Olivia Bates is a fine sportswoman in her own right.
She is nimble on her feet. Her court craft is superb. She makes passes others can only dream of making and she flourishes under pressure.
The 22-year-old Otago goal attack has helped win two national under-21 titles and last year helped the province bring a 14-drought to an end by contributing to Otago's 59-57 win against Waikato in the final of the national championships.
Of course, all anyone ever wants to know is if she is related to dual cricket and basketball international Suzie Bates.
It is not always easy being Super Suzie's sister. Part of the reason the talented sportswoman stuck with netball was to avoid constant comparisons with her sister.
''It was hard, I guess, especially through school,'' Bates said.
''Everyone would say, 'Oh, you're Suzie Bates' sister' and things like that.
''I've always supported her and been to all her games. But I think I chose netball because it was one sport she never really played.''
The basketball hoop in the courtyard of the family home also doubled as a cricket pitch and saw plenty of action. But with Olivia four years Suzie's junior, her role was mostly to assist her big sister.
''We've always done a bit of shooting and I used to help her while she was practising her shots.''
All those countless hours spent passing the ball to Suzie obviously paid off. Passing is one of the strongest elements of her game. And with Te Paea Selby-Rickit entrenched in the goal shoot position, her first-class distribution skills have been a real asset to Otago.
Bates shared court time with fellow goal attack Kate Shearer last year and the pair are likely to be utilised in a similar fashion this season.
They play the game so differently. Shearer is speedier and puts up more shots and is really the perfect foil for Bates.
Otago coach Lauren Piebenga has the luxury of picking between two very different strategies and that keeps the opposition defence guessing.
Bates works as a netball development officer for Netball South. She is based in Central Otago but has abandoned her flat in Alexandra for the time being to set up camp in Dunedin.
Preparations for the nationals have stepped up and she felt she needed to be close by.
Her job is to go around the schools promoting the sport and running programmes. She has been in the role since January and really enjoys it.
Her attention, though, is firmly fixed on Otago's defence. She is part of a core group of players who have enjoyed much success in the past two years and they are hoping that will continue.
''We've got the same core of girls in the team again this year, so hopefully we can get that title again.''
Otago had a warm-up game against Canterbury in Timaru on the weekend and lost by eight goals. It was a reminder to the squad how difficult it will be to win the title again, Bates said.
''They've got a very strong team and they are going to be our toughest opposition. But we were in the game the whole way until the last quarter. Hopefully, that won't happen next week when we play them.''
Otago opens its campaign on Monday with a game against North Harbour in the morning and Wellington in the evening.
The derby against Canterbury is on Tuesday but Wednesday should be easier going, with games against Otago B and Counties Manukau.
Otago captain Shannon Francois was called into the Silver Ferns squad earlier this week and will be unavailable. Otago B player Harriet Arbuckle takes Francois' spot and Gina Crampton will assume the captaincy.
