Steel captain’s proud parents support daughter all the way
Proud parents know well the sideline commitment they make when their children sign up for sports.
For the Telfers the obligation is slightly bigger with their daughter playing in the trans-Tasman netball competition.
Karen and Colin Telfer, parents of Southern Steel captain Wendy Frew, are bound for the Waikato to watch their daughter and her team play off in an elimination match against the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Hamilton today.
Steel secured third place in the conference last Sunday, even though they were beaten 66-50 by the Queensland Firebirds in the final round. The winner of the match will meet the Northern Mystics next Monday for the New Zealand title. The finalists from New Zealand will go on to play Australia’s top two teams in the semifinals for the right to be crowned trans-Tasman champions.
The Telfers will be on board the first flight out of Invercargill today to make the 3.10pm game.
Karen Telfer said they had not made it to many away games this year.
They would try to go to all the games but it became an expensive affair, she said.
‘‘We’ve got kids over in Aussie so we normally try and tee up something,’’ Colin said.
With five daughters and three sons the Telfers were never short of sports games to watch.
‘‘Now we’re following grandkids too on Saturday mornings,’’ Karen said.
It was a full Saturday again, like they had when their kids were growing up but they would not have it any other way, she said.
‘‘When ever you see your kids doing well like that it’s a great, you feel proud of them.’’
If the family could not make the game they were usually all ready to go on the couch with the kids and a few aunties, Karen said.
‘‘When they get to those tight games you’ll probably hear us jump up and down on the couch.
‘‘You can’t sit still and relax because there’s been so many close games.’’
‘‘Netball’s a hard game to watch, it’s not like rugby,’’ Colin said.
In netball every pass was pivotal, he said. In rugby the same thing might happen every minute, but not every pass, Colin said.
The Telfers are confident their daughter’s side will win.
‘‘I imagine the Magic will be full of beans after getting beaten by the Tactix,’’ Colin said.
‘‘They [Steel] have got every chance,’’ Karen said.