Latest news with #KateHeffernan
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Heffernan confirms move to Australia
Thunderbirds are go; Southern Steel co-captain Kate Heffernan is spreading her wings after signing with the Adelaide Thunderbirds for the 2026 season. The midcourter is the latest Silver Fern to be granted an exemption by Netball New Zealand to play in Australia's Super Netball next season. The 25-year-old is the Thunderbirds' final signing for 2026, making them the second team to finalise their roster after the Melbourne Vixens. 'I'm incredibly proud to play all of my ANZ Premiership games for my home team and this decision to take my netball in a new direction has not been made lightly," Heffernan said. "It will be so tough to leave my Steel family and I am grateful for everything the franchise has done for me. 'On the other hand, I am excited to see what the future holds in a new environment with the Thunderbirds. "The opportunity to experience the intensity of a new competition and different opponents can only enhance my netball even further and I'm ready to embrace the challenges ahead.' Heffernan will be out the front of the league's most formidable defensive circle in Jamaican internationals Latanya Wilson, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey — who is currently expecting her first child but is confirmed for 2026 — and Australian Diamond Matilda Garrett. Earlier this week, the Thunderbirds signed South African shooter Elmere van der Berg, and are also home to Diamonds attacker Georgie Horjus. The Thunderbirds, coached by incumbent Tania Obst, were back-to-back champions in 2023 and 2024 and finished third in the regular season this year. Heffernan has been an integral part of the Steel, playing 101 games since her debut in 2018. Originally stepping up as an injury replacement, Heffernan soon cemented herself as the starting wing defence, later shifting to centre. She stepped up as captain last season and has been co-captain alongside Silver Fern Kimiora Poi in 2025, where the Steel finished fourth. She debuted for the Silver Ferns in 2022 and has earned 39 caps, including playing at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Netball World Cup in South Africa. Heffernan is the fourth Silver Fern confirmed to play in Australia next year. Midcourter Maddy Gordon has signed with the Queensland Firebirds and goal keep Kelly Jackson signed with the Brisbane team earlier in the week. Shooter Grace Nweke had re-signed with the NSW Swifts for 2026, after being named the team's MVP in her inaugural Super Netball season this year.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Heffernan joins star Silver Fern exodus to Australian clubs
Kate Heffernan in action for the Silver Ferns against Australia. Photo: photosport Star Silver Fern Kate Heffernan says her decision to play in Australia's Super Netball League will be a wrench. The midcourt juggernaut and Southern Steel stalwart became the third New Zealand international in the space of three days to announce she will take her domestic game across the Taman next year. Heffernan will align with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, while Pulse team-mates Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon both announced they will play for the Queensland Thunderbirds. The trio were key figures when the Silver Ferns crushed Australia 3-1 last year to reclaim the Constellation Cup, along with shooter Grace Nweke, who played this year for the Sydney Swifts. Netball New Zealand last month updated its eligibility policy, allow more flexibility for Silver Ferns players wanting to play overseas. Heffernan, who was this week named in the Silver Ferns squad, has been granted an exemption to play in Australia by Netball NZ. Kate Heffernan of the Steel and Georgie Edgecombe of the Magic. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Photosport The 25-year-old said it will be a painful experience not lining up for the Steel, who she has represented in 101 games since a debut in 2018. "I'm incredibly proud to play all of my ANZ Premiership games for my home team and this decision to take my netball in a new direction has not been made lightly. It will be so tough to leave my Steel family and I am grateful for everything the franchise has done for me," she said. "On the other hand, I am excited to see what the future holds in a new environment with the Thunderbirds. The opportunity to experience the intensity of a new competition and different opponents can only enhance my netball even further and I'm ready to embrace the challenges ahead." Steel head coach Wendy Frew said she wasn't surprised Heffernan had attracted the attention of Australian clubs. "I have had the privilege of both playing alongside and coaching Kate during her time with the Steel and she is such a standout player. She brings real leadership and experience, along with her defensive flair, and her signature is a real coup for any team," she said. "It has been so exciting to see how she's grown throughout her career and, as much as she is a massive loss for us as a team, I am proud to see her embark on this new chapter." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel co-captain signs to play in Australia
Kate Heffernan in action for the Steel against the Magic in Invercargill earlier this year. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography Southern Steel co-captain Kate Heffernan is spreading her wings after signing with the Adelaide Thunderbirds for the 2026 season. The midcourter is the latest Silver Fern to be granted an exemption by Netball New Zealand to play in Australia's Super Netball next season. The 25-year-old will join a stacked Thunderbirds team — who were champions in 2023 and 2024 — which includes Jamaican internationals Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling. Heffernan has been an integral part of the Steel over the past eight seasons, playing 101 ANZ Premiership games — all for the Steel — since her debut in 2018. Heffernan received her international call-up in 2022 and has since earned 39 caps, including playing at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Netball World Cup in South Africa. Since the changes to NNZ eligibility criteria, Heffernan is the fourth Silver Fern confirmed to play in Australia next year. Midcourter Maddy Gordon has signed with the Queensland Firebirds and goal keep Kelly Jackson also signed with the Brisbane team earlier in the week. Shooter Grace Nweke had re-signed with the NSW Swifts for 2026, after being named the team's MVP in her inaugural Super Netball season this year.
