Shoard (22), who played for the ANZ Championship-winning Sydney Swifts last year, has been signed by the Southern Steel and joined the squad in Invercargill yesterday.
Shoard is expected to fill a gap made by the departure of Megan Dehn and Jess Tuki, and fight for a place in the shooting circle with the returning Donna Wilkins, Julianna Naoupu and Daneka Wipiti.
Shoard, a former Australian under-21 player, played for the Swifts in 2006 when the side won the Commonwealth Bank Trophy, and again in 2008 when it won the inaugural ANZ Championship.
"I've been part of one team which has won plenty of things, so it would be great to come out here and be part of another successful team."
Shoard was forced to play an understudy role with the Sydney team, which had Australian representatives Susan Pratley and Catherine Cox in its shooting circle.
"It's always good to learn from such experienced players and awesome to play with them. But it was tough at times, not playing that many games.
"I learned so much from them, though, and after all I'm only a young player."
The move to the Steel was initiated by the southern franchise and Shoard said it was not an easy decision to move to Invercargill.
"But I thought you only get these sort of offers once so why not go for it."
She had trained hard alone during the last few months at home and could not wait to get involved in the Steel system.
"It will be the chance to play the New Zealand style. I think the ball movement in Australia is a bit more quick and direct while here is a bit different."
Her physical education studies at the University of Wollongong are on hold as she concentrates on netball.
She is looking forward to playing with experienced hands such as Adine Harper and Wilkins.
"Though I've never seen Donna play I've heard what an amazing player she is. It is great for your game to play with experienced players."
