Southern Steel
Encyclopedia
The Southern Steel are a New Zealand
netball
team based in Invercargill
that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship
. The franchise was formed as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup
, the Dunedin
-based Otago Rebels
and the Invercargill-based Southern Sting
. After the National Bank Cup was retired in 2007, the newly formed Steel joined four other New Zealand franchises in the new ANZ Championship, representing the New Zealand regions of Otago and Southland
.
Home games in the ANZ Championship are usually played at Stadium Southland
in Invercargill, with some matches also played at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin. For the 2011 season, most home games will be played in the Invercargill ILT Velodrome
adjacent to Stadium Southland, after heavy snow caused the roof of the main venue to collapse.
The Steel were coached by Robyn Broughton
from the teams inaugural season in 2008-2011. She coached the championship-winning Southern Sting in the National Bank Cup also from 1998 to 2007. But in early May 2011 after a fairly poor season the Steel confirmed Broughton's head coach position would be advertised. On 20 May it was confirmed former Otago Rebels
coach and New Zealand under 21 coach Janine Southby
would co-coach the side with former Australian international, former Southern Sting
shooter and Southland coach Natalie Avellino
, replacing Broughton who decided not to re-apply.
In four years, the team colours have changed three times: presently, the team kit is primarily light blue, with dark blue and pink.
In late December 2010, it was confirmed midcourters Wendy Frew and Liana Leota would take over the reins as co-captains for 2011, replacing Megan Dehn
from 2010.
Five New Zealand teams were approved for the new competition – three from the North Island, two from the South Island – in early May 2007, including one representing Southland and Otago. Southern TeamCo was set up to develop the new Southland-Otago franchise. Robyn Broughton, coach of the Southern Sting that dominated the National Bank Cup, was appointed as head coach for the new team early in the development stage. Donna Wilkins was signed as assistant coach in December that year.
Suggestions were invited from the public for a name for the new franchise, but the most popular ideas – including 'Ice', 'Roar', 'Fusion' and 'Seanix' – were ruled out for various reasons. A brand-specialist company based in Christchurch was consulted, who came up with the name 'Steel'. This name was unanimously agreed upon by the Southern TeamCo board and announced in November 2007, along with the franchise's new logo.
After prolonged negotiations between the New Zealand Players Association and Trans Tasman Netball Ltd, New Zealand franchises were allowed to begin recruiting players in late December 2007; this included the allowance of one import player. The team for the 2008 ANZ Championship season, comprising twelve players, was confirmed and announced on 26 January 2008. The team contained four Silver Ferns
(Debbie White, Liana Leota, Katrina Grant, Daneka Wipiiti), two experienced former internationals (Megan Dehn and Jenny-May Coffin), two New Zealand A squad members (Erika Burgess, Jessica Tuki) and three New Zealand U21 team members (Te Huinga Reo Selby-Ricket, Wendy Frew, Julianna Naoupou); Megan Hutton was previously an overall MVP in the English Netball Superleague
. Donna Wilkins, who previously played for the Southern Sting, signed as an assistant coach rather than as a player. Previous Silver Ferns captain Adine Wilson
was unavailable for selection, but announced her intention to return to competitive netball and the Steel for 2009. Tania Dalton
was drafted onto the Steel bench during the season, covering injuries.
The Southern Steel made a successful start to the ANZ Championship
, making the final series twice in the first three seasons, in 2009 and 2010. The side was led by co-captais Jenny-May Coffin
and Megan Hutton
in 2008,Adine Wilson
took over in 2009, before later retiring, and was replaced by Megan Dehn
in 2010. Always a tough side to beat at home, the Steel boased one of the best home records throughout the early seasons of the trans-Tasman competition, upsetting several tough rivals throughout the three seasons. The Steel used 22 players from 2008 to 2010, with 12 boasting experience at international level. Players to don the colours of the Steel through this time period included Donna Wilkins
, Adine Wilson
, Leana de Bruin
, Sheryl Scanlan
, Megan Dehn
and Wendy Frew. Liana Leota was the first player to reach 40 games for the Steel in three seasons, playing almost every quarter in at WA. Successful New Zealand coach Robyn Broughton
coached the franchise, leading the team a winning percentage of around 70% in the tough ANZ Championship
.
But the franchise wasn't without a touch of controversy, with longtime southern netballer Donna Wilkins
falling out with the franchise after the 2009 season. Wilkins blamed Steel management for a lack in support after giving birth to her first child prior to the 2009 season. She would later stand down from the game, before returning in 2011 to play for the Canterbury Tactix.
The Invercargill Licensing Trust
continued to proudly sponsor the Steel throughout this period, via their flagship hotel Ascot Park. The Trust, sponsors of netball in Southland since the early 1990's, pumped in a six figure fee to the franchise annually, giving them an edge over rival franchises financially.
