By Ashlee Tulloch
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic arrived home this afternoon with the silverware that no other New Zealand team has managed to get their hands on: the ANZ Championship trophy.
It has taken five years, three grand finals and a 12-game winning streak - but the Magic have finally claimed the trophy and the championship title that goes with it.
The experience was breathtaking, or in Casey Williams’ case, voice-taking.
“[It’s] worth it, it’s all worth it,” says Williams.
The airport this afternoon resembled scenes similar to last night, and after a challenging start to the season - losing their first four games – the team were ecstatic.
“But it hasn’t been without its trouble, it’s certainly made a lot sweeter when you come out from a season like we've had,” says Laura Langman.
And making history made the victory even sweeter. After losing two finals already it looked like the nerves had got to them again early on.
But despite errors at one end of the court, at the other end Williams and Leana de Druin, named MVP, were keeping them in the game with some outstanding defence.
Straight after the game young guns Elias Shadrock and Julianna Naoupu were struggling to come to terms with what they'd just achieved, but they weren't the only ones, even the senior campaigners were in disbelief.
While Irene Van Dyk admitted it was very emotional, especially with her mother only passing away a week ago, it's also given her extra incentive to play on.
While Van Dyk flies out to her mother's funeral in the morning the rest of the team plan to keep celebrating.
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