The Mainland Tactix are a New Zealand netball team based in Christchurch, Canterbury who compete in the ANZ Premiership. The team was one of the founding teams in the National Bank Cup, formerly the premier netball competition in New Zealand, during which the team was known as the Canterbury Flames. After the NBC was retired in 2007, the Flames became a founding franchise of the new trans-Tasman ANZ Championship and changed their name to the Canterbury Tactix. In 2013 they changed their name to Mainland Tactix, to clearly state what region they are from. The Mainland team represent the New Zealand regions of Canterbury, West Coast, Nelson and Marlborough. The Tactix have had mixed results during their competitive history. The "Flames" finished second in four seasons of the NBC, but since the start of the ANZ Championship the "Tactix" have finished no higher than sixth. Home games for the Tactix are played at the 7200-seat Horncastle Arena in Christchurch. In 2012 it was announced that a game would be played in Nelson for the first time. The team uniform is primarily red and black, in line with traditional Canterbury Rugby Union colours. Their alternate uniform has the black and red colours reversed. In 2019 "The Good Oil" became the naming right sponsor for the Tactix. Prior to this they have had naming sponsors such as Silvermoon in 2017, Easiyo In 2012 and Mercury Energy In 2009.
History
Background
The ANZ Championship was founded in 2007 as the new elite domestic netball competition in New Zealand and Australia. It replaced the National Bank Cup in New Zealand and the Commonwealth Bank Trophy in Australia, which both played their final season in 2007. When the new trans-Tasman competition was announced, the competition was reported to feature five teams from each country. For the new competition, five New Zealand franchises were formed from amalgamations of National Bank Cup teams. A franchise based in Canterbury was an obvious selection. They were a direct replacement of the Canterbury Flames from the NBC.
2008: Inaugural season
The Tactix, like most of the New Zealand-based teams, struggled in their first season, ending up a disappointing 8th. They were coached by Helen Mahon-Stroud and were captained by ex-Silver Fern captain, Julie Seymour.
2009
Tactix had their most successful year yet in 2009, finishing a respectful 6th, picking up several famous wins along the way. The Tactix have since come 10th every year since.
2010/11
2010 saw the retirement of veteran Julie Seymour, and the Tactix finished last for the first time. Maree Bowden took up the captaincy for 2010, while Donna Wilkins co-captained in 2011. 2011 saw the 2011 Christchurch earthquake which severely disrupted their season, leaving them with another wooden spoon, despite having a decent team on paper. 2011 import Kasey Evering suffered an ACL injury midseason, leaving the defence end light.
2012
The fallout from the earthquake continued, with recruitment made harder, and finances difficult and the city was in rebuild mode. Tactix were allowed a second import to help balance this, although Stacey Francis was injured for most of the season. Joanne Harten was the other import signed for the 2012 season, along with Elizabeth Manu from the Central Pulse and midcourter Keshia Grant, to go with the remaining members from previous years. Helen Mahon-Stroud stood down from the job, and ex-Silver Ferns coach Leigh Gibbs was named as head coach, a position she has retained for the 2013 season. Regardless, the Tactix finished last for the third time running, although they did win two games and managed to beat an Australian team for the first time since 2009.
2013
The Tactix have made several changes for the 2013 season, mainly to cover the loss of captain Maree Bowden, and Anna Galvan, who have both retired. They were once again allowed two imports, which they used to re-sign English shooter Joanne Harten, and also the English captain and former Northern Mystics midcourter Jade Clarke. They have also signed Silver Ferns squad member Julianna Naoupu in place of foundation member Ellen Halpenny.
