Interest in Steel assistant coach role heats up

Applications for the Southern Steel assistant coach's position have finally started to pick up after a slow initial response.

This time a week ago, Steel chief executive Julie Paterson had received only one application on her desk, but she said there had been much more interest during the past seven days.

Paterson did not want to disclose numbers, but said they had received "a good range of applications".

She expected there to be a few late applications today, with the deadline being 5pm.

The quality of applicants had been pleasing so far, she said, with most coming from the Otago-Southland region.

Esteemed netball coach Margaret Foster was Steel's assistant coach this year alongside head coach Robyn Broughton, but she decided not to return for another stint next year. Paterson said it had been a mutal decision, with Foster agreeing that the assistant coaching role was not really for her.

The Steel assistant coaching position for next year will mainly be a development role for someone who has aspirations to one day coach Steel. Paterson said they were looking for someone with strong experience in lower-level coaching.

Steel hope to make an announcement on the new assistant coach by early February.

Meanwhile, Steel's membership vouchers sales have been selling quickly since going on sale on December 1.

Steel marketing and sponsorship manager Melanie Luke said as of the start of this week they had sold 129 vouchers from H&J Smith, including 10 new members. Nine new membership vouchers had also been sold from Stadium Southland.

The vouchers can be redeemed by the recipient for gold or platinum membership for next season. Then, from January 25, people can exchange their vouchers and secure their seat for Steel home matches in next year's trans-Tasman competition.

Luke said she was delighted with the response so far and said sales should increase even more as Christmas approaches.

Fans can still buy their vouchers in the new year.

- © Fairfax NZ News