Led by an experienced commander in Kate Heffernan, a returning trio finalises the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel midcourt for 2025.
Formidable Silver Fern Heffernan, the tenacious Renee Savai’inaea and young gun Serina Daunakamakama join recently-signed powerhouse Kimiora Poi to form an intimidating midcourt proposition for opposition teams to contain.
Heffernan, who captained the Steel this season, was eagerly anticipating her eighth campaign with the southern team.
“I’m super excited to be back with the Steel for another season. The franchise and team means a lot to me and I love representing home,” she said.
“I think we are going to have a really exciting and strong group which I can’t wait to be a part of.” Savai’inaea was keen to embark on her fifth season in the south.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities this franchise has given me. I’m excited for what’s to lie ahead next year with some new players and familiar faces,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to working with Wendy (Frew) and seeing the changes she brings. I think it’s going to be an exciting season.”
For Daunakamakama, it’s a deserved promotion to her first full ANZ Premiership contract.
“I am really grateful for the opportunity to represent the pink the blue again. I’m really excited for my first full season and seeing my new teammates,” she said.
“I still have a lot to learn so I am very fortunate to be surrounded by some very experienced players. I really enjoyed my time in the south – the players and the fans were very welcoming and made it easy for me to fit in so the decision to return was not a hard one.”
Newly-appointed Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel head coach Wendy Frew said the returning players would add an important element of consistency.
“I’m really looking forward to coaching Kate. She brings that x-factor to the midcourt and her ability to read the game defensively is outstanding,” Frew said.
“Renee had a standout 2024 season with her game improving every season. She’s a talented wing defence who strives for the best,
“Serina is an up-and-coming player of immense talent. With a full pre-season with us she will continue to thrive in our environment. She has a lot of experienced players around her which can only take her netball to an even higher level.”
Poi was equally excited by the potential combinations she would link with.
“I think all three players are exciting players. With the four of us, I’d say we’d be able to provide a bit of power and sharpness,” she said.
“Kate and I would be the ‘experience’ if you call it, Renee has been around a few years now and is your dogged WD who gets ball and Serina has so much untapped potential. So, I’m excited to see what we all can do to help add to each other’s games.”