Victory is sweet for Steel boss
❛ The team know the winning feeling again now, so they are hungry for more
Southern Steel chief executive Sonya Fleming
SONYA Fleming had to wait patiently in the wings for victory as the Southern Steel’s boss. The Steel chief executive took over the franchise’s top job at the start of 2023, after the Steel had lost their final three games of the ANZ Premiership season in 2022.
Nobody could have envisioned losing all 15 games last season and the first three of the 2024 season, and for the Steel to be on the end of a 21game losing streak.
But that was broken on Saturday when the Steel beat the Northern Stars 6361 in extra time in front of their loyal home crowd — and gave Fleming her first taste of victory.
‘‘It was so amazing to break the streak at our Steel fortress, in front of our fans, funders and our partners who have fuelled the determination in our team,’’ Fleming said.
‘‘To come back from eight goals down to level the odds and put us into an epic overtime period was so exciting and emotional.
‘‘To get the 6361 victory at the final whistle, and watching the team, and our fans, at that moment was truly special.
‘‘I couldn’t be more proud of our team, both on and off the court.’’
The organisation had ‘‘100% belief’’ in its flagship team and she was excited to see their trajectory for the rest of the season, Fleming said.
The Steel have another task this Saturday against the WaikatoBay of Plenty Magic — who have also recorded their one win against the Stars, and who only lost 5453 to the unbeaten Mainland Tactix on Monday.
But the Steel were determined to keep moving forward, Fleming said.
‘‘The team know the winning feeling again now, so they are hungry for more.
‘‘We take each game week by week, learning and building as a team, but having this win elevates the confidence and ability for the team to do their jobs and know how to close out a game.
‘‘We are certainly going to continue to give it everything in this competition.’’
There has been plenty of speculation in recent months about the future of the ANZ Premiership and the possibility of three New Zealand teams being added to Super Netball in Australia.
While her focus was on the rest of the ANZ Premiership season, the franchise was waiting on an announcement from Netball New Zealand on netball beyond the 2024 season, Fleming said.
‘‘I am really excited to see what the future of netball will look like.’’