Hume, Erwood sign for Steel

Jamie Hume.

The Southern Steel’s roster for 2017 is complete.Jamie Hume and Abby Erwood have been re-signed, finalising the 10-player squad for next year’s new New Zealand domestic league.

Hume (20), a 1.82m shooter originally from Clyde, was a key player in helping South win the developmental Beko League title this year.

Despite being yet to make her Steel debut, she impressed enough with South to make the Silver Ferns trials, eventually being named in the New Zealand A team.

Meanwhile, 1.81m defender Erwood (19), from South Otago, made her Steel debut in this year’s ANZ Championship playoffs.

Steel chief executive Lana Winders said the duo brought a great attitude that was key to the culture the Steel had developed.

"I think they bring a lot of youth, vitality and enthusiasm. They have amazing attitudes to training and learning," she said.

"They’re just really good southern girls who seem to really respond beautifully to the values and culture of the team."

Abby Erwood.

Winders said maintaining nine players from this year’s squad would be key going forward.

"It’s so good to have, of the 10 players, nine returning to Steel colours. It’s brilliant," she said.

"And to have Jennifer O’Connell to join the ranks is just brilliant. [She was] one of our top performers from our development team this year."

The decision to include four shooters and just three midcourters was the biggest surprise in the squad’s make-up.

However, O’Connell’s ability to play as a defender, as well as her primary position as a shooter, was key in her winning a spot over a fourth midcourter.

"That was the thought in her coming in behind Abby and Jamie as that 10th player; she’s got a bit of versatility there," Winders said.

"We’ve got a core squad of 10, but we’ll be working very closely with our South development team in the Beko League next year to support our midcourt."

She said having 10 players made the prospect of players being called up "very real", as the squad would look to expand to 12 from time to time.

Stacey Peeters has not re-signed while Storm Purvis and Brooke Leaver have moved on to other franchises.

Wendy Frew will captain the side and will form a midcourt trio with Gina Crampton and Shannon Francois.Star Jamaican international Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and new Silver Fern Te Paea Selby-Rickit join Hume and O’Connell as shooters.

Jane Watson, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Erwood will contest the defensive spots.

The Steel’s search for a new coach continues.

Applications for the role, left vacant by Noeline Taurau, closed yesterday and it was hoped an appointment could be made by the end of the month.

● English international Sara Bayman is the last piece of the Central Pulse puzzle as it completes its roster for 2017.

A proven international performer at centre and wing defence, 31-year-old Bayman will bring height and experience to the Pulse midcourt.

Pulse squad: Te Amo Amaru-Tibble, Sara Bayman, Sheridan Bignall, Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Katrina Grant, Phoenix Karaka, Claire Kersten, Whitney Souness, Cathrine Tuivaiti.

— Additional reporting NZN