Despite a disrupted build up, Robinhood Stars captain Maia Wilson believes the stars are aligning ahead of the beginning of their 2022 ANZ Premiership campaign.
The Stars were scheduled to face Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in the opening round last weekend before the game was postponed due to Covid-19 cases in the Pulse camp.
The turbulent pre-season has affected all teams and Wilson says they’ve tried to be realistic in an ever-changing environment.
“It has been a bit here, there and everywhere for us. As a franchise we value people’s time and knowing that the current situation means we may not have everyone at training all the time. We’re coming into our first game this weekend with it being the first time we’ve had all 10 players and Greer our training partner actually come in and train with us so we’re feeling good.” Wilson said.
“We all had a run out of 60 minutes on Wednesday which was much needed as we’re all in different stages of coming back. It’s nice to have everyone back and we’re really lucky to have consolidated majority of our players from last year which makes us have an advantage to previous seasons.”
The Stars are wanting to build on a promising 2021 campaign where they finished fourth.
Foundation players Holly Fowler and Kayla Johnson are the new additions in 2022 and Wilson says it’s great to have consistency around the squad.
“It’s really nice to have Holly and Kayla back. It’s not like they don’t know who we are or what we’re about and while the culture has developed a bit since they were last here, by the looks of it they’re enjoying themselves and loving it and feeling supported by the group and the rest of us here from last year are wanting to take it that next step further.” Wilson added.
Team culture is an important part of the Stars fabric and the team spend as much time with each other off the court as they do on it.
“We really enjoy spending time with each other outside of trainings and for some players Auckland isn’t home, so we are that extended family who is there to back each other up. There’s a lot of at home dinner dates, picnics and walks in the parks. We are having a cultural kai after training today to congratulate ourselves on making it through the extended pre-season and closing that chapter and looking ahead, so really bringing those Matariki values into who we are and being able to share our own cultures and we find it really important to know everyone’s identity and that they’re valued here.” Wilson explains.
The Stars travel to Christchurch to face the Trident Homes Tactix on Sunday and after a false start to the season, are brimming with excitement around finally taking to the court.
“All of us have itchy feet after seeing round one go ahead last weekend and it was a bit like what about us? Why can’t we go? But that’s just how it’s going to happen, and we don’t know what’s going to happen in two days’ time, let alone the next couple of weeks. It’s a case of making sure we are as safe as we can be so we can get out there and play and give people the best show of their lives.”
