Skip Ekenasio’s happy with face slap from Ferns
New captain ‘extremely privileged’ to be taking up role
“It felt like a slap in the face” — that was the best way Ameliaranne Ekenasio could describe the feeling of being named Silver Ferns captain this week.
Six years on from making her debut in the black dress, Ekenasio has emerged as one of the world’s most threatening goal attacks.
She was hailed as one of the key players in the Silver Ferns World Cupwinning squad last year — even the presence of Maria Folau couldn’t cast a shadow.
However, when named to captain the national side in the upcoming Nations Cup, Ekenasio, 29, admits it was a shock.
“I really wasn’t expecting it, I haven’t been in this position at all yet,” she says. “It took me quite a while to process and come to terms with.
“It’s just another really big step to take . . . but I feel extremely privileged.”
Ekenasio, who made her Silver Ferns debut against the Australian Diamonds in 2014, was identified by her teammates, coaches, management team and a select group of players from the wider squad through a voting system as best to lead the side.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua said Ekenasio was unanimously the top candidate, with vicecaptains Gina Crampton and Jane Watson also in the mix as future leaders.
She ticked all Taurua’s boxes, including having leadership skills, international experience and being well-spoken, but for Ekenasio, the most important is her relationship with her teammates.
I wasn’t expecting it, I haven’t been in this position. It took me a while to process and come to terms with.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
“Leadership for me is 100 per cent stepping up into your own authenticity,” she says. “I really care so much about the girls and I think we’ve got a good thing going on here.
“When they voted me in, I couldn’t deny it or anything and I think that’s the way I’ll take this role. I care so much about the team, and in that, we’ll all help each other through it anyway.”
Without the likes of former captains Laura Langman and Katrina Rore and the now-retired Casey Kopua and Folau, Ekenasio not only has big shoes to fill but a tough task ahead of her.
The Silver Ferns Nations Cup team features young up-and-comers such as Maia Wilson, Whitney Souness and Kimiora Poi — all who will need a calm head to look to in high-pressure situations.
Earlier this week, Taurua revealed she was wary of overloading Ekenasio, admitting the star goal attack was still “finding her feet” herself.
But she downplayed any reason for concern.
“It’s something new that she will have to contend with and how she works that through,” Taurua said. “We’ll have to make sure we put the structures in and around her so we are not overloading her and that’s something we’re mindful of.
“I have no worries about it but I think it’s something that she has to learn.”
Ekenasio will have four games in the upcoming series to establish herself as captain. What her future in the role beyond that looks like, however, remains undecided, with little word on the return of Langman and Rore from sabbaticals.
The Silver Ferns play their first game against England on Monday morning (NZT) in Nottingham — their first clash with the Roses since defeating them in the World Cup semifinals.
The Ferns have spent the past week in the UK preparing. Ekenasio says they’re tracking nicely.
“Quite a few more trainings to go and I think we’ll really feel good once we get on the other side of those,” she says.
“We can’t wait to get going again, definitely a new-look, new-feel team and we’re happy where things are at but we’re always striving to be better.
“We’re making movement, we’re doing the work behind the scenes, so hopefully it all just comes to fruition nicely.”