Latest news with #Stythe
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Mother's diagnosis spurs Stythe into advocacy
Carys Stythe signs autographs for Southern Steel fans in Invercargill last weekend. PHOTO: MICHAEL BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY Carys Stythe was in her happy place. It was her second fully contracted season with the Northern Mystics last year and the rangy defender was starting to stamp her mark and come into her own. There were plenty of highs from the season, as the Mystics went on to be crowned back-to-back ANZ Premiership champions and Stythe got the callup for the Silver Ferns development squad. Then, in the middle of the season, she got the news. Her mother Sara, who had just celebrated her 50th birthday, had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. It was an unimaginable new reality for the 21-year-old and her family. After having a sore stomach, her mother, who Stythe described as "very in tune" with her body, knew something was not right and went to see her doctor. But she had to fight for further testing to eventually get the diagnosis. "She had to push for herself to get a colonoscopy because they said 'you're too young to have anything in your bowel', which is terrible because lots of people are getting diagnosed young," Stythe said. "If someone sent Mum to go get a colonoscopy regularly, she would've been able to get it — but now she's got stage four cancer. "It's just the difference between A and B, I guess. "That's the one thing that we can urge people to do... Just test it." Stythe openly admits last year was really tough. "I don't even remember half of it. I was so upset the whole time. "Obviously I didn't show it on court because that was like my space away from what was going on at home." But her tight-knit family of father Gareth, older sister Imogen, 23 — who moved to London this week, which her mother encouraged — and younger sister Isla, 16, banded together to support one another. Her younger sister is autistic, and has relied heavily on their mother, so the family had the added pressure of helping her become more independent. Stythe is proud of how far she has come. Distance has never been a problem either, since Stythe landed in Invercargill with the Southern Steel this season. She made the trip to visit her loved ones when the Steel played in Hamilton earlier this season and their family chat was always ticking over with countless messages. "I literally talk to them on the phone every day. "We've still got that family connection and I'm only a flight away if she needs me. The Stythe family (from left) Isla, Imogen, Sara, Gareth and Carys. PHOTO: CARMEN BIRD "We're super close. I think that's what made it really hard as well." If there is anything Stythe wants people to take away, it is the importance of family. "Just soak up the time with your family. It's hard, but it does get easier." Looking to make the best of the situation, Stythe has continued to put one foot in front of the other. Her family gathered together to run the Auckland half marathon last year, all for a great cause, and raised $10,000 for Bowel Cancer New Zealand. It is a moment that still brings a smile to Stythe's face. Her work did not stop there. Stythe was an ambassador for the Move Your Butt campaign in February, designed to get people raising money by completing 100km to honour the 100 Kiwis who die of bowel cancer every month. The defender spent the month running, and walking, to help raise awareness for a cause that has become close to her heart. And it is not hard to see why she has become so passionate about it. "If regular colonoscopies were a thing from a young age, she wouldn't have stage four cancer right now. "She would've had it cured. It would've not even been a thing. "The fact she had to push to get one... she'll push for that, whereas I think other people wouldn't. "It just wouldn't have happened, so just really raising awareness for how young people can actually get it and[they're getting it] younger." More than 3300 New Zealanders are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, a statistic no-one should have to live with, she says. Stythe continues to share information through her social media, including the group who protested outside Parliament, calling for lowering the age of eligibility for free bowel screening tests to 45 last month. "I'm just trying to get it out there, I guess. "Anyone that can hear it and take something from it, I guess, is what I want." Stythe has settled in well to life in the deep South. Living in Invercargill with her partner Hikoi Paki, and being part of a fresh Steel side that clicked from the moment they met made for an easy transition. "I'm just really loving my time here. "All the girls we're really good friends and the coaches are great. "I just think because I'm enjoying my time so much here it's showing on court." Stythe in action for the Steel against the Pulse in their ANZ Premiership game in Invercargill. PHOTO: MICHAEL BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY That is for certain. Stythe has been outstanding and leads the ANZ Premiership for rebounds (11), and deflections (22) and is fourth-equal for intercepts (seven). Stythe, who was the New Zealand secondary school player of the year in 2021, put it down to the Steel's environment, and more game time at goal keep allowing her to focus on her job. Learning from Steel coach Wendy Frew, and her family-first mentality, also allowed Stythe to settle in her role. "She's all about the person first and I think obviously with Mum, she's been really awesome about that," Stythe said. Adding in the two-point shot had added another layer to the game, and while most of the discussions have been related around the shooters, many forget there are defenders trying to stop