Talented Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel defender Taneisha Fifita is ready to leave her mark when the revised 2020 ANZ Premiership season resumes this weekend.

After being a Steel training partner for the past two years, Fifita comes into this season as a fully contracted player for the Reinga Bloxham coached side.

The 19-year-old played three games for the Steel in 2019 and is looking to continue her momentum after an impressive opening match of the 2020 season against Splice Construction Magic in March where she recorded a league high eight deflections.

A shooter through much of her school years at Waitaki Girls High, the 1.85m Fifita has flourished as a defender in recent years, playing a key role with the Southern Blast Beko Netball League side after being first selected as a 15-year-old.

It’s been an intense six months for Fifita, with her family relocating from Oamaru to Invercargill to support her as she took the leap forward as a fully contracted player.

“When I got the call up from Reinga to be a fulltime player I was so excited but also nervous at the same time. Just shocked and overwhelmed,” she said.

“My goals this season are to just keep playing my role, building on all my skills and keeping up my consistency.”

“It’s been great playing alongside Te Huinga Reo – she has so much experience so I follow what she does on court and that really helps me become a better player.”

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel are back in action against The Good Oil Tactix this Saturday 20 June at the Auckland Netball Centre, with live coverage on Sky Sport 3 from 5pm

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