Home support reflects Steel’s winning momentum
June 27, 2025
Another sold out home game is looming for the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel, reinforcing the rekindled excitement surrounding the team.
With the euphoria of Monday night’s thrilling one-goal victory over the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse still palpable, the team returns to ILT Stadium Southland tomorrow to face a new challenge in the form of the Avis Magic.
With an involvement now spanning 18 seasons, Steel chief executive Sonya Fleming has experienced the ebbs and flows which come with elite sport and admits she has a dual focus.
“Naturally, from a performance perspective I want to see the team continue its winning form. And from an event perspective, it’s all about filling the venue and ensuring everyone has a great experience,” she said.
“The aim is 100 percent to achieve both. I want to see that sold out sign swinging from the doors of ILT Stadium Southland.
“As cliché as it is, our crowd really is an eighth player on the court for us. We have phenomenal fans and this stadium is our fortress.
“When you hear players who ventured south to join the team speak about what it was like to be the opposition here, you soon realise how much it does affect them so it’s definitely a huge advantage for us.”
The Steel’s recent form had “everyone amped”.
“The excitement really has gone to a whole new level. There’s an opportunity for us to make the playoffs and the community really shares our belief in what this team is capable of.”
With membership sales up 15 percent, the Steel also sold out its first Invercargill game of the season on June 1 against the Pulse, opening the upper tier of seating for the first time in many years.
“The objective was to sell out the first of our home games and keep the momentum going across the season. Due to demand, those stands will stay open,” Fleming said.
“We are very grateful for the support we receive from our community – everyone from our funders and sponsors to our centres, clubs and fans.”
With the ANZ Premiership reduced to 10 rounds leading into the finals series, revenue opportunities had been limited, but positives had emerged.
“There are several factors which have come into play this season when it comes to ticket sales. With less home games, there is more interest in being courtside to watch the action unfold. And every opponent is different this year – we aren’t playing any teams twice at home – so that also has a positive impact.”
The revamped 2025 roster, including the recruitment of coaches Wendy Frew and Liana Leota, had added a refreshing dynamic.
“We kept the core of the squad and strategically added the talent we felt was needed to continue building. It was a key focus for us to be in a position to really challenge for finals contention,” Fleming said.
“When it comes to culture and engagement, the team is really connecting with the community and that loyalty stems both ways. People want to be at the games to support those players.”
This weekend is being hailed as the league’s Community Round and the franchise was eager to celebrate the volunteers at the heart of its netball centres and clubs.
“The Steel are in the spotlight as our ambassadors but it extends far beyond the team. We have some incredible people in our sport across all levels of the game,” Fleming said.
“It’s fantastic to have this community round to be able to celebrate their dedication to netball.”
Netball South’s Southern Blast team will contest its final game of the Synergy Hair National League season at 2pm against Waikato Bay of Plenty Matarau.
“These are our next generation Steel players and we need to get right behind them so they can finish the season on a high note,” Fleming said.
The final 200 tickets to Saturday’s game are available online at southernsteel.co.nz or from ILT Stadium Southland.
