Elements of deja vu for coach Frew
Wendy Frew has been here before - but never quite like this.
The southern netball stalwart played 176 games for the Southern Sting and the Southern Steel in front of roaring crowds at the home of netball.
That is countless preseason trainings, drills, warm-ups, season openers, centre passes and everything in between.
But now Frew is experiencing it all again for the first time as head coach of her beloved franchise.
Her era starts tomorrow when they face the Mainland Tactix in Christchurch as the opening round of the ANZ Premiership finally gets under way.
After a gruelling 10 week preseason, everyone - including their coach - cannot wait to see what the Steel can produce.
''I'm really excited to get on board with the girls,'' Frew said.
''For me, as the coach, I'm really proud of the efforts and just looking forward now to putting it out on the court and seeing what we can produce on Sunday.''
Frew, who captained the Steel to back-to-back premierships in 2017 and 2018, acknowledged preseason never goes the way you expect, with players carrying injury niggles.
But she felt she got everything out of their preseason hit outs - in Otaki, Christchurch and against Southland Men - she wanted and it tested her players.
''We've wanted to see how our structures go, how players start, how players come on.
''Just how they can roll in different situations and see who's stepping up and who makes that impact when we need them to.
''For us it's been good to see players in those situations and now we're looking forward to getting them out there.''
Frew, who is joined by former team-mate Liana Leota as assistant coach, has recruited what appears to be a good blend during the off season.
Kate and Georgia Heffernan, Abby Lawson, Renee Savai'inaea, Summer Temu and Serina Daunakamakama - the latter two were replacements in 2024 - have all returned.
They have been joined by Silver Fern midcourter Kimiora Poi and accurate shooter Aliyah Dunn, both from the Tactix, Mystics defender Carys Stythe and Australian defender Dakota Thomas.
Frew said the team, who will be lead by co-captains Kate Heffernan and Poi, had gelled through preseason.
''They're pretty tight,'' she said.
''They get on well. They challenge each other at trainings, which is brilliant moving forward in terms of what we want to achieve.''
That early connection was something Frew highlighted as a strength this year.
''We're all a team unit. There's no-one who's bigger than the team and I think that's been really dominant in preseason.
''We're all working together for the same goals. We're just a team that does the grind, does that hard work, isn't afraid to get in there and get stuck in ... and then get out and celebrate.''
The Tactix finished third last season and will be a big test first up.
But Frew was looking forward to coming up against former team-mate Donna Wilkins, who is now the Tactix coach.
''Dons is a good mate of mine. On the court ... it'll be game faces and we'll be into it. But at the end of the game we'll give each other a big hug and ask about each other's families. Dons has been doing a great job in the Tactix ... they're going to be tough for us.''
Thomas is still carrying an injury and has been ruled out of the opening game.
Steel training partner Holly McRae, who came through the Columba College pathway, will get the call-up.
kayla.hodge@odt.co.nz ANZ Premiership
Saturday, 7pm, Christchurch
Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Summer Temu, Serina Daunakamakama, Kimiora Poi, Kate Heffernan, Renee Savai'inaea, Carys Stythe, Abby Lawson, Holly McRae.
Mainland Tactix: Ellie Bird, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Martina Salmon, Erikana Pederson, Holly Mather, Parris Petera, Paris Lokotui, Karin Burger, Jane Watson, Charli Fidler. THE BIG QUESTIONS
DOUBLE THE POINTS
How will the two-point shot look for the Steel? There are many ways to attack the new rules, but every team will be different. All Steel shooters have the ability from that range, but the question will lie around the right time to pull the trigger. At the other end, how do they defend their opposition during that period? No doubt there will be teething areas in the opening round.
ALL HANDS ON DECK
The Steel have recruited well. Defender Carys Stythe is on the rise and knows what it takes to win after back-to-back titles with the Mystics, as does shooter Aliyah Dunn from her time with the Pulse. Silver Fern Kimiora Poi adds much needed depth to the midcourt. Australian defender Dakota Thomas also adds something new. But the question is around how quickly they can blend together.
