Steel takes on nemesis Pulse in legacy match
May 30, 2025
Taking control of its own destiny means one thing for the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel this weekend – victory.
The team doesn’t have to look far for added motivation given the Robyn Broughton Legacy Trophy will be up for grabs against the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Invercargill on Sunday.
Steel takes on its northern nemesis in memory of Broughton, an influential coach whose impact at both franchises remains unrivalled.
The Pulse snatched bragging rights in convincing fashion last season but will undoubtedly face an opponent with a steely determination to rectify Monday night’s one-goal loss and add valuable points to its ANZ Premiership campaign.
Steel head coach Wendy Frew is acutely aware of the stakes.
“We are getting into the territory of ‘must win’ now. There are only 10 games this season to secure a spot in the finals series so we simply can’t afford too many losses,” she said.
“We’ve done the maths and we know how vitally important a strong performance against the Pulse is.”
Reflecting on Monday’s stellar performance against the Mystics invoked a sense of pride.
“The Mystics are the defending champions and the in-form team so I was really proud of our performance. It was so close and there was a lot of hurt from that game which we will use as fuel,” Frew said.
“There is pressure on us to succeed and pressure is a good thing. You look at yourself harder and come back stronger from a game like that. We have the opportunity to be better against the Pulse.”
Home turf advantage and a capacity crowd at the Steel’s home fortress of ILT Stadium Southland could prove crucial.
“It’s going to be so amazing to step into ILT Stadium Southland for the first time this season. Some of our players have only ever been there as opposition previously so it’s an exciting moment for them.
“The players all hear the crowd and they live for it – it’s so cool to see the south getting behind us and committing to being our eighth player.”
Memories of netball’s hey-day with Broughton at the helm – a time when both Frew and assistant coach Liana Leota marshalled the midcourt as players – were incredibly special.
“We’ve talked a lot about Robbie throughout this season and what a force she was for netball in the region so it’s an honour for every one of us to play in this match and we all respect the importance of it,” Frew said.
Tickets to Sunday’s 4pm game are on sale from ILT Stadium Southland or online at www.southernsteel.co.nz. In a curtain-raiser match, the Southern Blast will take on Central Manawa in the Synergy Hair National Netball League at 2.05pm.
