Team Preview: Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel

ANZPremiership.co.nz takes a look at the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel as we count down to the start of the season on March 26.

Home venues: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill; More FM Arena, Dunedin

Coach: Reinga Bloxham

Captain: Wendy Frew

Team: view player profiles

Game changer: Wendy Frew

She’s the heart of the south and she’s their inspirational captain. No one typifies the spirit of the Steel more than Wendy Frew. A fearless competitor on the court, Wendy is the linchpin of the midcourt, driving the ball from defence into attack. When your back is to the wall, you want Wendy on your side; the ability to pull out the big play is why she’s the Steel’s game changers.

Match winner: Jhaniele Fowler-Reid

As one of world Netball’s most prolific shooters and the league’s tallest, it’s hard to go past Jhaniele Fowler-Reid as the match winner for the Steel. After adding a couple of new tricks to her repertoire in recent years, Fowler-Reid is going to be mighty hard to stop. Not only is she deadly accurate with ball in hand, but the sheer volume of shoots she puts up makes her the front runner for the league’s leading shooter.

Player to watch: Abby Erwood

A member of the NZU21 NWYC squad, Abby Erwood is a tough and uncompromising defender - a real star of the future.

What the coach says:

“We’re looking to bring a lot of speed, excitement and a really sharp looking team to the ANZ Premiership,” coach Reinga Bloxham said.

“Consistency will be important, but we want to ensure we bring a fast and furious game.”

First Match:

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel will create history when they take on the Northern Stars in the first game of the ANZ Premiership. The match will be played as part of a blockbuster Super Sunday featuring all six teams on March 26 at Claudelands Arena, Hamilton – GET TICKETS