NO TIME LIKE NOW
With the ANZ Premiership reduced to just the 10 round-robin games this year, the pressure is one from game one. There is no time to slack off and you have to hit the ground running. All points - including bonus ones - will be crucial to making the top-three playoff spots. The draw
Southern Steel
v Mainland Tactix, Christchurch, May 11
v Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, Hamilton, May 19
v Northern Mystics, Dunedin, May 26
v Central Pulse, Invercargill, June 1
v Mainland Tactix, Invercargill, June 7
v Northern Stars, Auckland, June 14
v Central Pulse, Wellington, June 23
v Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, Invercargill, June 28
v Northern Mystics, Auckland, July 6
v Northern Stars, Invercargill, July 14
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
4 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Chances of NZ win pretty good: triallist
East Otago triallist Lloyd Smith and his heading dog Code are in a team out to beat their Australian rivals and bring home the Wayleggo Cup. Smith talks to Shawn McAvinue about their surprise selection and his successes during more than 40 years at the top level of the sport. A wooden sign covered in moss on a fence on the sheep and beef farm of Lloyd Smith in Palmerston reads "dog training paddock". The time spent in that paddock continues to pay off for the veteran triallist. Smith and his heading dog Code have been selected for the New Zealand team to contest the Wayleggo Cup in a transtasman test series over two days at the Ashburton A&P Show from October 31. Australia holds the cup after winning in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, last year and Smith said the Kiwis would "endeavour to get it back". In Australia, the home team has the upper hand because they use merino sheep which had limited contact with people, and New Zealand dogs were new to the wild nature of the Aussie flock. In New Zealand, crossbred sheep were used, bringing its own home advantage. "It is a bit like preparing a cricket wicket, you prepare it for the home team," he said. The other New Zealand team members are captain Mark Copland and his dog Guy, of Methven Collie Club in Canterbury Centre, Leo Jecentho and Jake, of Karioi Sheep Dog Trial Club in Waikato Centre and Ben Millar and King, of Glenroy in Canterbury Centre. The reserve is Brian Dickison and dog Dan, of Greenvale Dog Trial Club in Southland Centre. "It is a pretty strong team. I like to think we have a pretty good chance," Smith said. Smith and Code competed in the short head and yard at the South Island and New Zealand Championships at Lochiel Station in Hanmer Springs recently and placing fifth in the South Island champs, drawing seventh and final place in the run-off at nationals. The duo finished sixth in the national championships. Code had a good run to the pen but did not yard the Romney flock. Code did not place in the top three at nationals, Smith was surprised to have been selected for the New Zealand team. He and Code also competed in the national run-off last year. The consistent performance of the 5-year-old dog might have helped them get selected for the national team, he said. Code was the progeny of Smith's bitch Samantha and a dog Crest, owned by his son-in-law Scott Hunter in Omarama. Smith's farm near Palmerston was once twice the size. He and his late wife Linda sold half of it so they could semi-retire and continue farming, rather than sell up and move to town. "I keep some dogs on and can carry on doing what I enjoy doing." He now runs about 250 ewes and about 45 beef cattle. His wife — who he described as his biggest supporter — died in February this year after battling cancer. The couple's 50th wedding anniversary was the same month she died. Smith has been dog-trialling for more than 40 years. His first year competing was with huntaway Oak in Lowburn in 1982. The pair won a national championship in 1983. "He was an exceptional dog." He won four New Zealand hunt titles before he won a heading title. As you age, a heading dog suits you better, he said. "I don't have the work for the young huntaways anyway." Since starting in the sport, he had placed 69 times in island and national championships, competing with 24 dogs. "I have been there or there or thereabouts for the last 40-odd years." Some of the scores of trophies he won were on display in his house, some were in cabinets, some were used as door stops. The rest were stored in a shipping container outside. The prizes include five green ties for winning national championships. He had also won six island championships. Smith has represented New Zealand before. He and his dog Ace won the New Zealand champs in Gore in 2010 and got selected for the New Zealand team. Being able to represent your country was a "great thrill". "When you are standing out there and the national anthem is being played, it makes you feel pretty proud." Ace had the same mother as Code. Smith then made the national team again in Wānaka with heading dog Risk about two years later. Risk broke her leg before she was able to compete. He had been reserve for the transtasman test twice including Ashburton in 2023 but was never called on to compete. The Wayleggo Cup competition course was split in four sections. Two sections were run under New Zealand rules and two sections were run under Australian rules. "You have to be mindful if you are in a New Zealand section or an Australian section." Under New Zealand rules, triallists were more free to move their body in a way to coax a flock in a direction. Australian rules meant a triallist had to stand still during a certain part of the course. "Their rules take a bit of adjusting to. Here you are allowed to move your arms and help the dog but over there it is not allowed so you've virtually got to put your hands in your pockets." Smith is the president of the Waihemo Collie Club in the North Otago Centre, a position he had held before. "We are limited member-wise so they are getting into recycling us oldies now. It is a good wee club." His late wife was a life member of the club and her involvement included running the cookshop. Winter was a good time to train working dogs, as there was less farm work to do than usual. Training a pup and taking it to the top level of the sport was the "ultimate", he said. "A pups isn't born with bad habits. The reason they end up with them is people let them develop." Wayleggo Cup What: Annual transtasman sheep dog trial test series. Test series: 37. New Zealand won: 22. Australia won: 15. Where: Alternates between the two countries. This year: Ashburton from October 31. Current cup holder: Australia. First competition: Brisbane in 1985.
