Netball

The report card would read satisfactory but with plenty of room to improve.

The Steel will be missing experienced shooters Donna Wilkins and Jodi Brown for pre-season games in Christchurch this weekend.

Steel midcourter Wendy Frew is pregnant and out of the side for the coming season.

The Steel netball franchise's financial situation is so "grim" chairwoman Janet Copeland has written two letters to Netball New Zealand and drafted a third begging for financial assistance.

Netball New Zealand is planning further raids on Australian-based talent with Kiwi links following on from the inclusion of Sydney-born midcourter Courtney Tairi in the national programme.

Netball Otago recorded a small loss of $5516 for the financial year ending on October 31, 2011.

Steel back-up shooter Ashleigh Smith did not expect a spot in the Steel squad this season.

Who would let a little thing like nearly bleeding to death slip by without a laugh? Not Demelza McCloud. The towering Steel goal keep has always had a devilish sense of humour.

Less than a year ago, Steel co-coaches Janine Southby and Natalie Avellino were little more than acquaintances.

New Steel chief executive David Bannister might have some making-up to do with the folk in Invercargill, after suggesting the franchise might be better served by relocating to Dunedin.