in the UK’s Superleague since 2019 but was looking forward to being part of the Tactix and Mainland set up with a main focus on identifying and developing players within the Mainland region who can transition to the elite level.
“As a proud Cantabrian-produced coach it will be great to be able to contribute to the growth of the Tactix, reconnect with players and the netball community,” she said.
“I’m excited to develop and implement a programme that will identify representative and franchise players of the future within the Mainland region, and I think an important part of the role will be to develop relationships with the Netball Centres and coaches.”
Hoffman said she had always enjoyed working with developing players which was a real focus during her time as Director of Netball at Surrey Storm, before moving to the Celtic Dragons franchise.
“Having the opportunity to help identify and work with up and coming players that Mainland produce is an opportunity I could not pass up.”
She said she had enjoyed her time with Celtic Dragons despite a big part of her tenure falling during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“We’ve been working through the new normal that was forced upon sport in the UK during 2020 and 2021,” she said.
“I have worked here through challenging times as Director of Netball with responsibility for both off and on court components of the organisation.
“It’s allowed me to broaden my experience of the operational side of the franchise and develop new skillsets.”
Hoffman, who will start the new role in the Mainland region in August, has closely followed the fortunes of the Mainlanders while being overseas and is looking forward to seeing the team live in action again.
“I don’t think I’ve missed an ANZ Premiership game since we’ve been away,” she said. “It’s been great to see the rise of the Tactix and netball in the Mainland region over the last few years under Marianne and Julie’s leadership and I hope to add value to the 2022 roster.”
Tactix General Manager Haidee Stratford said they were delighted to welcome Hoffman back to the Mainland region as the Development Coach.
“Tania has a wealth of coaching experience and has a strong network within the region having guided a number of provincial team at many levels,” she said.
“We’re really looking forward to having her join our Tactix and Mainland family.”