Silver Ferns shooter Jodi Brown spearheads a group of experienced signings announced by the Southern Steel yesterday.
Brown, midcourters Wendy Frew, Phillipa Finch and Shannon Francois and defender Rachel Rasmussen join Jamaican shooting sensation Jhaniele Fowler on the roster to contest the 2014 ANZ Championship.
''When I reflect on what we achieved this season, I'm really excited about the opportunity to continue on this journey we've started as a team,'' Brown said.
''Our focus has always been to keep the core of our team intact because it takes time to build a championship-winning unit.
''We added some new dynamics this year, particularly with Jhaniele, and we will continue to cement our connections throughout the court with another season together.''
The Steel achieved its goal of a top-six finish in the transtasman league this season and five players - Brown, Finch, Francois, Rasmussen and midcourter Courtney Tairi - earned a Silver Ferns trial.
Brown and Tairi were yesterday named in the Silver Ferns, while Francois earned a spot in the national accelerant squad, alongside Steel shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Fowler secured a trifecta of awards in her debut season, including the overall ANZ Championship MVP, best new talent and the goal shoot bib in the all-star team.
Frew, who enters her 12th season representing a southern franchise, is confident the Ascot Park Hotel-sponsored Steel will be a competitive force next year.
''When you are competing at this level, those invisible links on court are vital and they only appear after time together,'' Frew said.
''Stability in a team is extremely important and I believe we have that going forward.''
Steel chief executive Sue Clarke believes the squad is shaping nicely for 2014.
''When key players seek to return it's an excellent indication we are succeeding in our quest to build a strong culture within our franchise - a culture based on professionalism, values and performance,'' Clarke said.
''It's something that takes consistency and commitment from everyone across all facets of our organisation.
''We have a clear vision for the future and each of our players and wider management team has a key role to play in achieving it.''
Clarke said the remainder of the squad was nearing completion and more announcements were expected next week.
