A Word from Wenz

Every game in the ANZ Championship is a challenge and tomorrow’s encounter against the defending champion Queensland Firebirds is no exception.

There’s been heaps of media coverage this week highlighting the highly-anticipated “top of the table” clash and plenty of references to our similarities.

Well, I guess we both have a towering Jamaican shooter under the goal post and each sit at the helm of our respective conference tables. There’s a massive amount of wisdom guiding both teams with our coaching guru Noels notching up her 100th ANZ Championship game a fortnight ago while her Firebirds counterpart Roselee Jenke will celebrate the milestone tomorrow.

Being compared to a team the calibre of the Firebirds is a compliment but, being a proud Kiwi, what I’m most excited about is one thing which makes us uniquely different. The prospect of seeing our New Zealand style take on that of the Aussies. Yep, I’m hoping for a true-blue trans-Tasman battle in every sense of the word.

We’ve had this game circled since pre-season as the ultimate benchmark and we’re fired up to see how we fare against a team many regard as the one to beat.

Since arriving from Jamaica four years ago, our Jae has never missed a game and will clock up her 50th Steel appearance. You only have to look at the statistics to know what an asset she is to our team, but it extends far greater than goals. Her mix of Caribbean sass and a beautiful soul is a great addition to our team culture which continues to develop every season. Congrats Jae on another achievement to add to your collection.

Enjoy the game!

Cheers,
Wendy Frew

Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v The Coffee Club Queensland Firebirds

Saturday 11 June, 4pm (local time)
Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Broadcast: Live on SKY SPORT 3 (NZ), Fox Sports 3 (AUS)
Umpires: Jono Bredin and Ann Hay
Reserve: Gareth Fowler

LAST TIME THEY MET : Round 14, 2015: Firebirds 66 def Steel 50 (Brisbane)

• The Firebirds have the best record of any Australian team on New Zealand soil with 17 wins from 21 matches at an 81% success rate.
•The Steel extended their longest ANZ Championship winning run to seven matches when they defeated the Tactix 81-51 in round 10 in Christchurch. The Steel’s previous best consecutive winning run was four matches.
• The Steel recorded their biggest ever ANZ Championship win when the beat the Tactix by 30-goals in Round 10.
• Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (Steel) will play her 50th ANZ Championship match in Round 11.
• Roselee Jenke will become the fourth person to coach 100 ANZ Championship matches in Round 11.
• Jono Bredin will become the second person to umpire 100 ANZ Championship matches in Round 11.

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