The MG Mystics have named experienced campaigner Michaela Sokolich-Beatson as the team’s captain for the 2024 season.

Sokolich-Beatson takes the reins from Sulu Fitzpatrick who retired at the conclusion of the 2023 season after three years at the helm of the MG Mystics.

When the ANZ Premiership begins on Saturday 13^th April, Sokolich-Beatson will lead the MG Mystics in defence of their title and in what will be her ninth consecutive year with the side, after making her debut in the blue dress in 2016.

MG Mystics head coach Tia Winikerei says, “I am delighted that our team has chosen Miccy to be their captain. Miccy cares deeply about our team and and I know Miccy will carry this position with humility and strength.  She is incredibly disciplined, resilient, and hardworking.  She leads the training environment from the front and our team follows her voice with respect.  Her sharp eye for performance, her openness to embrace support from her peers and staff and her heart of genuine care, makes her perfect for the role. She is an exceptional athlete and person and the MG Mystics are super proud and very lucky to have her.”

Fellow defender and Silver Ferns teammate Phoenix Karaka has been named vice-captain in what will be her fifth season with the Mystics.

“Phee is an incredible athlete and person, with a dynamic skill-set and gentle heart for people.  She has a beautiful balance of strength and manaaki for the team and you will often feel her sharp edge for performance at training and in games. Yet afterwards she has nothing but love and care for her teammates and the staff. She is a clear leader in her own right, is super supportive of Miccy and the coaching staff and has contributed to the Mystics for many years. Together I am confident Miccy and Phee will make a fantastic partnership and lead the team with the energy, strength and manaaki the team deserves,” says Winikerei.

In the process of earning 84-caps in the ANZ Premiership, Sokolich-Beatson has become renowned for her strong leadership both on and off the court, having served as vice-captain of the MG Mystics since 2019 and having led the NZ U-21 side to the Netball World Youth Cup title in 2017.

“I have so many emotions about being the 2024 captain for the Mystics – excited, honoured, nervous and hopeful. I know I’ve got a lot to learn, but I love this team and I care deeply about each and every one in our environment and I’m ready for the challenge,” says Sokolich-Beatson.

After enduring two seasons on the side-lines with injury, Sokolich-Beatson has made a dominant return to netball, this year being named in the Silver Ferns for the Nations Cup in January after five years away from international netball.

She is one of five Silver Ferns to play for the MG Mystics this season including Phoenix Karaka, Grace Nweke, Peta Toeava and recent debutant Tayla Earle.

The MG Mystics kick-off the ANZ Premiership on Saturday 13^th April with the season-opener versus the AVIS Magic at 4pm at Globox Arena in Hamilton.

Go to northernmystics.co.nz to find out more and to purchase tickets to upcoming fixtures.