Recruitment mode started early for the Invercargill
-based Southern Steel franchise. The team started by confirming coach Robyn Broughton
would return for another season. The franchise then moved onto re-signing its squad. The Steel confirmed that current or former internationals shooter Daneka Wipiiti
, mid courters Liana Leota, Wendy Frew and defenders Sheryl Scanlan
, Erika Burgess
and Leana de Bruin
would be back for 2011, along with up and comers Hayley Saunders
and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit
. The franchise then moved into signing four more names to its team. Silver Ferns star Paula Griffin
and Australian international Natasha Chokljat
were poached from the Central Pulse
and Melbourne Vixens
respectively and would be the franchises two marquee signings. Young gun shooters Te Paea Selby-Rickit
and Sophia Fenwick
were also included after impressing at National Provincial level. Four players would be missing from the 2010 squad. Promising shooters Julianna Naoupu
and Jade Topia
left the franchise, Naoupu heading to the Magic and Topia to the Pulse
in a bid for more court time. Midcourter Emma Moynihan missed her spot in the team for 2011, while captain Megan Dehn
was surplus to requirements at the franchise after three seasons. Failing to gain citizenship after the team signed fellow Australian Natasha Chokljat
, Dehn said goodbye to the Invercargill-based team before linking with the Northern Mystics
in what is expected to be her last ANZ Championship
season.
In late December, it was confirmed midcourters Wendy Frew and Liana Leota would take over the reins as co-captains.
A freak snow storm in September, in which the roof fell in at the Steel's main stadium
means the team will play their four planned matches in Invercargill
at the ILT Velodrome
, attached to Stadium Southland
. A temporary facility will be set up for 2011 season. With reduced capacity, 4300 down to 2800, fans were required to line-up to book season tickets for the new ANZ Championship
season.
The Steel's home is expected to be re-built and ready for the 2012 season. Locals were asked what changes could be made, and one was increased capacity from around 4400 up to 5000. The stadium boasted a large capacity when it was first built in 2000, but increased popularity for the Steel and fellow basketball franchise the Southland Sharks
now means a larger seating number would be ideal for the future.
The Steel had an unfortunate start to the new ANZ Championship
season. Injuries to key players such as Daneka Wipiiti
, Natasha Chokljat
and Sheryl Scanlan
meant the Steel were unable to hit their straps from the start. The Invercargill franchise lost its opening two games to the Northern Mystics
and Waikato/BOP Magic, but defeated the Central Pulse
in Wellington
in round three 45-43. The side then suffered another loss, this time to the Queensland Firebirds
in Brisbane
before wins at home against the Central Pulse
once again and the Adelaide Thunderbirds
. Star import Natasha Chokljat
returned for these two home matches, adding speed to the teams midcourt. The Steel later lost to the Canterbury Tactix in Christchurch
, before another defeat to the Melbourne Vixens
42-33. The Steel matched up against the Canterbury Tactix a week later, this time winning 49-40. Paula Griffin
was in great form shooting 34/39 from goal shoot. Coach Robyn Broughton
was forced to move Silver Fern Daneka Wipiiti
to goal attack, in order to fix the teams attacking problems. The Steel lost its final three matches at home, ending their worst ANZ Championship
season. Going down the Waikato/BOP Magic once again 38-33, before defeats at the hands of the Swifts and Mystics
.
A week later, Steel CEO Julie Paterson confirmed the franchise would advertise the head coaching position, held by Robyn Broughton
for the previous 14 seasons. She decided against re-applying, and was replaced on 20 May by New Zealand under 21 coach Janine Southby
and former Australian international, former Southern Sting
shooter and Southland coach Natalie Avellino
, the pair taking over as co-coaches. The transfer period now begins and franchise will be looking to who they will re-sign in 2012, and who they will recruit from rival franchises.
, the Steel confirmed her replacements in Natalie Avellino
and Janine Southby
. The franchise started their recruitment for 2012, with Silver Fern shooter Jodi Brown
unveiled as the first signing. Days later the Steel confirmed local talents Wendy Frew and Hayley Saunders
would also be returning.
ANZ Championship MVP Leana de Bruin confirmed she wouldn't return to Invercargill
in 2012 - with the 32 year-old linking with the Waikato/BOP Magic for next season - opting to be closer to her family. The franchise later lost young guns Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit
and Paula Griffin
to the Central Pulse
. Silver Fern midcourter Liana Leota was the fourth player to signal her departure, with the co-captain confirming she is heading to the UK
, with rugby playing husband Johnny Leota.
The franchise added a further three players to its list recently. The franchise confirmed that Steel rookie shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit
would return, along side uncapped ANZ player Louise Thayer and NSW Swifts midcourter Courtney Tairi
. Steel CEO Julie Paterson kept her word in signing youngsters - all three players are under 23 years of age. The franchise were then on the lookout for a defender. The Steel had been linked to several top class defenders for 2012, including Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams
, Australian Mo'onia Gerrard
and promising youngster Kayla Cullen
. But all three re-signed for their respective clubs.
Tall former Australian international Demelza McCloud was officially revealed as the Steel's import for 2012. New co-coach Janine Southby
later announced that they were chasing former Silver Fern and Steel shooter Donna Wilkins
, and on the 28th of September this was confirmed. The Steel were linked to Silver Fern squad member Charlotte Kight
who turned down a contract with the Canterbury Tactix for 2012, but later opted to move north and join the Mystics
.
The Steel have sinced confirmed the signing of New Zealand under 21 squad defender Storm Purvis to round out their squad.
, in Invercargill
. The multi-complex arena is home not only to the Southern Steel, but also the Southland Sharks
basketball franchise, and formerly the Southern Sting
in the National Bank Cup
netball league. The stadium was built in 2000, and has a capacity of 4200. The arena contains thirteen sports courts, a squash complex, business rooms, a high performance centre and a new $11 million dollar indoor velodrome
, New Zealand's only.
