Exciting new role for Wendy Frew - February 9, 2012

She’s ticked off nearly every achievement netball has to offer, now Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel midcourter Wendy Frew has an exciting new role to look forward to – motherhood.

The former Silver Fern and her husband Trent are expecting their first child in August.

“We are thrilled with the news and so excited to be embarking on this journey together,” Frew said.

Now three months into her pregnancy, Frew will withdraw from the Southern Steel for the 2012 ANZ Championship season.

“It will be extremely hard for me to watch from the sidelines but, as much as netball and the Steel are a big part of my life, some things are even more important. Family has always been the number one priority for me and now starting our own is an incredible blessing,” she said.

“I am determined to help the team any way I can during the season and it goes without saying I will be one of their biggest fans on the sideline.”

Steel chief executive David Bannister said the franchise was delighted for Frew.

“This is such a wonderful time in their lives and we are certainly celebrating this moment with them. The Steel has always been a family-orientated organisation with a focus on enabling our players to lead fulfilling lives off the court as well and it doesn’t come any more rewarding than parenthood,” he said.

“There is no denying Wendy is an integral part of our franchise and she will remain exactly that. Her contribution, while not actually on the court this season, will continue to be extremely valuable in both a mentoring and ambassador capacity.”

Co-coach Natalie Avellino said Frew had already made an impact during preseason preparation.

“She’s really shown her leadership skills and her on-court experience and maturity. She’s just a stalwart of Southland netball and it does leave a huge hole for us to fill,” she said.

“Wendy has always been the ultimate team player and I know she has struggled with feelings of letting the team down. But this is such a special time for her and Trent and we are truly happy for them.”

Avellino and co-coach Janine Southby have already started evaluating potential replacements.

“Obviously there is not a lot of depth within the midcourt in New Zealand netball so that presents a definite challenge. We are investigating all our options and what avenues might be available to us,” she said.

The Southern Steel will formally apply for a replacement player for this season, which starts against the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in Invercargill on April 2. Under ANZ Championship competition rules, a team may permanently replace a player in its squad if they are no longer able to play due to serious injury or illness, including pregnancy.
 
The Steel’s midcourt ranks feature promising young midcourters in Courtney Tairi and Shannon Francois – who were both invited to attend the Silver Ferns camp in Auckland last week – and Hayley Saunders, a member of the world champion FastNet Ferns in 2010.  

“We have some very exciting talent there and our focus has always been to give them a chance to shine in the ANZ Championship. An opportunity has now become available and it is their time to step up and prove themselves,” Avellino said.