it. Stythe says it turned the circle backwards — instead of trying to push shooters out of the circle, defenders wanted them closer to the post during the two-point time — and the rules made it hard to get around their opponents. But Stythe sees potential in the innovation. "It makes it fun. I know the fans love it so much. "I love it so much as well. When I'm down the other side and we get a two in, it just lifts the whole team." The Steel were hammered 70-45 by the Central Pulse last week. But it was a bad result in an otherwise positive start to the season and they get another shot when they host the Mainland Tactix this afternoon. The Steel lost 57-50 to the Tactix in the opening game, but the Tactix only really ran away in the final quarter. "We just need to bring it from the first whistle. "We could take away lots of good things from our first game against them, kind of keep doing that but see what we could do better so we can take the win." It will be a memorable game for many reasons. The Hutton Family Trophy will be on the line again, in honour of Kelly Hutton, who died of ovarian cancer, and her sister, Megan, who played for the Steel. In a nice touch, the Steel will also be doing their bit raising money for the Southern Cancer Society. And when Stythe runs out on to the court, there will be some lucky people in the stands watching on — her family, including her mother, who have made the trip to Invercargill to watch her play. "They're my biggest fans so I'm really excited to see them." ANZ Premiership 4pm, Invercargill Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Summer Temu, Serina Daunakamakama, Kimiora Poi, Renee Savai'inaea, Carys Stythe, Abby Lawson, Khayne'-Lii Munro-Nonoa. Mainland Tactix: Ellie Bird, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Martina Salmon, Erikana Pederson, Holly Mather, Parris Petera, Paris Lokotui, Karin Burger, Jane Watson, Charli Fidler.
Otago Daily Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Dunn outstanding in dominant Steel win
Aliyah Dunn put on a masterclass under the post to put the rest of the ANZ Premiership on watch. The Southern Steel shooter slotted 52 from 54 attempts, including a two-pointer, to help them thump the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 69-41 in Hamilton last night. It was a dominant performance across the court as they recorded their biggest win against the Magic and their first since 2022 to move to third on the points table. And it was without Silver Fern Kate Heffernan, who is sidelined with a knee injury, and defenders Abby Lawson and Dakota Thomas, who were already ruled out with niggles. Dunn was simply outstanding under the post, constantly finding space and readjusting to get front position. Defender Carys Stythe was at her very best with a massive 13 gains and seven rebounds. The Magic were poor by their standards and hurt themselves with 27 turnovers. Khayne'-Lii Munro-Nonoa, who started at goal defence with Lawson out, and Stythe's connection in the circle was seamless for hardly having spent time together. Munro-Nonoa had a big job against Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, but she snaffled a great intercept. The Steel sat in a box defensively, which allowed Stythe to get a hand to a cross-court ball, and the Steel punished at the other end to lead 11-6. Errors were costly for the home side. Their timing through the court was out and they struggled to find any punch on second phase through their attack end. The Steel's quick transition through court caught the Magic, and Dunn dominated under the post. She set herself up ball-side, and gave herself room on the base to keep Erena Mikaere's reach out of play. The Steel led by as many as nine, but Saviour Tui and Ekenasio sank two-pointers to close the gap to 19-13 at the break. Stythe picked the pocket for an early second-quarter gain and the Steel had release options throughout the court to reward her. The Magic looked disjointed, had no flow through the court, and put each other under unnecessary pressure. That also came down to the lift in intensity from the Steel's through-court defence to shut down the Magic. Kimiora Poi, who was the engine room all night, changed her timing on the feed to keep the Magic defenders guessing. Her front cuts gave her all the space to hit the circle edge, and Serina Daunakamakama played a brilliant supporting role. The young wing attack let the ball do the work and just made good decisions on her release. Poi picked up the crumbs through the court and suddenly the Steel led by 11 midway through the second. Georgia Heffernan's drive into the circle was brilliant, gliding through court, and she hardly had a defender near. And that hurt the Magic. They let the Steel get a roll and then dropped back in their structures trying to shut down Dunn but forgot about the Steel's other threats. The Steel led 30-17 when Georgia Tong used her feet to come around the body and pick up a much-needed gain for the Magic. The Magic banked three two-pointers, but Dunn replied with her own to lead 35-23 at halftime. The Steel came out of the break firing, forcing the Magic into a raft of mistakes. The visitors did the work off the ball to open the channels through the court and Heffernan and Dunn continued to dominate. You cannot underestimate the work of Renee Savai'inaea either. The wing defence set up everything for those behind her and made life hard for Ali Wilshier. Tui finished with a two-pointer on the buzzer to trail 50-34 at the break. ANZ Premiership The scores Southern Steel 69 Aliyah Dunn 53 (52/54), Georgia Heffernan 15 (13/21), Summer Temu 1 (1/1). Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 41 Saviour Tui 19 (15/24), Ameliaranne Ekenasio 18 (14/19), Kate Taylor 4 (4/4). Quarter scores: Southern Steel 19-13, 35-23, 50-34.
