Steel recruits dynamic midcourter

May 30, 2024

A standout performance on debut has earned promising midcourter Serina Daunakamakama an ANZ Premiership contract with the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel.

The 20-year-old has ventured south from her Auckland home for the remainder of the season as a replacement for Shannon Saunders, who was ruled out of action earlier this month with a knee injury.

With Ivari Christie also side-lined with injury last weekend, Daunakamakama was awarded a full game against the MG Mystics and impressed with a dynamic performance despite just two training sessions with the Steel.

Head coach Reinga Bloxham was excited to add Daunakamakama’s skills to her roster.

“Serina slotted in so well in the Mystics game. As she has been a training partner for them it may have made her entry to ANZ Premiership slightly easier knowing the opposition so well,” she said.

“Going into the game we spoke about her doing her own job and those others around her taking care of her by doing their jobs well so it was satisfying as a coach to see that scenario play out so well.

“Serina created nice space which opened up the court and was safe with the ball. She has a solid skillset base and her feeds into the shooters were on point.

“She will only grow with more game time and more training time with her new team mates. We are all very excited to have her here in the south and looking forward to working alongside her.”

The Steel’s next assignment is against Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse at ILT Stadium Southland on Saturday, with round 8 doubling as the Heritage Round – a chance to reflect on the team’s journey since its inception in 2008.

“It is awesome to be able to look back at all of the players and management who have paved the way for us. The Steel has a strong history that connects strongly to the community and our fans. We would be nothing without their unwavering support. They understand the game and ride the highs and lows with us but always turn up to support us,” Bloxham said.

“Looking back at the past players and management makes us appreciate how fortunate we are to be here. Being in the Steel team is a privileged role that we all work hard to achieve and even harder to stay here.

“With only 81 players being contracted over the 17 seasons, it shows that most players come and stay or return in some instances because this environment is unique. It’s a good chance for our current team to look back and see how we will contribute to the Steel’s history.”

Tickets are available from ILT Stadium Southland or online at www.southernsteel.co.nz