The Mainland Tactix netball team have appointed Erikana Pedersen to captain the side for the upcoming 2025 ANZ Premiership season, with Karin Burger as vice-captain.
This will be Pedersen’s first time stepping into the lead role, following the move by former captain Kimiora Poi to the Southern Steel.
In a written statement by the Tactix, Pedersen said she is focused on creating an environment where all players feel seen and heard and confident in themselves on and off the court.
“It’s an honour to lead this team this season,” Pedersen said.
“I’m really looking forward to growing the legacy of the red and black dress alongside my sisters.”
Having retired at the end of 2021 after seven seasons with the Tactix, Pedersen was called to answer the Pulse’s injury woes in 2022, before returning to the Tactix in 2024.
Pedersen is a seasoned veteran in the mid-court, and will use her experience to lead the team in 2025.
“Last year we came so close, yet there were critical moments we let slip,” she said.
“I’m hoping that this season we can learn from this and that we can all step up when these moments are presented to us again.”
Vice-captain Karin Burger returns for a fifth season with the Tactix, having played in the Silver Ferns squad since 2018 and the FAST5 Netball World Series. Her outstanding form in the black dress at the end of last year is a pointer to her influence on and off court in the Tactix.
For newly appointed Tactix coach Donna Wilkins, she knew Burger and Pedersen would rally the players, especially during tough times on the court.
“Erikana and Karin are very experienced players and great leaders; they know the Tactix environment that they live and breathe and our team expectations and values,” Wilkins said.
The Tactix will come up against their South Island rivals, the Southern Steel, in their first game of the season in Christchurch, on May 11.