The Steel do normally play home games in Dunedin
too as an alternate home game, and have played two fixtures each season at the Edgar Centre to date.
A freak snow storm in September, in which the roof fell in at the Stadium Southland
means the team will play their four planned matches in Invercargill
at the ILT Velodrome
, attached to Stadium Southland
. A temporary facility will be set up for 2011 season. With reduced capacity, 4300 down to 2800, fans were required to line-up to book season tickets for the new ANZ Championship
season.
The Steel's home is expected to be re-built and ready for the 2012 season. Locals were asked what changes could be made, and one was increased capacity from around 4400 up to 5000. The stadium boasted a large capacity when it was first built in 2000, but increased popularity for the Steel and fellow basketball franchise the Southland Sharks
now means a larger seating number would be ideal for the future.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
netball
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
team based in Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship
ANZ Championship
The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand...
. The franchise was formed as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup
National Bank Cup
The National Bank Cup was the pre-eminent national netball competition in New Zealand between 1998 and 2007. From 2008, it was replaced by the ANZ Championship.-Format:...
, the Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
-based Otago Rebels
Otago Rebels
The Otago Rebels was a New Zealand netball team which represented Otago in the National Bank Cup.Otago Rebels were the first team to win the inaugural Coca-Cola Cup...
and the Invercargill-based Southern Sting
Southern Sting
The Southern Sting were a netball team based in Invercargill, New Zealand that competed in The National Bank Cup competition, formerly known as the Coca Cola Cup....
. After the National Bank Cup was retired in 2007, the newly formed Steel joined four other New Zealand franchises in the new ANZ Championship, representing the New Zealand regions of Otago and Southland
Southland Region
Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region and is also a district within that region. It consists mainly of the southwestern portion of the South Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura...
.
Home games in the ANZ Championship are usually played at Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
in Invercargill, with some matches also played at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin. For the 2011 season, most home games will be played in the Invercargill ILT Velodrome
Invercargill ILT Velodrome
The Invercargill ILT Velodrome is the only indoor velodrome in New Zealand. The $11 million dollar velodrome is an indoor complex next to Stadium Southland, built on the western side of the stadium proper....
adjacent to Stadium Southland, after heavy snow caused the roof of the main venue to collapse.
The Steel were coached by Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton MNZM is a New Zealand netball coach. Broughton coached the Southern Sting from 1998–2007 during the National Bank Cup, winning seven titles in ten years. She was also an assistant coach for the New Zealand national netball team from 2000–02, and is currently a national selector...
from the teams inaugural season in 2008-2011. She coached the championship-winning Southern Sting in the National Bank Cup also from 1998 to 2007. But in early May 2011 after a fairly poor season the Steel confirmed Broughton's head coach position would be advertised. On 20 May it was confirmed former Otago Rebels
Otago Rebels
The Otago Rebels was a New Zealand netball team which represented Otago in the National Bank Cup.Otago Rebels were the first team to win the inaugural Coca-Cola Cup...
coach and New Zealand under 21 coach Janine Southby
Janine Southby
Janine Southby is a retired New Zealand netball player and current co-coach of the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship. Southby played for the Western Flyers in the National Bank Cup competition from 1997–2001, before transferring to her home team the Dunedin based Otago Rebels in 2002...
would co-coach the side with former Australian international, former Southern Sting
Southern Sting
The Southern Sting were a netball team based in Invercargill, New Zealand that competed in The National Bank Cup competition, formerly known as the Coca Cola Cup....
shooter and Southland coach Natalie Avellino
Natalie Avellino
Natalie Avellino is a retired Australian netballer, and current co-coach of the Southern Steel netball team in the ANZ Championship...
, replacing Broughton who decided not to re-apply.
In four years, the team colours have changed three times: presently, the team kit is primarily light blue, with dark blue and pink.
In late December 2010, it was confirmed midcourters Wendy Frew and Liana Leota would take over the reins as co-captains for 2011, replacing Megan Dehn
Megan Dehn
Megan Dehn is an Australian international netballer from Woy Woy, New South Wales. A former Australian representative player, she currently plays in the ANZ Championship for New Zealand–based team the Northern Mystics....
from 2010.
Formation
The Southern Steel were formed as an amalgamation of two teams from the previous National Bank Cup: the Otago Rebels and the Southern Sting. The National Bank Cup played its final season in 2007, after which it was announced that a new trans-Tasman netball competition would replace it.Five New Zealand teams were approved for the new competition – three from the North Island, two from the South Island – in early May 2007, including one representing Southland and Otago. Southern TeamCo was set up to develop the new Southland-Otago franchise. Robyn Broughton, coach of the Southern Sting that dominated the National Bank Cup, was appointed as head coach for the new team early in the development stage. Donna Wilkins was signed as assistant coach in December that year.
Suggestions were invited from the public for a name for the new franchise, but the most popular ideas – including 'Ice', 'Roar', 'Fusion' and 'Seanix' – were ruled out for various reasons. A brand-specialist company based in Christchurch was consulted, who came up with the name 'Steel'. This name was unanimously agreed upon by the Southern TeamCo board and announced in November 2007, along with the franchise's new logo.
