Gauteng Golden Fireballs and SPAR Proteas defender Jeante Strydom is set to make her mark with the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in the upcoming 2024 ANZ Premiership season.
Strydom caught the attention of the coaching staff during their search for a player who could complement the strengths of Abby Erwood and Taneisha Fifita. Head Coach Reinga Bloxham noted, “Jeante completes our defensive line-up. When we were searching the globe, I knew we needed someone who could work with the strengths of Abby and Taneisha, who would add value to our team environment and who has a strong work ethic too. She is so excited about the opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing her shine here at the Steel.”
Strydom, who plays for the Fireballs in the Telkom Netball League and recently earned a spot in the South African team for the Netball World Cup, expressed her eagerness to join the team in New Zealand. She highlighted the Steel’s positive team culture and her ability to focus solely on netball, given the professional nature of the sport in New Zealand.
The 26-year-old defender aims to make an impact by helping her team win games through her defensive skills and ability to force errors. Strydom emphasized her hard work ethic and the importance of leading by example, motivating her teammates through action and pushing them to train harder.
Having previously played for the Bond Bull Sharks in Australia, Strydom looks forward to broadening her playing style and countering opponents with different strategies. While her immediate focus is on representing her country at the Netball World Cup, she is excited about the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd.
The Southern Steel’s CEO, Sonya Fleming, confirmed that the team was able to recruit Jeante Strydom as a second international player, thanks to George Fisher’s eligibility under the competition’s rules. Fisher, who has been living in New Zealand for the past two years, met the necessary criteria.
As the Steel prepares for the upcoming season, they also plan to benefit from the netball expertise of Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, who will transition to a specialist coaching role in 2024. Selby-Rickit expressed her enthusiasm for the new challenge, looking forward to contributing to player development in a different capacity.
The Southern Steel’s 2024 team roster includes the following players: Ivari Christie, Abby Erwood, Taneisha Fifita, George Fisher, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Heffernan, Grace Namana, Renee Savai’inaea, Shannon Saunders, and Jeante Strydom.
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