A Word from Wenz

Round 13 of the inaugural ANZ Premiership is here. Wow - where did the season go? It sounds cliché but it honestly has flown by at lightning speed.
 
It’s hard to find the words to sum up the events of the past week for us as a team. What I can say is how grateful we are for the hundreds of messages of support we have received from the deep south, throughout New Zealand and even abroad. The Steel love is strong and that’s truly humbling. And rest assured, Te Paea and I will be doing everything in our power to get back out there as soon as we can.
 
While none of us ever like to watch from the sideline, Wednesday night’s win over the Tactix is a moment in Steel’s history we will always remember. In the face of adversity, the team united against the odds and produced a thrilling win which spoke volumes about our culture and values.
 
I’m incredibly proud of the leadership shown by our Steel players Te Huinga, Gina, Jane, Abby, Jamie and Jen. Not only did they do their own job on the court, they ensured the transition into the elite ranks was as smooth as possible for Olivia Bates, Dani Gray, Sophie Erwood and Aliyah Dunn who stepped up admirably from the Netball South Beko team.
 
Our focus now turns to tonight’s game against the Pulse at our Steel fortress, ILT Stadium Southland. There’s some fantastic match-ups instore right across the court and we’re definitely hoping for a bumper crowd to boost us as we strive to finish the regular season unbeaten for the second year in a row.
 
Our midcourt maestro Gina will rack up her 50th game for the franchise and we’re aiming to celebrate the milestone the right way.
 
It’s also exciting to have tickets on sale for the Grand Final with our VIP members getting first dibs tomorrow before general sales kick off on Tuesday. They call it home town advantage for a reason and I have no doubt our Steel faithful will be out in force on June 28! Bring it on!
 
Finally, congrats to Noels, Erena and the entire Sunshine Coast Lightning team on securing the inaugural Suncorp Super League title in Australia on Saturday with a giant-killing (pun intended!) 17-goal victory over the Giants.
 
Cheers,
Wenz

Who Knew?!

The Steel has won both meetings between the two sides in 2017. When the sides last met in Round 9 in Porirua the Steel defeated the Pulse 80-44.

The Steel and Pulse met 18 times in the former Trans-Taman Netball League with the Steel winning 11 matches, the Pulse six and there was one draw.

The Steel is on a Club record 14 match winning run and are looking to navigate the minor round undefeated against the Pulse in Round 13.

The Pulse secured a place in the Elimination Final with their win over the Stars in Porirua on Wednesday, their first finals appearance in the Club’s 10-year history.

The Pulse’s nine wins this season is a Club record, bettering their eight wins in the 2013 Trans-Tasman Netball League, when they finished the season in 5th place also their previous highest season finish.

Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse

When: 7.30pm, Monday 19 June

Where: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill

Broadcast: SKY Sport 1 (NZ), Radio Sport, Facebook (outside NZ)
#STEvPUL| #ANZP
 
Umpires: Gareth Fowler, Kristie Simpson and Sasha McLeod (Reserve)

Thanks to our family of sponsors

• Allied Concrete • Creation Signs • McCallums Group • World Health and Fitness • Dianne Manson - Nationwide Images New Zealand • Strawberry Sound Hire • Roslyn Physiotherapy • Splash Palace - Invercargill • Unichem Waikiwi Pharmacy • NZHealth.delivery • Impress Clothing and Accessories • Fusion Fitness South • Road Safety Southland • LeppinSport • Lee’s Therapeutic Massage

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Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel - PO Box 6034, Invercargill North, Invercargill 9841 NEW ZEALAND Telephone + 64 3 219 9350