NZ Herald
12 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Asfoora set for Royal Ascot with blinkers in King Charles III Stakes
Trainer Henry Dwyer is considering applying blinkers to Asfoora for the Australian mare's defence of the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot next week. Asfoora turned in a pleasing gallop in blinkers on the July Course at Newmarket on Monday as Dwyer prepares her for her first assignment of
Scoop
13 hours ago
- Scoop
Malesala And Simpson Extend Their Time With Pulse
Shooter Amorangi Malesala and Australian midcourter Gabi Simpson will remain with Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse for the rest of the ANZ Premiership netball league. With Malesala drafted in as a temporary replacement for Khiarna Williams, who is still rehabbing a shoulder injury, and Simpson adding cover for Maddy Gordon and Whitney Souness, the Pulse have opted to retain the 12 players allowed per squad. ``After injury-restricted build-ups Maddy and Whitney have only recently returned to playing at this level and more recently playing full minutes, so there's still uncertainty there,'' Netball Central Director of High Performance Waimarama Taumaunu said. ``And, it's a very short season, so if anything should go amiss, we have the cover rather than facing a last-minute search. ``Amorangi and Gabi are seasoned players, they're very professional in everything they do, very positive team members and have added enormous value.'' Starting her season as a training partner with the Magic, talented shooter Malesala, is now living the dream while re-launching her elite level career. ``I'm super blessed to be able to stay here permanently for the rest of the season,'' she said. ``I guess that was not really part of the plan and it was a matter of just taking each week as it came but to be able to be here and for Anna (Andrews-Tasola, coach) to have the belief in me to be here and to be a part of the Pulse, I'm super grateful. ``I've loved every minute of it. It was definitely an eye-opener coming in because from the outside looking in, the Pulse are a tight-knit team so being able to be here and to experience that week-in week-out has been awesome for me. ``In order to grow my game and coming to a new environment, a clean slate gives me that ability to learn more about myself and to also immerse myself in this high intensity environment and it's been pretty good so far.'' Former Australian Diamond and Queensland Firebirds centurion, Simpson has put her physiotherapist clients and fledgling Australian Rules football career in Brisbane on hold to extend her stay in Wellington. ``I definitely didn't expect to be here for the whole season but I've felt so welcomed and it's such an enjoyable place to play netball,'' she said ``Now I just really want to contribute to this group to see how good we can be, and I'm really excited to be able to be here for a little bit longer. ``I think the newness about it all has been super refreshing and for me as well, being able to play without much expectation and not a huge amount of ambition other than to make this group great is a really refreshing and freeing way to play. ``They're a great bunch of girls and a great bunch of coaches. They've really taken me in and taught me a lot about the New Zealand way and their style of playing netball. And I really love the depth of culture in this team, it's a special thing to be a part of.'' After traversing the length of the country, Simpson had to wait until halfway through the season before playing her first game in Wellington at the Pulse's spiritual home of TSB Arena. While that resulted in a disappointing loss to the Mystics, the passionate crowd left a lasting impression. ``Walking out in front of that crowd was unreal…..it's loud, it's yellow, there's so much energy that you can feel it, so it's really special to walk out in front of something like that and I guess create a new home,'' she said.
