Kia Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic is gearing up for a busy ANZ Championship, with the 2015 season featuring six matches on home turf.

Starting February 28, the 2015 season will feature two games at Tauranga's ASB Stadium, three at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton and one at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua, where the girls will no doubt receive warm receptions.

Kia Magic coach Casey Kopua and teammates Jo Trip and Samantha Sinclair meet some of their youngest fans during a visit to Tauranga Intermediate last week. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

'Our membership has more than tripled this year, which we're very excited about,” says coach Julie Fitzgerald.

Led by on court captain Leana de Bruin, the Magic team will be without inspirational leader Casey Kopua, who suffered a serious knee injury during a Constellation Cup test match against Australia last October.

'Casey is working extremely hard but it will be a very long process,” says Julie. 'We don't know when she'll be back yet, we just hope that she's able to lead New Zealand at the world champs.”

Stepping on court with a particularly young team, Julie is expecting an unpredictable season, with players including Samantha Sinclair, Jamie-lee Price and Malia Paseka returning for their second championship season – and first-time players at championship level: Aisha Bower and Kristiana Manu'a.

'It's often difficult to get consistency out of a young team. But I'm very, very hopeful that we will continue to improve throughout the season.

'I think you'll see some really future players developing at a great rate.”

The Magic team is the most successful New Zealand side in the ANZ Championship after making the elusive Finals Series every year since the league's inception in 2008.

Julie and the girls have their eye on another championship win this season. 'That's what we're aiming for, but definitely one game at a time”.

For 2015 match draws and results, see www.mynetball.co.nz/anz-championship-teams/magic/draws-and-results