After prolonged negotiations between the New Zealand Players Association and Trans Tasman Netball Ltd, New Zealand franchises were allowed to begin recruiting players in late December 2007; this included the allowance of one import player. The team for the 2008 ANZ Championship season, comprising twelve players, was confirmed and announced on 26 January 2008. The team contained four Silver Ferns
Silver Ferns
The New Zealand national netball team, commonly known as the Silver Ferns, represent New Zealand in international netball. The team take their nickname from the Silver Tree Fern , which is an iconic emblem for many New Zealand sports teams. The Silver Ferns were formed in 1938 as a representative...
(Debbie White, Liana Leota, Katrina Grant, Daneka Wipiiti), two experienced former internationals (Megan Dehn and Jenny-May Coffin), two New Zealand A squad members (Erika Burgess, Jessica Tuki) and three New Zealand U21 team members (Te Huinga Reo Selby-Ricket, Wendy Frew, Julianna Naoupou); Megan Hutton was previously an overall MVP in the English Netball Superleague
Netball Superleague
The Netball Superleague is the elite netball competition in England, Wales and Scotland. The league, which runs from November to June, features nine teams from all areas of Britain. It is regularly shown on sports broadcaster Sky Sports, thanks to a major television deal signed in 2006. Naming...
. Donna Wilkins, who previously played for the Southern Sting, signed as an assistant coach rather than as a player. Previous Silver Ferns captain Adine Wilson
Adine Wilson
Adine Rachel Wilson Harper is a New Zealand international netball representative.-Personal background:...
was unavailable for selection, but announced her intention to return to competitive netball and the Steel for 2009. Tania Dalton
Tania Dalton
Tania Dalton is a New Zealand former international netball player. She currently works as a netball commentator on SKY Sports for international tests, the ANZ Championship and National Championships, alongside former internationals Anna Stanley, Natalie Avellino, Kathryn Harby-Williams and Bernice...
was drafted onto the Steel bench during the season, covering injuries.
2008-2010
See the Southern Steel History (2008-2010)The Southern Steel made a successful start to the ANZ Championship
ANZ Championship
The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand...
, making the final series twice in the first three seasons, in 2009 and 2010. The side was led by co-captais Jenny-May Coffin
Jenny-May Coffin
Jenny-May Coffin is a New Zealand netball player and sports commentator. Coffin previously played for the Silver Ferns, New Zealand's national netball team, for which she was the vice-captain in 2001...
and Megan Hutton
Megan Hutton
Megan Hutton is a New Zealand retired netball player. Hutton normally plays in the goal keeper position. She also played basketball for Southland....
in 2008,Adine Wilson
Adine Wilson
Adine Rachel Wilson Harper is a New Zealand international netball representative.-Personal background:...
took over in 2009, before later retiring, and was replaced by Megan Dehn
Megan Dehn
Megan Dehn is an Australian international netballer from Woy Woy, New South Wales. A former Australian representative player, she currently plays in the ANZ Championship for New Zealand–based team the Northern Mystics....
in 2010. Always a tough side to beat at home, the Steel boased one of the best home records throughout the early seasons of the trans-Tasman competition, upsetting several tough rivals throughout the three seasons. The Steel used 22 players from 2008 to 2010, with 12 boasting experience at international level. Players to don the colours of the Steel through this time period included Donna Wilkins
Donna Wilkins
Donna Wilkins is one of New Zealand's leading sportswomen, representing her country in both netball and basketball. She became married to Southland farmer Mike Wilkins on 17 March 2007...
, Adine Wilson
Adine Wilson
Adine Rachel Wilson Harper is a New Zealand international netball representative.-Personal background:...
, Leana de Bruin
Leana de Bruin
Leana de Bruin is a South African and New Zealand international netball player. De Bruin played 34 tests for South Africa before moving to New Zealand in 2000...
, Sheryl Scanlan
Sheryl Scanlan
Sheryl Scanlan is a New Zealand and Samoan international netball player. She played for the Northern Force in the National Bank Cup from 1998 until the conclusion in 2007, when the new ANZ Championship competition was announced, signing with the Northern Mystics for 2008. In 2009 though she has...
, Megan Dehn
Megan Dehn
Megan Dehn is an Australian international netballer from Woy Woy, New South Wales. A former Australian representative player, she currently plays in the ANZ Championship for New Zealand–based team the Northern Mystics....
and Wendy Frew. Liana Leota was the first player to reach 40 games for the Steel in three seasons, playing almost every quarter in at WA. Successful New Zealand coach Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton MNZM is a New Zealand netball coach. Broughton coached the Southern Sting from 1998–2007 during the National Bank Cup, winning seven titles in ten years. She was also an assistant coach for the New Zealand national netball team from 2000–02, and is currently a national selector...
coached the franchise, leading the team a winning percentage of around 70% in the tough ANZ Championship
ANZ Championship
The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand...
.
But the franchise wasn't without a touch of controversy, with longtime southern netballer Donna Wilkins
Donna Wilkins
Donna Wilkins is one of New Zealand's leading sportswomen, representing her country in both netball and basketball. She became married to Southland farmer Mike Wilkins on 17 March 2007...
falling out with the franchise after the 2009 season. Wilkins blamed Steel management for a lack in support after giving birth to her first child prior to the 2009 season. She would later stand down from the game, before returning in 2011 to play for the Canterbury Tactix.
