Tactix defender ruled out of remainder of ANZ Premiership season

Greer Sinclair of the Tactix during the ANZ Premiership netball match, Tactix Vs Magic, Mainpower Stadium, Rangiora, New Zealand, 27th March 2023.
Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2023 www.photosport.nz

Tactix defender Greer Sinclair has been ruled out for the remainder of the ANZ Premiership season after injuring her foot in an accident at home.

She underwent surgery on Easter Monday to repair a tendon in her foot and will begin her recovery as soon as possible but will not take any further part in this year’s netball Premiership.

But the Tactix have got a capable replacement in former Pulse player Paris Lokotui, who’s come back from her own season ending knee injury.

The 21-year-old was struck with an ACL injury two thirds of the way through her second season with the Pulse last year.

An explosive wing defence, Lokotui was named in the 2021/22 Silver Ferns development squad at the end of her first ANZ Premiership season.

Sinclair moved south to Christchurch to take up a contract with the Tactix this season and has been playing at wing defence alongside Silver Ferns Jane Watson and Karin Burger.

Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek said they were gutted to lose the 22-year-old at the mid-way point of their campaign and felt for the young defender in what was an unfortunate accident at home.

“We are all so sad for Greer, her family and for ourselves as a team,” Delaney-Hoshek said. “Greer has been playing some wonderful netball and has been a real contributor to our team both on and off court.

“This was Greer’s first year as a fully contracted player and she was making great strides in her game. It’s really unfortunate this has happened, but we know she will work hard to get back for netball next season.”

Lokotui has been playing for Mainland in the National Netball League.

Delaney-Hoshek said Lokotui had been working alongside the Tactix as part of the Mainland squad and with previous Premiership experience, was an obvious option to replace Sinclair on defence.

“Paris has been working really hard since her move to Christchurch and I’m sure she’ll grab this opportunity with both hands,” she said.

A multi-talented sports woman, Lokotui has also played basketball at a high level.

The Trident Homes Tactix, who are sitting second on the ANZ Premiership points table, head to Tauranga to take on the Magic at Trustpower Baypark Arena in Tauranga on Sunday.

Paris Lokotui is a multi-talented sports woman, having also played basketball at a high level.
Photo: Photosport