Netball: Signing of Mikaere adds height to Steel's defensive unit

Sue Clarke.
Sue Clarke.
There is no substitute for height when you have to mark a lanky Jamaican every other week.

With that in mind the Southern Steel has increased the average height of its squad by signing towering Magic defender Erena Mikaere.

At 1.93m, the 25-year-old should give the Steel more options than it had this year.

A member of the Magic for the past three seasons, Mikaere's court time was limited by the formidable pairing of Silver Ferns Casey Kopua and Leana de Bruin.

The possibility of more action helped persuade her to move south.

''I had a few discussions with key people that influence my netball career and we wanted to make the best decision for the goals I want to achieve,'' she said.

''Steel felt like the right fit for that.''

Mikaere has a 3-year-old daughter, Bileigh, and is completing her final year of a teaching degree.

The addition of Mikaere completes a defensive unit which also features experienced campaigner Rachel Rasmussen and New Zealand under-21 representatives Storm Purvis and Phoenix Karaka, who claimed gold at the world youth championships in Glasgow at the weekend.

The franchise now has 10 players confirmed for 2014, including Silver Fern Jodi Brown, Jamaican international Jhaniele Fowler and New Zealand under-21 star Te Paea Selby-Rickit on attack, along with dynamic midcourters Silver Fern Shannon Francois, Wendy Frew and Phillipa Finch.

Steel chief executive Sue Clarke said the 2014 campaign was taking shape - on and off the court.

''We have a vibrant and talented squad of athletes committed to the Steel which bodes well for a successful season ahead as we build on the momentum established this year,'' she said.

''As a franchise we are eagerly anticipating our return to Stadium Southland and transforming it once again into a fortress where opposition teams fear to tread.

''There are some great initiatives planned which we look forward to sharing with our supporters.''

 

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