The Invercargill Licensing Trust
Invercargill Licensing Trust
The Invercargill Licensing Trust is a Licensing Trust in the city of Invercargill in New Zealand.It has a monopoly on the development of premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages, and associated accommodation, in the city and uses the profits from these to fund school, sports and...
continued to proudly sponsor the Steel throughout this period, via their flagship hotel Ascot Park. The Trust, sponsors of netball in Southland since the early 1990's, pumped in a six figure fee to the franchise annually, giving them an edge over rival franchises financially.
Last season: 2011
See Southern Steel's 2011 season2011 Southern Steel season
The 2011 Southern Steel season is the fourth season for the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship. For their 2011 campaign, the Steel gained internationals Paula Griffin and Natasha Chokljat, but were unable to re-sign veteran Megan Dehn. The southern franchise also lost the use of their main home...
Recruitment mode started early for the Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
-based Southern Steel franchise. The team started by confirming coach Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton MNZM is a New Zealand netball coach. Broughton coached the Southern Sting from 1998–2007 during the National Bank Cup, winning seven titles in ten years. She was also an assistant coach for the New Zealand national netball team from 2000–02, and is currently a national selector...
would return for another season. The franchise then moved onto re-signing its squad. The Steel confirmed that current or former internationals shooter Daneka Wipiiti
Daneka Wipiiti
Daneka Wipiiti is a New Zealand international netball player. She is currently in the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays with the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship....
, mid courters Liana Leota, Wendy Frew and defenders Sheryl Scanlan
Sheryl Scanlan
Sheryl Scanlan is a New Zealand and Samoan international netball player. She played for the Northern Force in the National Bank Cup from 1998 until the conclusion in 2007, when the new ANZ Championship competition was announced, signing with the Northern Mystics for 2008. In 2009 though she has...
, Erika Burgess
Erika Burgess
Erika Burgess is a New Zealand netball player. Burgess plays for the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship, having previously played for the Western Flyers and Southern Sting in the National Bank Cup...
and Leana de Bruin
Leana de Bruin
Leana de Bruin is a South African and New Zealand international netball player. De Bruin played 34 tests for South Africa before moving to New Zealand in 2000...
would be back for 2011, along with up and comers Hayley Saunders
Hayley Saunders
Hayley Saunders is a New Zealand netball player and member of the Southern Steel team in the ANZ Championship...
and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit is a New Zealand netball player in the ANZ Championship, playing for the Southern Steel. In 2010, she was named along with Hayley Saunders from the Steel to play in the World FastNet Series. The FastNet Ferns were coached by Robyn Broughton, who is also in charge of the...
. The franchise then moved into signing four more names to its team. Silver Ferns star Paula Griffin
Paula Griffin
Paula Griffin is a New Zealand netball player. She is currently a member of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays in the ANZ Championship, signing with the Central Pulse for 2012....
and Australian international Natasha Chokljat
Natasha Chokljat
Natasha Chokljat is an Australian netball player. She has played international netball as a member of the Australian national team, and currently plays in the ANZ Championship for the New Zealand side the Southern Steel....
were poached from the Central Pulse
Central Pulse
The Central Pulse are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Pulse represent several New Zealand regions in the North and South Islands, from East Cape in the north to Tasman and Marlborough in the south, and were formed as an...
and Melbourne Vixens
Melbourne Vixens
The Melbourne Vixens are an Australian netball team in Melbourne that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The team were formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of the Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Kestrels from the previous Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Sharelle McMahon and Bianca Chatfield have...
respectively and would be the franchises two marquee signings. Young gun shooters Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Te Paea Selby-Rickit is a New Zealand netball player, who plays for the Southern Steel in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. Te Paea Selby-Rickit comes from a sporting family. Her two sisters both play netball, including Pulse defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit. Her father, Hud Saunders-Rickit, is...
and Sophia Fenwick
Sophia Fenwick
Sophia Fenwick is a New Zealand netball player. Fenwick was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools and New Zealand U21 teams in 2010. She was also drafted as a Temporary Replacement Player for the Canterbury Tactix in the 2010 ANZ Championship, before being offered a contract with the...
were also included after impressing at National Provincial level. Four players would be missing from the 2010 squad. Promising shooters Julianna Naoupu
Julianna Naoupu
Julianna Naoupu is a New Zealand netball player in the ANZ Championship, playing for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.-References:*...
and Jade Topia
Jade Topia
Jade Topia is a New Zealand netball player. Topia played in the National Bank Cup for the Southern Sting and Canterbury Flames . With the start of the ANZ Championship in 2008, Topia signed with the Auckland-based Northern Mystics. After the 2009 season, she transferred to the Southern Steel...
left the franchise, Naoupu heading to the Magic and Topia to the Pulse
Central Pulse
The Central Pulse are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Pulse represent several New Zealand regions in the North and South Islands, from East Cape in the north to Tasman and Marlborough in the south, and were formed as an...
in a bid for more court time. Midcourter Emma Moynihan missed her spot in the team for 2011, while captain Megan Dehn
Megan Dehn
Megan Dehn is an Australian international netballer from Woy Woy, New South Wales. A former Australian representative player, she currently plays in the ANZ Championship for New Zealand–based team the Northern Mystics....
was surplus to requirements at the franchise after three seasons. Failing to gain citizenship after the team signed fellow Australian Natasha Chokljat
Natasha Chokljat
Natasha Chokljat is an Australian netball player. She has played international netball as a member of the Australian national team, and currently plays in the ANZ Championship for the New Zealand side the Southern Steel....
