ART 19Steel signs rsing star
ONE of New Zealand’s most promising players has signed with the Southern Steel.
Courtney Elliott was announced as the injury replacement for Jamaican Malysha Kelly yesterday.
Kelly had joined the team at the start of this year, but was ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL.
That left it a player short on the defensive end and, after taking its time finding a replacement, Elliot (19) caught coach Reinga Bloxham’s eye two weeks ago.
She had been a training partner with the WaikatoBay of Plenty Magic and impressed at the ANZ Premiership’s preseason tournament.
That led to her receiving a call from Bloxham just days ago and, after a quick visit, she returned to the South yesterday to permanently join the team.
‘‘It was so unexpected, but I’m super excited about it,’’ the 1.8m defender said.
‘‘Everything just happened so fast and the next minute I’m moving to the other end of the country.
‘‘Mum didn’t even give me time to make a decision. She just said ‘you better go and pack your bags’.
‘‘My family are really proud and supportive.
‘‘It’s [the ANZ Premiership] always been something I’ve been working towards and it’s really cool that it’s now a reality.’’
Predominantly a goal keep and wing defence, although capable of playing goal defence, Elliott has an impressive CV.
She was Netball New Zealand’s secondary school player of the year in 2016,before missing most of last season with a ruptured achilles tendon.
That injury had only made her more determined though and she was looking forward to getting into the Steel environment.
Bloxham said Elliott was a good communicator, while also being hungry for the ball and bringing good footwork.
Most importantly, she was going to fit into the team environment.
That was one reason they plumped for her over an overseas player, which was an option given Kelly had previously filled the import slot.
‘‘We definitely hunted the globe. We looked far and wide and high and low,’’ Bloxham said.
‘‘At the end of the day, the biggest thing for me was if they were going to be the right person for our team.
‘‘Yes, there was some very talented players in the Commonwealth Games and we did some research into them.
‘‘But ultimately it’s nice to have someone within the New Zealand ranks that we are bringing through.’’
It will be a quick adjustment for Elliott.
She could potentially be in action as early as Sunday, when the team begins its season against the Northern Mystics in Palmerston North.