Keeping emotion in check
THERE is plenty of emotion involved, but Wendy Frew is trying to keep a lid on all that.
The wing defence has spent over half her life playing top flight netball in the south, first with the Southern Sting and then the Southern Steel.
In a career spanning 16 years, the 33yearold has carved out a reputation as one of the country’s toughest, most determined athletes.
Tonight the captain will step on to the Stadium Southland — or Wendy Frew Stadium as it has been renamed for the week — court for the final time.
That will provide the Steel plenty of motivation for its elimination final against the Mainland Tactix.
However, Frew was trying not to get caught up in it all.
‘‘There’s a wee bit of emotion going around,’’ she said.
‘‘But as much as I can, I’m just trying to keep everything in check and focus on performing well for the team and making sure we get the win.
‘‘So there’s a wee bit of backthought about that, but I think once we get there and get on that court it’s going to be business time.’’
If the side wins, it will give Frew one more ANZ Premiership game and the chance to retire a backtoback champion after Sunday’s final against the Central Pulse in Palmerston North.
Frew felt the side would need a consistent performance against the Tactix to do that.
She said the Christchurchbased outfit was a strong side and highlighted the everpresent defensive pairing of Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau as a danger.
Win or lose though, Frew will have one final outing in Steel colours at the Super Club tournament in Nelson on August 1924.
It was a weird feeling, although she felt it would not fully hit her until later tonight.
‘‘A lot of people are asking me how I’m feeling. It does feel really sad,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s going to be emotional after the game when it all sinks in that it was my last game.
‘‘I think that’s when I’ll feel the pain the most.’’
Aside from more family time, she was not sure what the future held.
However, she said it had been a remarkable career and she had met plenty of amazing people.
Notable among that was her time with the Silver Ferns, in which she won one test cap against Australia in 2008.
It was at the domestic level that she carved out her reputation, though.
The four titles she won with the Sting were among her favourite moments, as was last year’s title with the Steel.
The Steel title had been particularly special, the team going unbeaten and overcoming a lateseason van crash which sidelined four of its players.
Included among them was Frew and the captain required surgery before returning to play the final 16 days later.
It was determination typical of Frew, who has fought back from an Achilles injury to play this season.
Tonight she will put that spirit on display one more time for the Southland crowd.