, Dehn said goodbye to the Invercargill-based team before linking with the Northern Mystics
Northern Mystics
The Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup – the Northern Force and the Auckland Diamonds – after the competition was...
in what is expected to be her last ANZ Championship
ANZ Championship
The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand...
season.
In late December, it was confirmed midcourters Wendy Frew and Liana Leota would take over the reins as co-captains.
A freak snow storm in September, in which the roof fell in at the Steel's main stadium
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
means the team will play their four planned matches in Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
at the ILT Velodrome
Invercargill ILT Velodrome
The Invercargill ILT Velodrome is the only indoor velodrome in New Zealand. The $11 million dollar velodrome is an indoor complex next to Stadium Southland, built on the western side of the stadium proper....
, attached to Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
. A temporary facility will be set up for 2011 season. With reduced capacity, 4300 down to 2800, fans were required to line-up to book season tickets for the new ANZ Championship
ANZ Championship
The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand...
season.
The Steel's home is expected to be re-built and ready for the 2012 season. Locals were asked what changes could be made, and one was increased capacity from around 4400 up to 5000. The stadium boasted a large capacity when it was first built in 2000, but increased popularity for the Steel and fellow basketball franchise the Southland Sharks
Southland Sharks
The Southland Sharks are a professional basketball team based in the Southland region in the New Zealand National Basketball League.The team plays their home games at Invercargill's Stadium Southland where 3,000 of the 4,500 seats are made available for regular season games.-Establishment:The...
now means a larger seating number would be ideal for the future.
The Steel had an unfortunate start to the new ANZ Championship
ANZ Championship
The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand...
season. Injuries to key players such as Daneka Wipiiti
Daneka Wipiiti
Daneka Wipiiti is a New Zealand international netball player. She is currently in the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays with the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship....
, Natasha Chokljat
Natasha Chokljat
Natasha Chokljat is an Australian netball player. She has played international netball as a member of the Australian national team, and currently plays in the ANZ Championship for the New Zealand side the Southern Steel....
and Sheryl Scanlan
Sheryl Scanlan
Sheryl Scanlan is a New Zealand and Samoan international netball player. She played for the Northern Force in the National Bank Cup from 1998 until the conclusion in 2007, when the new ANZ Championship competition was announced, signing with the Northern Mystics for 2008. In 2009 though she has...
meant the Steel were unable to hit their straps from the start. The Invercargill franchise lost its opening two games to the Northern Mystics
Northern Mystics
The Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup – the Northern Force and the Auckland Diamonds – after the competition was...
and Waikato/BOP Magic, but defeated the Central Pulse
Central Pulse
The Central Pulse are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Pulse represent several New Zealand regions in the North and South Islands, from East Cape in the north to Tasman and Marlborough in the south, and were formed as an...
in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
in round three 45-43. The side then suffered another loss, this time to the Queensland Firebirds
Queensland Firebirds
The Queensland Firebirds are an Australian netball team based in Brisbane that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Firebirds were formed as one of the foundation teams of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy , previously the premier netball league in Australia, which was contested...
in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
before wins at home against the Central Pulse
Central Pulse
The Central Pulse are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Pulse represent several New Zealand regions in the North and South Islands, from East Cape in the north to Tasman and Marlborough in the south, and were formed as an...
once again and the Adelaide Thunderbirds
Adelaide Thunderbirds
The Adelaide Thunderbirds are an Australian netball team based in Adelaide that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Thunderbirds were formed as one of the foundation teams of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy , previously the premier netball league in Australia, which was...
. Star import Natasha Chokljat
Natasha Chokljat
Natasha Chokljat is an Australian netball player. She has played international netball as a member of the Australian national team, and currently plays in the ANZ Championship for the New Zealand side the Southern Steel....
returned for these two home matches, adding speed to the teams midcourt. The Steel later lost to the Canterbury Tactix in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, before another defeat to the Melbourne Vixens
Melbourne Vixens
The Melbourne Vixens are an Australian netball team in Melbourne that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The team were formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of the Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Kestrels from the previous Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Sharelle McMahon and Bianca Chatfield have...
42-33. The Steel matched up against the Canterbury Tactix a week later, this time winning 49-40. Paula Griffin
Paula Griffin
Paula Griffin is a New Zealand netball player. She is currently a member of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays in the ANZ Championship, signing with the Central Pulse for 2012....
was in great form shooting 34/39 from goal shoot. Coach Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton MNZM is a New Zealand netball coach. Broughton coached the Southern Sting from 1998–2007 during the National Bank Cup, winning seven titles in ten years. She was also an assistant coach for the New Zealand national netball team from 2000–02, and is currently a national selector...
was forced to move Silver Fern Daneka Wipiiti
Daneka Wipiiti
Daneka Wipiiti is a New Zealand international netball player. She is currently in the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays with the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship....
to goal attack, in order to fix the teams attacking problems. The Steel lost its final three matches at home, ending their worst ANZ Championship
ANZ Championship
The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand...
season. Going down the Waikato/BOP Magic once again 38-33, before defeats at the hands of the Swifts and Mystics
Northern Mystics
The Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup – the Northern Force and the Auckland Diamonds – after the competition was...
.
