Our Jae is shooting for success

There’s no denying Steel sharpshooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid has enjoyed some sweet success in her previous encounters with the Mainland Tactix.
 
Last season she set an ANZ Championship record for most goals scored by an individual, racking up a tally of 65 in the Steel’s round two win … then repeated the feat just four weeks later in the rematch.
 
But don’t go asking her about records – it doesn’t even enter the equation when it comes to preparing for Sunday’s clash at ILT Stadium Southland.
 
“It’s a completely new game – as long as I score the goals and my team wins, that’s all that matters. Record or not,” she said.
 
“I know the Tactix are going to come out really hard as they always do against us. It’s just up to us to maintain our focus and really concentrate going into the game knowing we can do it.”
 
The Steel has garnered a lot of confidence from the round one thriller against the Mystics in Auckland.
 
“I’m very proud of our performance,” Jhaniele said. “Honestly, I just felt that the team was playing as one and we all were doing our own job which makes it easier for us.”
 
Now in her fourth season with the Steel, the Jamaican international is eager to take the court in their “home fortress”.
 
“Playing in front of the Invercargill crowd is one of my greatest passions because they bring so much energy,” she said.
 
“It’s all about being the pride of the south and we want to succeed for them.”
 
Tickets sales for Sunday’s opening home game are 174 percent stronger than the equivalent game last year with about 85 percent of the Stadium’s capacity now sold.
 
“It’s our vision to have stadia full of Steel fanatics. We’re striving to achieve that for all of our home games this season and sales are going well towards achieving that but nothing beats a sell-out crowd to really fire the players up,” chief executive Lana Winders said.
 
“There’s been a strong focus during the off-season on creating a better game experience for our fans. Without giving too much away, it’s fair to say the opposition will know they are in Steel territory from the moment they step through the stadium doors.”
 
While membership is currently down five percent on 2015, the public still has until Sunday’s game starts to secure a five-game Steel VIP pass for the season.
 
Victory over the Mystics had sparked interest, along with the introduction of Noeline Taurua as head coach.
 
“Noeline has added an element of the unknown which intrigues people. Her willingness to be part of our Steel family, be absorbed in our environment and her passion for the team is incredibly strong in such a short space of time,” Lana said.
 
“She’s even texting all of our members before and after each game to give them an insight into the team which reflects how much she cares for our fans and the franchise as a whole. You have to be a Steel VIP member to get those exclusive insights from Noeline though.”

Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Mainland Tactix

Sunday 10 April, 4pm (local time)
ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
Broadcast: Live on SKY SPORT 4 (NZ), Fox Sports 2
Umpires: Jonathan Bredin and Kristie Simpson
Reserve: Gareth Fowler

LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 6, 2015: Steel 84 def Tactix 58 (Christchurch)

• The Tactix have not beaten Steel since Jhaniele Fowler-Reid joined the side in 2013.
• The Steel holds a 13-win, three-loss record against the Tactix since 2008.
• The Steel’s 84-goals against the Tactix in their last meeting is the ANZ Championship’s highest ever score.
• Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (Steel) shot the most goals in Round 1 with 48 from 56 at 86%, just ahead of Caitlin Bassett who shot 47 but left the court late in the final quarter.

DON'T MISS IT!  Tickets available at www.ticketdirect.co.nz

We’re looking for a Senior A netball team for each of our ANZ Championship home games in 2016 to act as official Steel hosts.

The role is an important addition to our game day experience as you will greet our fans when they arrive at the game and bid them a fond farewell at the end.
Your team will get to watch the action unfold on court, receive $50 towards dressing up in Steel colours (you have to look the part!) and, best of all, you’ll also earn a $350 donation towards fundraising to attend the South Island Secondary School Tournament.
If you think your team has got what it takes - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

To nominate your team, simply email  kate.buchanan@netballsouth.co.nz with your name, school and why you think you’d make awesome Steel Hosts!

The 2016 E Hayes Ball Deliverer Competition

E Hayes and Sons is a valued Partner of the Steel and together we are looking for keen keen young netball fans to become Official Ball Deliverers for the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel's home games in Invercargill and Dunedin this season.

As a lucky winner, you'll get to deliver the match ball right on to centre court at the start of the game plus receive two tickets for you and a guardian to watch the game and soak up the great home-crowd atmosphere. And if that isn't exciting enough, you'll also get to take home a prize pack of goodies courtesy of E Hayes and Sons and the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel!

Official Ball Deliverer for Sunday's Game against the Tactix is: Leilani Salesa-Henry from Invercargill

Entries are now open for our second home came against the Central Pulse in Invercargill on Sunday 24th April.

FIND OUT MORE AND ENTER HERE

• Allied Concrete • The Southland Times • Creation Signs • McCallums Drycleaning • Rothbury Insurance Brokers • World Health and Fitness • Dianne Manson - Nationwide Images New Zealand • ILT Stadium Southland • Strawberry Sound • Kinetic Health • Roslyn Physiotherapy • Splash Palace - Invercargill • Unichem • Waikiwi Pharmacy • NZHealth.delivery • Impress Clothing & Accessories • Fusion Fitness South • Heineken • Pernod Ricard • IHG Hotels • APN Outdoor • 2XU • Omni Graphics

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Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel - PO Box 6034, Invercargill North, Invercargill 9841 NEW ZEALAND Telephone + 64 3 219 9350