Amy Christophers (right) and Monalisa Groom in action during a match between Hamilton and Wellington at the Lion Foundation Netball Champs in 2014. Photo Credit ©Michael Bradley. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography
Amy Christophers' first season for the Magic was way back in 2010 when Silver Ferns' legends Laura Langman, Irene van Dyk, and Casey Kopua were fixtures in the side.
Christophers isn't sure what shocked her more - a call from Dame Noeline Taurua offering her a spot in the Magic when she was just 17 or being asked to join this year's side 13 years later.
Christophers was named as a replacement player late last year after a knee injury ruled Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic defender Oceane Maihi out of the 2023 season.
Her first opportunity to play in New Zealand's top domestic competition came after she was offered a contract at the end of her seventh form year at Tauranga's Otumoetai College.
By that stage she had played at age-group and New Zealand secondary school level and also excelled in volleyball and athletics - qualities that added to her appeal for then Magic and now Silver Ferns' coach Dame Noeline.
Back then teams had 12 player rosters and given the players already established in that side, it's not surprising she spent her entire rookie season on the bench in the 2010 trans-Tasman season.
Laura Langman (left) and Casey Kopua are part of the Magic legacy. Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung
That year the Magic made the final against Adelaide in the former ANZ Championship.
"With those netball icons it was amazing, very intimidating as a 17 -18 year old in that environment, but it was just an amazing experience," Christophers said.
She missed out on a contract the following year and her only real option was to play at club level.
Christophers has played netball off and on in the intervening years and did a lot of stuff young people do.
"For the next three or four years I finished studying science at Waikato University, did my Masters, played club and for the Bay at the New Zealand Open champs. Then I went overseas and did some travel and worked for a bit.
"I played club just for fun in between when I was back from overseas and stuff, but I didn't play competitive netball for a fair few years."
Christophers experienced a bit of a renaissance when she started playing club netball again after settling back in Tauranga a few years ago.
"It was just for fun and to meet friends because I was moving back, but it's just been great along the way and I've fallen in love with the game again."
Then Christophers played her first year of National Netball League (NNL) last year for Waikato-BOP.
The NNL, which sits below the ANZ Premiership, didn't exist when Christophers was in that post high school period where some players slip through the cracks.
"It's a great competition for growth and development feeding into the ANZ Premiership and it provided the opportunity for me, but it is focussed on development and the teams are generally very young so I did feel old in that league," laughs Christophers.
She also teamed up with Magic defender Erena Mikaere for Tauranga at last September's Netball Open Championships.
But it came as a shock when Magic coach Mary-Jane Araroa asked if she wanted to join her 10-strong squad for this year's ANZ Premiership.
From left to right Reeghan de Bono, Amy Christophers and Monica Faumui. De Bono and Faumui are Magic training partners. Photo: Waikato-BOP MAGIC
Having played no higher than regional level netball for more than a decade, has returning to the elite ranks been a shock to the system?
"Yes and no, it was definitely a step up again just in terms of the commitment and the time and the game has changed a bit since I last played at a competitive/regional level. I would say it's a bit more physical maybe.
"There's just a lot more surrounding it too in terms of all the inputs, the extra strength and conditioning, the video analysis, all that kind of stuff that we do outside of playing the game itself."
Her employer Geotech have been flexible and she's gone down to part-time hours for the season.
"It's not where I saw myself in 2023 but hey here we are and I'm really enjoying it."
The 31-year-old never thought she would be given the opportunity again.
"I really didn't think that was going to come by, I thought that that time in my life had passed you know in terms of being with the Magic netball team.
"But honestly it's just such a privilege to be part of the team again and just really enjoying the environment ...maybe not as much pressure and being older just means you can enjoy it and yeah it's been great fun.
Christophers said her family was excited for her and just wanted her to enjoy it the second time around.
What would it mean to her to finally get that debut?
"Honestly it will mean, I think I finally will be part of the family once I get that opportunity ...it would just be amazing to get out there and finally get the chance to really wear the Magic dress, when the time comes."
The Magic play their second round game against the Stars in Tauranga this Saturday.