A week later, Steel CEO Julie Paterson confirmed the franchise would advertise the head coaching position, held by Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton MNZM is a New Zealand netball coach. Broughton coached the Southern Sting from 1998–2007 during the National Bank Cup, winning seven titles in ten years. She was also an assistant coach for the New Zealand national netball team from 2000–02, and is currently a national selector...
for the previous 14 seasons. She decided against re-applying, and was replaced on 20 May by New Zealand under 21 coach Janine Southby
Janine Southby
Janine Southby is a retired New Zealand netball player and current co-coach of the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship. Southby played for the Western Flyers in the National Bank Cup competition from 1997–2001, before transferring to her home team the Dunedin based Otago Rebels in 2002...
and former Australian international, former Southern Sting
Southern Sting
The Southern Sting were a netball team based in Invercargill, New Zealand that competed in The National Bank Cup competition, formerly known as the Coca Cola Cup....
shooter and Southland coach Natalie Avellino
Natalie Avellino
Natalie Avellino is a retired Australian netballer, and current co-coach of the Southern Steel netball team in the ANZ Championship...
, the pair taking over as co-coaches. The transfer period now begins and franchise will be looking to who they will re-sign in 2012, and who they will recruit from rival franchises.
Next season: 2012
After the departure of long time coach Robyn BroughtonRobyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton MNZM is a New Zealand netball coach. Broughton coached the Southern Sting from 1998–2007 during the National Bank Cup, winning seven titles in ten years. She was also an assistant coach for the New Zealand national netball team from 2000–02, and is currently a national selector...
, the Steel confirmed her replacements in Natalie Avellino
Natalie Avellino
Natalie Avellino is a retired Australian netballer, and current co-coach of the Southern Steel netball team in the ANZ Championship...
and Janine Southby
Janine Southby
Janine Southby is a retired New Zealand netball player and current co-coach of the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship. Southby played for the Western Flyers in the National Bank Cup competition from 1997–2001, before transferring to her home team the Dunedin based Otago Rebels in 2002...
. The franchise started their recruitment for 2012, with Silver Fern shooter Jodi Brown
Jodi Brown
Jodi Brown is a New Zealand netball player. Brown was a member of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns from 2002–07, earning 28 caps...
unveiled as the first signing. Days later the Steel confirmed local talents Wendy Frew and Hayley Saunders
Hayley Saunders
Hayley Saunders is a New Zealand netball player and member of the Southern Steel team in the ANZ Championship...
would also be returning.
ANZ Championship MVP Leana de Bruin confirmed she wouldn't return to Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
in 2012 - with the 32 year-old linking with the Waikato/BOP Magic for next season - opting to be closer to her family. The franchise later lost young guns Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit is a New Zealand netball player in the ANZ Championship, playing for the Southern Steel. In 2010, she was named along with Hayley Saunders from the Steel to play in the World FastNet Series. The FastNet Ferns were coached by Robyn Broughton, who is also in charge of the...
and Paula Griffin
Paula Griffin
Paula Griffin is a New Zealand netball player. She is currently a member of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays in the ANZ Championship, signing with the Central Pulse for 2012....
to the Central Pulse
Central Pulse
The Central Pulse are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Pulse represent several New Zealand regions in the North and South Islands, from East Cape in the north to Tasman and Marlborough in the south, and were formed as an...
. Silver Fern midcourter Liana Leota was the fourth player to signal her departure, with the co-captain confirming she is heading to the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, with rugby playing husband Johnny Leota.
The franchise added a further three players to its list recently. The franchise confirmed that Steel rookie shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Te Paea Selby-Rickit is a New Zealand netball player, who plays for the Southern Steel in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. Te Paea Selby-Rickit comes from a sporting family. Her two sisters both play netball, including Pulse defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit. Her father, Hud Saunders-Rickit, is...
would return, along side uncapped ANZ player Louise Thayer and NSW Swifts midcourter Courtney Tairi
Courtney Tairi
Courtney Tairi is an Australian netball player in the ANZ Championship, playing for the New South Wales Swifts.In 2009, despite Tairi not being in the New South Wales Swifts squad, Tairi was a temporary replacement player for Vanessa Ware who suffered an injury and played in one ANZ Championship...
. Steel CEO Julie Paterson kept her word in signing youngsters - all three players are under 23 years of age. The franchise were then on the lookout for a defender. The Steel had been linked to several top class defenders for 2012, including Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams
Casey Williams
Casey May Williams, ONZM is a New Zealand international netball player. Williams is the current captain of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the ANZ Championship.Williams has been a member of the New Zealand national netball...
, Australian Mo'onia Gerrard
Mo'onia Gerrard
Mo'onia Gerrard is a Tongan-Australian netball player. Gerrard is a current member of the Australian national team, and from 2011 is playing for the New South Wales Swifts in the ANZ Championship...
and promising youngster Kayla Cullen
Kayla Cullen
Kayla Cullen is a New Zealand netball player. As a high school student, Cullen played representative netball and basketball, and competed at a national level in athletics...
. But all three re-signed for their respective clubs.
Tall former Australian international Demelza McCloud was officially revealed as the Steel's import for 2012. New co-coach Janine Southby
Janine Southby
Janine Southby is a retired New Zealand netball player and current co-coach of the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship. Southby played for the Western Flyers in the National Bank Cup competition from 1997–2001, before transferring to her home team the Dunedin based Otago Rebels in 2002...
later announced that they were chasing former Silver Fern and Steel shooter Donna Wilkins
Donna Wilkins
Donna Wilkins is one of New Zealand's leading sportswomen, representing her country in both netball and basketball. She became married to Southland farmer Mike Wilkins on 17 March 2007...
