Originally arriving at the Steel as an interim replacement player last season, rising young defender Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa ended up staying for the duration, playing in every game for the southerners and returns to her new home for 2026. The versatile defender enjoyed a breakout year at the elite level in 2025, claiming both the Aspiring Silver Fern award and New Zealand Under-21 Player of the Year in the NZ Netball Awards to underline her impact and promise on the national stage. Skilled at covering the goal defence, wing defence and centre positions, Munro-Nonoa was a key member of the Comets team in the National Netball League and elevated to the Stars ANZ Premiership squad in 2024 before getting the call south where she has since thrived. A powerful one-on-one defender with a strong attacking game, Munro-Nonoa was the vice-captain of the silver medal-winning NZ U21 team at last year’s World Youth Cup and has impressed with her potential at the top level.