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Late Super Shots Help Mystics Squeeze Past Steel
Two vital super shots helped the Northern Mystics grab a tense 56-52 win in a momentum-swinging spectacle against a gallant Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in front of a sold-out crowd in Auckland on Sunday. Both teams had everything to play for, with the Mystics chasing the hosting rights for the Grand Final and the Steel chasing a spot in the Series Finals, the tense atmosphere sitting heavily throughout. Both coaches called tactical timeouts during the final five minutes after the Steel, showing all their renowned spirit and grit, turned a three-goal three-quarter time deficit into a one-goal lead with just over five minutes to play. The Mystics timeout worked in their favour, with their efforts to limit penalties and retain the ball paying dividends, while super shot specialist Filda Vui stepped up in the heat of the moment to calmly nail two double-pointers. With time running out, the Steel lost any opportunity with panicky play as they desperately sought a miracle change in fortunes but deservedly came away with a bonus point. With their season hanging, the Steel also had milestone celebrations to add to the mix with midcourter Kate Heffernan lining up for 100th national league match and Carys Stythe her 50th. Umpire Cory Nicholls added to the game's special moments when taking charge of his 50th ANZ Premiership match. In an exciting opening, the lead changed hands several times, both teams taking time to settle into the match where defence played a big part. The Mystics all-smothering unit defence proved effective while the Steel employed a zone defence which was as equally valuable. Respective rising young goalkeepers Catherine Hall, for the home side, and Stythe picked off the spoils as both sides traded turnovers. A late rally, iced by a super shot with five seconds remaining gave the Mystics a 16-12 buffer at the first break. The second stanza followed a similar trend, the Steel getting off to the best of starts before being reeled in by the home side. The visitors did a terrific job of shutting down the Mystics attacking options to force the hosts into error while eating into the deficit early in the piece. On the other hand, the Steel showed resolute patience on attack with Georgia Heffernan and Dunn all composure under the hoop before momentum swung the other way. With the Steel momentarily hitting the lead, the introduction of Katie Te Ao at centre for the Mystics and the defensive work of Hall, Holly Rae and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson helped turn the tide. Te Ao and Peta Toeava found their connections with strike shooter Donnell Wallam in building an impressive attacking unit while continued pressure at the other end put the squeeze on the Steel. Enjoying more possession, the Mystics finished with a strong surge to build a 30-24 lead at the main break. With both sides taking great care of their possession, the pair traded goals through the opening five minutes of the third stanza. Wallam, who at times was unstoppable and finishing with the striking figures of 45 from 49, remained the steadying rock under the Mystics hoop but the Steel were far from done in delivering a threatening response. Showing creativity on attack and defensive ability to create turnover opportunities, momentum once again took another swing. With a big lift in energy after denying the Mystics in the attacking third and picking off valuable ball, through Kimiora Poi, Renee Savai'inaea, Abby Lawson and Stythe, the southerners cut into the deficit. The ice-cool Dunn, who delivered an impressive 38 from 38 return from the match, played the perfect role in the Steel circle with her poise, positioning and pin-point accuracy as the Steel went on to win the quarter 16-13. That left the match delicately-poised and up for grabs when the Mystics led 43-40 at the last turn.
Scoop
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Midcourt Kate Heffernan Poised For Milestone In 'Must-Win' Game Against Mystics
Silver Ferns midcourter Kate Heffernan will become just third player to bring up a century of games for Southern Steel, when she takes the court against ANZ Premiership leaders Northern Mystics in Auckland on Sunday. Heffernan joins fellow midcourters Wendy Frew and Shannon Saunders in bringing up the milestone. "To be on the list with them is really cool," she said. "Both are players I have looked up to from when I first started until now, so that is really special. "It means a lot doing it just for the Steel and home. One-hundred games anywhere is amazing, but being able to do it for just one franchise means so much to me is pretty cool." Heffernan, 25, made her debut for the Steel as an 18 year old. "I look back at the first couple of team posters and I'm just a baby." However, she won't let the milestone match divert her attention from the side's bid to make the top-three playoffs. The Steel are currently fourth on the competition ladder, equal with the third-placed Central Pulse on competition points and separated only by goal difference. The Steel went down to the Mystics by just one goal in their last encounter. "It's a must-win scenario for us, so I need to focus on getting that win against the team that's sitting top of the table," Heffernan said. "We're coming off a bit of momentum the last few rounds and I feel like we're in a good place. We're growing in confidence each week in our attacking game and honestly feeling really good about it. "We've had to win our last few games to be in contention for the top three. We need to approach this the same way, but continue to lift like we've been doing."
