Silver Ferns defender Jane Watson is leaving the champion Southern Steel to return to Canterbury.
Watson earned the ANZ Premiership Player of the Year honours after helping the Steel to an unbeaten season.
Jane Watson on debut. Photo: Photosport
Watson, born in Christchurch, played for the Tactix from 2012 to 2014 before moving south.
In 2016, Watson was selected for the Silver Ferns and has been a regular in the side since then.
"It was an incredibly tough decision because I've just loved every minute down here. However, this is bigger than netball - it's the right decision for me personally," she said.
Representing her home zone certainly has a huge element of pride attached and Watson is eager to see the red, black and blue of the Silvermoon Tactix be a dominant force on the national netball scene.
Netball pundits would question leaving a championship-winning team but Watson is confident the Tactix franchise was on the verge of a transformation.
"They realised that change needed to happen and I saw some positive results of that towards the end of this season. I am really looking forward to re-joining the Tactix and being part of a new journey," she said.
Tactix Head Coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek said "We are delighted to have Jane come home to the Mainland to play her Netball. Jane will add to the performance and cultural changes we have already implemented and brings an expectation of success both on and off the court."
Watson has played under Head Coach Marianne Delany-Hoshek previously at NZA level and is familiar with a number of players who are likely to be on the Tactix roster for 2018.
The 2018 ANZ Premiership commences in May 2018, post Commonwealth Games.
