Steel announce four signings

Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Te Paea Selby-Rickit has re-signed with the Southern Steel, one of four signings announced today. Photo: Supplied
The Southern Steel has re-signed two players and added a further two to its books.

Te Paea and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit will return to the franchise after being key cogs in the 2017 unbeaten ANZ Premiership campaign.

Joining them are goal attack Olivia Bates and midcourter Dani Gray.

Both linked with the team and impressed after a van accident left the team depleted late in the season.

They have been rewarded with full time contracts.

Coach Reinga Bloxham said re-signing the Selby-Rickit sisters would be key going into the season.

“They are both a really crucial part of our team and to have that leadership at each end of the court is going to be really important going into next season,” she said.

“They aren’t ‘in-your-face’ leaders but they both inspire on and off the court. They look very relaxed in their approach but it’s all business when it comes to game time.

“The great thing about Te Paea is how consistent she is and the growth she has shown in that attack end leading others around her. I think Te Huinga is very underestimated but she’s such an important cog in our wheel.”

Meanwhile she said the two newcomers had impressed and was excited by what they could bring.

“Those two proved to us that they deserved a chance. Every time they came into our environment they took the opportunity and really immersed themselves in everything we did. There’s a huge amount of talent and netball nous there,” she said.

The quartet join midcourt trio of Gina Crampton, Shannon Francois and Wendy Frew as part of the Steel's 2017 roster.

From last season it has lost Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Jane Watson and Jamie Hume, as well as its rising star from the Beko League Aliyah Dunn.

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