Press Release
(For immediate release)
December 21, 2010

Steel names co-captains for 2011

Experienced midcourt duo Wendy Frew and Liana Leota will share captaincy duties for the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel as it contests the 2011 ANZ Championship.

Coach Robyn Broughton said she admired the leadership qualities both players had developed during their extensive reigns representing the south in netball’s top echelon.

“They’ve developed really well in both the Sting and the Steel culture,” she said. “Their input is always positive and on and off the court they’ve been exemplary.”

“Wendy and Liana work together very well – as we all do – and I’m confident they’ve taken their responsibilities seriously already.”

The 2011 season will mark Frew’s 10th in the elite franchise ranks, while Leota (nee Barrett-Chase) first ventured south to join the Southern Sting in 2007.

Steel vice-captain for the past two years and a former Southland NPC team captain, Frew said assuming the leadership role was a “dream”.

“Being a proud Southlander, it’s always been a dream of mine to lead the team and I’m really looking forward to doing that with La – I think we will complement each other’s strengths really well,” the tenacious midcourter said.

“It’s a huge honour but there’s a lot of work that has to go in behind the scenes as well.

“La and I have formed a strong partnership on the court. Playing together in the Silver Ferns, New Zealand under-21, Sting and Steel teams has certainly been good to develop our combination and to now share the captaincy is fantastic.”

Leota echoed her sentiments. “We’ve been together as team-mates so long it’s really just taking another step up and guiding a team and that’s really exciting,” she said.

“It will be a cool job to have, especially with Wenz by my side. With double headers and a condensed season, it would be a huge role for just one person so we will be able to share the load.”

Leota admits her elevation to captain came as a surprise.

“I knew there would be some more responsibility this year but I wasn’t expecting this,” she said.

Both players have emerged from an intensive week of training and fitness sessions impressed with the 2011 Steel roster and its potential to chase the trans-Tasman silverware.

“It’s been wicked – all the girls have been training really hard and it’s been great to push each other and really gel as a team unit,” Frew said.

“I’ve seen huge strides in everyone,” Leota added.

ENDS

© Scoop Media