Still plenty of seats available for Steel game

BY NATHAN BURDON

The early start to the trans-Tasman netball competition might be catching a few fans out, according to Southern Steel chief executive Julie Paterson.

Days out from Steel's opening game against West Coast Fever at Stadium Southland there are still "several hundred" seats available.

"Tickets have been a bit slow," Paterson said.

"I kind of feel that people are in summer mode.

"We've still got the final of the local cricket and all that sort of carry-on. People have still got their heads in summer sports."

The trans-Tasman competition, which is in its third year, has been brought forward two weeks to accommodate preparation for the Commonwealth Games in India, where the Silver Ferns will be defending the gold medal they won four years ago.

Steel take on Fever at Stadium Southland from 6.50pm on Sunday.

Paterson said West Coast Fever would present a real challenge for Steel first up.

"The Fever are going to be great opposition. I believe they are the future of Australian netball. They've got some pretty classy players in there – young, but they are the players from the Australian under-21 team."

Steel is the only New Zealand franchise that has not lost a game to an Australian team at home since the league started in 2008.

"We really want to keep that record intact."

Steel also play the Melbourne Vixens in Dunedin, a stadium where they are yet to taste defeat, and the highly touted Queensland Firebirds at Stadium Southland this season.

"Everyone has come to expect the full package when they come to watch the netball – a great game and some great entertainment – and none of that has changed.

"The (team) have been in today they are just chafing at the bit."

Tickets are available from Stadium Southland.

Keep reading The Southland Times this week as we build up to Steel's third season in the trans-Tasman competition.

We'll have a team poster and draw, bios on all the players, analysis of the other teams and a special interview with Steel midcourt maestros Wendy Frew and Liana Barrett-Chase.

Also, if you think you know more about the game than our netball writer Brendon Egan, see how you go at beating him in a virtual tipping league.

Go to virtualnetball.jimungo.com and add CantyKing as your friend.

* We have five double passes to give away to watch the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel take on the West Coast Fever, on Sunday night at Stadium Southland.

To go in the draw simply text "Steel" followed by your name through to 4554 or email your name to us at marketing@stl.co.nz. Entries close at 9pm today. Texts cost 20c.

- © Fairfax NZ News