Sport + Motorsport
Kimiora Poi will lead the Southern Steel in the 2026 ANZ Premiership season, stepping fully into the captaincy role after sharing the position last year.
The experienced midcourter, now 28, has built a reputation for strong work ethic and calm leadership under pressure. Those qualities helped earn her the trust of teammates and management as she takes charge of the southern franchise.
“It makes me feel old because I actually am the oldest in the team and the running joke at the moment is that I’m acting my age,” Poi quipped.
“On a serious note, it is an amazing opportunity to lead the girls and try and do whatever I can for the team to get the best of out of our team and ideally win a premiership.”
Leadership is not new territory for Poi, but she sees the role as another chance to develop and challenge herself. The captaincy requires her to connect not only with teammates but also with management, staff, and the wider netball community.
“It challenges me in a way to build relationships across the whole organisation. In the captaincy role you have to navigate relationships within the players and management side but also further afield like Netball South and the staff, along with the wider community,” she said.
“That actually really puts me out of my comfort zone at times and it’s one part that excites me to grow and learn in that area."
Shooter Georgia Heffernan will serve as vice captain for the 2026 campaign, while Aliyah Dunn joins the leadership group. Poi said the presence of strong personalities within the squad makes the role easier to carry.
“I feel like I don’t have to take on too much leadership in this group because we have natural leaders like Georgia and Aliyah who support and do their own bit as well.”
Steel head coach Wendy Frew said Poi’s dedication and professionalism made her the clear choice for captain.
“Kimi is a true professional in everything she does, both on and off the court. She is highly respected by the girls and the management team alike,” she said.
“She puts in an incredible amount of work and trains the house down. It’s a real honour to work with her and for her to be leading the 2026 steel team.”
Frew also praised Heffernan’s continued growth as a leader and the influence she brings to the squad.
Looking ahead, Poi said the team’s main aim remains bringing the premiership back to the south. However, she believes success will come from consistent performances and enjoying their netball each week.
“Obviously, the end goal is we want to bring that premiership back down south as it has been a few years since it has been here,” she said.
“But if you strip it back even further, it comes down to enjoying our netball and putting consistent performances out on court that we are proud of.”
Steel will get an early test this weekend at a preseason tournament in Otaki, where they will face the Stars, Magic, and Mystics.
“We’re looking forward to this hit out. It’s a pretty big weekend but it will be good for us,” Poi said.
“I feel like everything is just starting to click now at the right time.”