Steel to consolidate as Frew returns for 2026

Harriet Millard

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel are taking a growth mentality into 2026 as Wendy Frew returns for her second season as head coach, joining a core group of retained players in the 10.

Credit: Southern Steel

Frew guided the Steel through a rollercoaster 2025 campaign that ended just two points shy of the finals, and said the lessons learned in her debut season will shape the year ahead.

“Having a year under my belt is a really good feeling. I know what it’s all about and the commitment it takes,” she said. “There were so, so many lessons which taught me a lot. I still need to learn so much – I’m very honest about that – but I am proud of the culture created, the values we set and how we lived by them, and the relationships I built. There is a lot to be positive about as we head into another campaign.”

The Steel showed flashes of quality late in the season, and Frew believes that with experience and familiarity, her side can push further up the table.

“With the two-round format, you can’t afford not to hit the ground running in this competition,” she said. “We need to be ready from game one to take those wins and earn our place in the title hunt.”

That task will be made easier by a settled playing group. The Steel have retained the majority of their 2025 squad, with only Australian newcomers Josie Bingham and Jess Milne joining the ranks. Returning players include fledgling Silver Fern defender Carys Stythe, who is notching up international caps in the UK at the time of writing.

“Our recruiting focus was to retain a good amount of the players and I’m very proud that I was able to do that,” Frew said. “It’s an exciting team and we would have grown from some of our tight losses in 2025.”

One significant change will come off the court, with assistant coach Liana Leota departing to join the Central Pulse to be closer to her children.

“La is a massive loss,” Frew said. “She did some amazing things here and I will be forever grateful for having her by my side in my rookie year given her knowledge and experience. But it also presents a fantastic opportunity for someone new to step in and have an influence at this level.”

After a season of fine margins, the Steel are sending a clear message — they’re ready to rise in 2026.