, and on the 28th of September this was confirmed. The Steel were linked to Silver Fern squad member Charlotte Kight
Charlotte Kight
Charlotte Kight is a New Zealand netball player. Kight started in the National Bank Cup with the Western Flyers in 2005, under head coach Yvette McCausland-Durie. She played with the Flyers for two years, before moving to the Canterbury Flames for the final year of the competition in 2007...
who turned down a contract with the Canterbury Tactix for 2012, but later opted to move north and join the Mystics
Northern Mystics
The Northern Mystics are a New Zealand netball team based in Auckland that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup – the Northern Force and the Auckland Diamonds – after the competition was...
.
The Steel have sinced confirmed the signing of New Zealand under 21 squad defender Storm Purvis to round out their squad.
| 2012 Southern Steel Squad | |
| Jodi Brown Jodi Brown Jodi Brown is a New Zealand netball player. Brown was a member of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns from 2002–07, earning 28 caps... |
GA, GS |
| Shannon Francois Shannon Francois Shannon Francois is a New Zealand netball player, who is currently contracted to the Southern Steel in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. Francois, who is a midcourter has played for Otago in the National Provincial Championships since 2010... |
C, WA |
| Wendy Frew | C, WD |
| Demelza McCloud | GK, GD |
| Storm Purvis | GD, GK |
| Hayley Saunders Hayley Saunders Hayley Saunders is a New Zealand netball player and member of the Southern Steel team in the ANZ Championship... |
WD, C |
| Sheryl Scanlan Sheryl Scanlan Sheryl Scanlan is a New Zealand and Samoan international netball player. She played for the Northern Force in the National Bank Cup from 1998 until the conclusion in 2007, when the new ANZ Championship competition was announced, signing with the Northern Mystics for 2008. In 2009 though she has... |
GD, WD |
| Te Paea Selby-Rickit Te Paea Selby-Rickit Te Paea Selby-Rickit is a New Zealand netball player, who plays for the Southern Steel in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. Te Paea Selby-Rickit comes from a sporting family. Her two sisters both play netball, including Pulse defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit. Her father, Hud Saunders-Rickit, is... |
GS, GA |
| Ashleigh Smith | GS, GA |
| Courtney Tairi Courtney Tairi Courtney Tairi is an Australian netball player in the ANZ Championship, playing for the New South Wales Swifts.In 2009, despite Tairi not being in the New South Wales Swifts squad, Tairi was a temporary replacement player for Vanessa Ware who suffered an injury and played in one ANZ Championship... |
C, WA |
| Louise Thayer | GK, GD |
| Donna Wilkins Donna Wilkins Donna Wilkins is one of New Zealand's leading sportswomen, representing her country in both netball and basketball. She became married to Southland farmer Mike Wilkins on 17 March 2007... |
GA, GS |
Venues
The Southern Steel play the majority of their home matches at the Stadium SouthlandStadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
, in Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
. The multi-complex arena is home not only to the Southern Steel, but also the Southland Sharks
Southland Sharks
The Southland Sharks are a professional basketball team based in the Southland region in the New Zealand National Basketball League.The team plays their home games at Invercargill's Stadium Southland where 3,000 of the 4,500 seats are made available for regular season games.-Establishment:The...
basketball franchise, and formerly the Southern Sting
Southern Sting
The Southern Sting were a netball team based in Invercargill, New Zealand that competed in The National Bank Cup competition, formerly known as the Coca Cola Cup....
in the National Bank Cup
National Bank Cup
The National Bank Cup was the pre-eminent national netball competition in New Zealand between 1998 and 2007. From 2008, it was replaced by the ANZ Championship.-Format:...
netball league. The stadium was built in 2000, and has a capacity of 4200. The arena contains thirteen sports courts, a squash complex, business rooms, a high performance centre and a new $11 million dollar indoor velodrome
Invercargill ILT Velodrome
The Invercargill ILT Velodrome is the only indoor velodrome in New Zealand. The $11 million dollar velodrome is an indoor complex next to Stadium Southland, built on the western side of the stadium proper....
, New Zealand's only.
The Steel do normally play home games in Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
too as an alternate home game, and have played two fixtures each season at the Edgar Centre to date.
A freak snow storm in September, in which the roof fell in at the Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
means the team will play their four planned matches in Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
at the ILT Velodrome
Invercargill ILT Velodrome
The Invercargill ILT Velodrome is the only indoor velodrome in New Zealand. The $11 million dollar velodrome is an indoor complex next to Stadium Southland, built on the western side of the stadium proper....
, attached to Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
. A temporary facility will be set up for 2011 season. With reduced capacity, 4300 down to 2800, fans were required to line-up to book season tickets for the new ANZ Championship
ANZ Championship
The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand...
season.
The Steel's home is expected to be re-built and ready for the 2012 season. Locals were asked what changes could be made, and one was increased capacity from around 4400 up to 5000. The stadium boasted a large capacity when it was first built in 2000, but increased popularity for the Steel and fellow basketball franchise the Southland Sharks
Southland Sharks
The Southland Sharks are a professional basketball team based in the Southland region in the New Zealand National Basketball League.The team plays their home games at Invercargill's Stadium Southland where 3,000 of the 4,500 seats are made available for regular season games.-Establishment:The...
now means a larger seating number would be ideal for the future.