The team’s 2018 ANZ Premiership title defence will be Frew’s fifth in charge of the team and her 16th running out for a southern-based franchise.
Fellow midcourter Gina Crampton will assist Frew in leading the team after being named the Steel’s vice-captain.
Frew is excited about teaming up with Crampton.
‘‘There is a lot of responsibility with being captain and vice-captain in terms of driving the team’s values and performance,’’ she said.
‘‘I think we will work really well together and I’m excited about the partnership.’’
Crampton was eager to embrace the leadership challenge.
‘‘It’s a massive privilege to be asked. There will be a lot of growth for me and that’s exciting in itself,’’ she said.
Crampton’s selection as vice-captain caps her progression through the Steel ranks from a fresh-faced rookie in 2013 to being a team leader this year.
‘‘It’s interesting being on the other side because we were so young when we came into the team. It is pretty scary and it can be overwhelming,’’ she said.
Crampton plans on implementing an upbeat style of leadership.
‘‘With my leadership style I try to be really encouraging to everyone and keep the fun and enjoyment going.’’
It is a style that has worked in the past for Crampton, who has led Otago to national provincial titles.
The ANZ Premiership-winning Steel will test its wares in two exhibition matches against last year’s Australian premiership-winning side the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
The two champion teams play at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre on Thursday night and Invercargill’s Stadium Southland on Friday.
‘‘It’s champion versus champion which I’m super excited about. It’s going to be awesome to have a really tough hit-out,’’ Crampton said.
‘‘It’s going to be new for us because we haven’t played against that Aussie style for a long time but it’s great because we are going to have to adapt which is an added challenge.’’
‘‘It will be pressure that we haven’t been put under for quite a while.’’
Frew said the matches were vital in the Steel cementing new combinations.
‘‘Game time is vital. We’ve added some new players in key positions this season and it’s not a quick fix — there’s a lot of work that needs to go in before the season and every game we have will build those connections even more.’’
