Southern Steel finalises 2017 team

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel have finalised their roster for the 2017 ANZ Netball Elite League, re-signing defender Abby Erwood and shooter Jamie Hume.

Plying their trade at opposite ends of the court, the talented duo are members of the Silver Ferns Development Squad and have their sights firmly set on Netball World Youth Cup 2017 in Botswana.

Erwood, who was raised in South Otago, was thrilled to earn a contract with the Steel after a successful rookie season which saw her debut in the hotly-contested New Zealand Conference Final.

Hume, originally from Clyde in Central Otago, is yet to earn her first cap for Steel but her performances for the Netball South team which won the Beko Netball League title earned her a Silver Ferns trial and subsequent selection in the NZA team.

“In a Steel squad of 10, the exciting prospect for Abby, Jamie and Jennifer is being the next cab off the rank to back up the starting seven,” Steel chief executive Lana Winders said.

“It’s fantastic for the South to see our own home-grown talent rise through our performance programmes and shine on the elite stage.”

The pair will be joined in 2017 by captain Wendy Frew, Shannon Francois, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Jane Watson, Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Gina Crampton, Jennifer O’Connell and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.