Otago Daily Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Dominant Steel post big win over Magic
Aliyah Dunn put on a masterclass under the post to put the rest of the ANZ Premiership on watch. The Southern Steel shooter slotted 52 from 54 attempts – including a two-pointer – to help them thump the Magic 69-41 in Hamilton tonight. It was a dominant performance across the court for the Southerners, who recorded their biggest win against the Magic and their first since 2022. And do not forget it was without Silver Fern Kate Heffernan, who is sidelined with a knee injury, and defenders Abby Lawson and Dakota Thomas, who were already ruled out with niggles. Dunn was simply outstanding under the post, constantly finding the space and readjusting to get front position. Defender Carys Stythe was at her very best again, picking up a massive 13 gains and seven rebounds. The Magic were poor by their standards and hurt themselves with 27 turnovers. Khayne'-Lii Munro-Nonoa – who started at goal defence with Lawson out – and Stythe's connection in the circle was seamless for hardly having spent time together. Munro-Nonoa had a big job against Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, but she snaffled a great intercept. The Steel sat in a box defensively, which allowed Stythe to get a hand to a cross-court ball, and the Steel punished at the other end to lead 11-6. Errors were costly for the home side. Their timing through the court was out and they struggled to find any punch on second phase through their attack end. The Steel's quick transition through court caught the Magic on their back, and Dunn dominated under the post. She set herself up ball side, and gave herself room on the base to keep Erena Mikaere's reach out of play. The Steel led by as much as nine, but Saviour Tui and Ekenasio sunk two-pointers to close the gap to 19-13 at the break. Stythe picked the pocket for an early second quarter gain and the Steel had release options throughout the court to reward her. The Magic looked disjointed, had no flow through the court, and put each other under unnecessary pressure. That also came down to the lift in intensity from the Steel's through court defence to shut down the Magic. Kimiora Poi – who was the engine room all night — changed her timing on the feed to keep the Magic defenders guessing. Her front cuts gave her all the space to hit the circle edge, and Serina Daunakamakama played a brilliant supporting role. The young wing attack let the ball do the work and just made good decisions on her release. Poi picked up the crumbs through the court and suddenly the Steel led by 11 midway through the second. Georgia Heffernan's drive into the circle was brilliant, gliding through court and hardly had a defender near. And that hurt the Magic. They let the Steel get a roll and then dropped back in their structures trying to shut down Dunn, but forgot about the Steel's other threats. The Steel led 30-17 when Georgia Tong used her feet to come around the body and pick up a much-needed gain for the Magic. The Magic banked three two-pointers, but Dunn replied with her own to lead 35-23 at halftime. The Steel came out of the break firing, forcing the Magic into a raft of mistakes The visitors did the work off the ball to open the channels through the court and Heffernan and Dunn continued to dominate. They extended to deserved 18 point lead, which forced the Magic to call a time-out. The Steel just continued to lift another level and there were glimmers of brilliance across the court. Daunakamakama used her fakes to move the Magic defenders and Poi just let the ball go. You cannot under estimate the work of Renee Savai'inaea for the Steel either. The wing defence – who finished the game with just the three penalties – set up every thing for those behind her, and made life hard for Ali Wilshier to let the ball go. Tui finished with a two-pointer on the buzzer to trail 50-34 at the break. The Steel will come up against the Northern Mystics in Dunedin on Monday.
