Steel signings ready to grasp opportunity

Dani Gray and Olivia Bates at the Edgar Centre yesterday after being announced as new Southern Steel players for the 2018 season. Photo: Gregor Richardson
Dani Gray and Olivia Bates at the Edgar Centre yesterday after being announced as new Southern Steel players for the 2018 season. Photo: Gregor Richardson
Neither of the Southern Steel's two new signings were expecting the news that came their way.

Goal attack Olivia Bates and midcourter Dani Gray were both announced as new members of the team on Tuesday.

Both played for the South Beko League team this year and, while they had spent time with the Steel, getting fulltime contracts was unexpected.

''Just really exciting I think,'' Gray (21) said when asked for her reaction.

''I don't think either of us were expecting it at all, so a really nice surprise, but just a really great opportunity.''

The duo had a taste of the higher level, having been plucked from the Beko League after a van accident left the Steel short of players.

Their performance in that game, as well as in the post-season Super Club tournament, had been key to their being signed.

Both said it had been a special game, one made easier by the way they were accepted into the team so smoothly.

It also meant they had a taste of the higher level, something Gray said was a ''good step up''.

''The intensity is a lot higher, of course, and I think just the atmosphere as well is huge.

''You go from playing in front of a few hundred people to thousands and it's crazy.

''That grand final, we were both like 'wow, it's a bit of an eye-opener'.

''But it's a good step up. I don't think it's too hard, if you know what I mean; they make it quite easy for us which is good.''

For Bates, sister of New Zealand women's cricket captain Suzie Bates, it had been a special year, having returned to the sport after Steel coach Reinga Bloxham asked her to trial for the Beko League team.

Had she not done that, she was unsure if she would have come back.

''I've had a bit of a break over the last year. It's a bit overwhelming. I still haven't come to terms with it that I'm in the team,'' the 26-year-old said.

''I just had been playing netball for a long time and I guess Dunedin's so small, the same people you know.

''So I just needed to have a break to re-energise and sort myself out and see if it was really what I wanted to do.

''So I've lost words. I can't believe it really.''

Having grown up in Dunedin, playing for the Steel was something Bates had always wanted to do.

She had previously worked as a netball development officer for Netball South and Dunedin Netball, although she was currently one year away from completing a teaching degree.

That would be put on hold, while for Gray it was perfect timing.

She is set to finish her physical education degree at the end of the year.

Originally from Ohau, a small town south of Levin, she had followed her brother south to study.

Now in her fourth year in Dunedin, she had spent the past two in the Beko League team, while travelling to the Sunshine Coast earlier in the year with the Steel in its pre-season.

Both were excited, although a little nervous, as they headed towards becoming fulltime Steel players.

With a few months before the team gathered for next season, they planned on getting in plenty of training to be in the best shape possible.

''We've heard stories about pre-season and we don't want to be on the back foot,'' Gray said.

The duo signed on Tuesday alongside sisters Te Paea and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.

With the midcourt of Gina Crampton, Wendy Frew and Shannon Francois all locked down, there remains three spots left on the Steel roster for 2018.

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