Shooter Summer Temu added to Steel roster
June 14, 2024
Talented young shooter Summer Temu has been recruited to the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel for the remainder of the ANZ Premiership season.
The 18-year-old has ventured south from her Auckland home as a replacement for Jennifer O’Connell, who has been ruled out of action with an ankle injury.
Initially seconded into the Steel ranks for last weekend’s game against the Stars, Temu showed her potential with an unfaltering performance under the goal post, slotting 11 from 11 during her 16 minutes on court.
It was all the evidence head coach Reinga Bloxham needed to lock in her services.
“It’s great to have Summer join us. She has a few ANZ Premiership games under her belt and I thought she did well against her old side when we played the Stars,” she said.
“We will work on building that connection and she offers us a different option at goal shoot. She seems very easy going and is happy to take the opportunity we have presented to her.”
Temu, who is apt at both shooting positions, has previously been hailed by netball pundits as having a bright future at the elite level of the sport.
A member of the New Zealand Under-21 squad, her height lends itself as a target shooter while her crafty netball smarts is an asset in the goal attack bib.
As injuries continue to thwart Steel’s momentum, recruitment has become an unexpected challenge for chief executive Sonya Fleming.
“Injuries go with the territory and are unfortunately one of the realities of professional sport but there’s no denying this has been a particularly tough season in that space right from the preseason phase,” she said.
“We have now had six replacement players and that does have an impact. I am incredibly proud of the team and how they have responded to each situation, embracing their new teammates and really showing the grit and determination you would expect.
“And the silver lining is the opportunity for so many of our emerging talents to step onto the court and continue their development and that bodes well for the future of our sport. They have each taken the chance to learn and grow in our environment.”
The Steel’s next assignment is a chance for redemption against the Avis Magic in Hamilton on Monday night after a nightmarish fourth quarter led to a nine-goal loss the last time the pair met.
However, with the Magic locked in a tight battle to make the cut for the league’s Finals Series, it won’t be an easy task.
The southerners then return home to their ILT Stadium Southland fortress for clashes with the Trident Homes Tactix on June 22 and Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse on July 1.
Tickets are available from ILT Stadium Southland or online at www.southernsteel.co.nz
