Wendy Telfer gives a new meaning to the term all-rounder.
She can slug softballs out of the park, step her opponents on the touch field and when the defender is not making a menace of herself on the netball court, she is whacking in nails at her new home.
The sports-mad 23-year-old had six seasons with the successful Sting franchise in the National Bank Cup and is looking forward to playing with the Steel in the inaugural ANZ Championship.
But if she had her way, she would not have to give up playing international softball. Telfer has played for the White Sox and is still a member of the squad. But with the ANZ Championship putting greater demands on players, playing both sports at international level has become untenable.
‘‘I enjoy playing softball and still play a bit, but with my netball it takes a back seat,'' the hard-hitter said.
She also represented New Zealand at touch rugby in a mixed team ‘‘ages ago'' and still likes to play when she gets an opportunity.
A development officer for Netball Southland, Telfer promotes netball in the region's schools and runs development camps when she is not training with the Steel.
And, in any spare time, Telfer and her partner plan to build their new home in Invercargill.
Netball, though, is definitely the priority. And if she was not motivated enough by the challenges of the new competition, battling for a spot in the starting seven is sure to bring the best out of the competitive wing-defence.
Telfer is by no means a guaranteed starter in a squad that has plenty of talent. Her main competition will come from Silver Ferns squad member Debbie White.
‘‘There is some tough competition in the side but I think that will make the team strong, with everyone trying to squeeze into the starting seven,'' she said.
Rather than box herself into a corner, Telfer is giving herself the best opportunity of making the run-on side by working on different skill sets.
‘‘I've played a lot of wing-defence in the past but I'm trying to develop my centre game more. I just need to work on my feeding a bit more and finding the shooters.''
As for the Steel's chances, Telfer is optimistic.
‘‘I think we've got a good mix. We've got some young players but we've also got some experience with Jenny-May Coffin in the mid-court.''
Telfer was part of a talented under-21 side that won the world youth cup in Miami in 2005. That side featured four of her Steel team-mates - Jessica Tuki, Katrina Grant, Liana Barrett-Chase and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.
Somehow, Steel coach Robyn Broughton has managed to assemble the core of that promising group.
A shrewd campaigner, Broughton guided the Sting to seven titles in the 10 years of the franchise-based competition and is well respected by the players.
‘‘She is very organised and has lots of new ideas and lets the players have a lot of input. We've got a lot of respect for her,'' Telfer said.
She believes the Magic and Northern Mystics look strong from New Zealand, and the Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne teams shape as the sides to beat.
The Steel will continue its pre-season campaign in Dunedin this weekend, with games against the Otago Men and Otago Development teams at 10.30am and 1.30pm tomorrow.
Entry to both games, to be played at the Edgar Centre, is free.
