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June 18th 2009 www.southernsteel.co.nz
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Steel banks precious points Monday, June 15th 2009
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel 52 - LG Northern Mystics 50
by Kate Buchanan
The flash of orange footwear synonymous with Daneka Wipiiti won’t be seen on the netball court again this year, but the Southern Steel playmaker bid farewell in commanding fashion last night.
The Ascot Park Hotel-sponsored Steel kept its playoff dream alive with a crucial 52-50 victory over the LG Northern Mystics at Stadium Southland, earning outright fourth on the points table with 12 points.
Steel coach Robyn Broughton acknowledged the importance of the win. “It was a must win for us to stay up there in top four contention and we really want it, we want it big time. We had to get it,” she said.
From the onset, the Steel’s powerful display not only reflected its determination to achieve top four status, but sent the Mystics scrambling for a new strategy.
A cohesive effort was rewarded with a 13 goal buffer at one stage, the dynamic performance igniting the Southern Steel faithful. Unfortunately, the Mystics stormed their way back into contention in the second half, but the Steel held its nerve under pressure to bank precious points.
CLICK TO READ FULL MATCH REPORT
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Click for Steel vs Mystics Photo Gallery
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Rivalry Round
Round 13 of the ANZ Championship will see each team playing for more than just the match win – they will be playing for their country!
There are two rounds in the ANZ Championship where every match is a New Zealand vs Australian clash. The first is ANZAC weekend and the second is Round 13 - now known as the Rivalry Round.
In this round, the second to last of the season, goals scored by the five New Zealand teams will be added to give a national total and likewise, goals scored by the five Australian teams will be tallied. The country with the most goals at the end of the round will be presented with the ANZ Championship Rivalry Round Trophy.
The Rivalry Round will sharpen the edge of an already entertaining competition, and celebrate a unique aspect of the ANZ Championship, as General Manager, Anthony Everard explains.
“The ANZ Championship is currently the only true trans-Tasman competition across any code. We want to celebrate that and create something more for fans to get behind, other than the great match-ups we have all been treated to.”
The Rivalry Round Trophy will be awarded at the conclusion of the last Round 13 match, between Tactix and Vixens in Melbourne. The captain of the winning team in that game will accept the trophy on behalf of their country.
The Southern Steel plays the Adelaide Thunderbirds during the Rivalry Round - on Monday, 29th June at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.
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A case of watch this space by Kate Buchanan
She might be dubbed the baby of the Southern Steel, but Julianna Naoupu is wise beyond her teenage years – especially when it comes to achieving her netballing goals.
At the tender age of 17, Julianna went hunting for an ANZ Championship contract and secured a spot in last year’s inaugural Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel team.
“I played my first year for the Flames in 2007 and that was definitely a step up from club and school netball so I just wanted to go up again to the next level,” she said.
There is a quiet determination about Julianna, an unintentional signal which leaves you thinking `watch this space’ – she’s destined for higher honours.
As she competes alongside the best in arguably the world’s toughest netball competition, it’s hard to fathom Julianna only took up the code seven years ago after switching from volleyball and touch.
“At intermediate school we were only allowed to play rugby, netball or soccer and I didn’t want to play soccer because I’ve got no co-ordination,” she said. “Rugby was out so netball was the only thing I could do really.”
Natural talent to the fore – and no doubt some handy sporting genes from dad Alase and mum Kerena – and Julianna was propelled through the ranks.
CLICK TO READ JULIANNA'S FULL PROFILE
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If you're the one, YOU'VE WON !
At every Southern Steel Home game, in Invercargill or Dunedin, you'll find our special 'Southern Steeler' Photographers taking pictures of our loyal supporters in the crowd. After every home game, we'll post ONE of our favourite shots, here on our website and if the picture we show is you -YOU'VE WON!!
There are great prizes including signed Southern Steel balls to be won and much more.
So support the Southern Steel home matches, get out your best and most creative supporters gear, get your game face on and you could be the chosen Southern Steeler of the match !
CLICK to see if you were photographed at the Mystics game on Monday 15th June ! - YOU COULD BE THE ONE WHO HAS WON !
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The action heats up at www.easytosupport.co.nz
This year the action heats up even more with the brand new website created by ANZ just for fans - www.easytosupport.co.nz
With amazing weekly prizes, a super-simple ScoreSelect virtual netball competition and blogs from celebrity fans and professional players, we're making it easier get behind the Southern Steel. There's a trip for two to Sydney for the ScoreSelect overall winner*, so get your picks in now!
Register now at www.easytosupport.co.nz and you'll receive a FREE copy of Women's Health or Men's Health magazine**.
Whether you're in the stands, or following the Steel on television, www.easytosupport.co.nz has got all the good stuff to make it easy to support the ANZ Championship - the hottest game in town!
*Terms and conditions apply. **This is a limited offer and available while stocks last. This offer is only available to residents in New Zealand who are over the age of 16 years. |
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Don't miss the all out excitement of a Southern Steel HOME GAME !
As good as the live television coverage is - nothing beats the full on energy and sheer excitement of a home game. And when you're surrounded by the famous Supporters from the South at the Edgar Centre or Stadium Southland, it's a feeling you'll never forget !
There are only two home games left this season - DON'T MISS OUT - BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY !!
Monday 29 June vs. Adld. Thunderbirds - Edgar Centre, Dunedin 7.15pm
Saturday 4 July vs. NSW Swifts - Stadium Southland 2.15pm
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Skins, Strawberry Sound, Dunedin City Council, The Southland Times, Otago Daily Times, Massage Therapy Centre, Wensley Developments, Solid Energy, H & J Smith, Allied Materials, McCallum's Drycleaning, Craigs Design and Print, 100% Selectrix Invercargill, Brownies Mattress Direct, Creation Signs, Neptune Water Carriers, Yellow Pencil, C & G Rothbury, Coats and Schuck Jewellers, Write Answers, YMCA, Southern Monitoring Services, Southland Real Estate, Plaza Supervalue, Trimbles Hair Design, City Chiropractic, Invercargill Passenger Transport, Arthur Barnett, Envious Photography, Riverside Rentals, Everybodies Gym, Soeur Design
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