Heffernan honoured to be Steel’s new skipper
Dynamic midcourter Kate Heffernan has earned the captaincy of the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel.
The 24-year-old will be at the helm of a team determined to be a force on the court during the ANZ Premiership.
She adds her name to a long list of Steel and Sting captains including Wendy Frew, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Bernice Mene, to name a few.
“It’s really cool, and it will be an honour to lead this group of players, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together,” Heffernan said.
Now in her seventh season with the Southern franchise, Heffernan is an experienced campaigner, and will be strongly supported by former captain Shannon Saunders in the vice-captaincy role.
“The chance to do this alongside Shannon ensures I have a lot of experience and support to back me up,” she said.
“Shannon is going to be massive for us. We are so grateful that she is sacrificing that time away from bubs at home, and she’s making it work and nailing it.”
The Steel’s vice-captain last year, Heffernan was appointed co-vice-captain of the Silver Ferns for their UK tour in January.
“There is always so much to learn in terms of leadership, but it’s great to have those opportunities,” she said.
“As coaches, both Curly and Noels (Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua) have said, ‘Don’t try to be anyone else’ – and it’s the best advice.
“You see other leaders, and they are just so natural because they have developed their own style. Everyone has their wayy, and I’m figuring out mine. Having Shannon there with her experience allows me to do that as we go along.”
The Steel have welcomed a trio of former players back into the mix this season – Abbey Lawson (nee Erwood), Jennifer O’Connell and Taneisha Fifita.
“They know what’s expected, they know how it works, and I think it’s refreshing, and it’s going to be a really good dynamic with them back,” Heffernan said.
“It’s been really cool to see how much they have missed the environment, and the new perspective they have coming back into it after different life experiences away from netball.”
Heffernan said she had high expectations of the Steel, based on what she has witnessed during the pre-season.
“We’ve got a really good side and we’re going to be super-competitive.”
A winless 2023 season injected plenty of motivation.
“It is the past and, while it would be silly not to reflect on it, we have now completed that process,” she said.
“A lot of us have learnings from last season but, in saying that, we’re a new team and we’ve moved on completely from that”
Steel coach Reinga Bloxham said Heffernan was an asset on and off the court.
“It’s awesome for Kate to lead while having the support of Shannon, who has a wealth of experience,” she said.
“Kate has developed into an excellent leader who is able to share her thoughts and ideas with clarity. She has strong relationships within the team, and we know she will put her own spin on how she leads.”
The Steel play some games in Gore this weekend against a men’s invitational team and the Southern Blast squad as preparation for the pre-season tournament in Dunedin from March 22-24.