The Southern Steel chief executive has already locked in star English shooter George Fisher for next year’s ANZ Premiership.
She was also confident in retaining another four starters from this year’s team, which defied expectations to make the playoffs.
It was certainly a stark contrast to the end of last season.
The Steel had finished a tough year with just four wins and some gaping holes.
Injuries had ravaged its shooting line-up, and long-time wing attack Gina Crampton had left.
The franchise was unable to land the top players it had pursued.
So it was left to take some gambles on young and enthusiastic players.
Those gambles ultimately paid off.
Alongside the team reaching the playoffs, it catapulted both Kate Heffernan and Tiana Metuarau into the Silver Ferns squad named this week.
However, Winders admitted it had been a tough time.
"When it comes to approaching players, last season was hell on legs.
"We had two serious injuries and we had a new shooting group to recruit.
"Some of the players had moved on. There were so many gaps to fill.
"I felt like I was in the fight of my life in the contracting window just trying to get in front of players to bring them on board."
The Steel began inconsistently, but hit a run of form and found the ability to just win games.
It was not always pretty, but there was plenty of grit and determination evident in the team.
That was something few had predicted, particularly after the Steel lost all 28 quarters of pre-season netball.
Even Winders admitted making the playoffs may have been an optimistic goal.
"If I was honest with myself about the start of the season, I would say I was hoping for finals series, but I wasn’t expecting it.
"But as the season wore on and the girls started to shine and grow in such an amazing way, my perception of that changed pretty quickly. I started to understand and believe this team could go all the way.
"It’s been a great ride."
There was a strong showing from a group of youngsters given their opportunity.
It also said plenty about first-year captain Shannon Saunders and the ability of head coach Reinga Bloxham.
Bloxham had won with some very good teams in her early years with the Steel.
Last year, travel and injury situations made it tough to get results.
This year was her first chance to show her ability to get the most out of a squad.
She very much did that and Winders called her the "in-form coach in the whole competition".
Bloxham’s contract ended this year but Winders hoped to sign her on for another three years.
