The likes of Lesley Rumball, Anna Stanley, Adine Wilson and Belinda Colling all donned the blue and gold and had outstanding international careers.
That great tradition is set to continue with Otago teams expected to be among the frontrunners when the New Zealand age group championships get under way in Dunedin on Monday.
Otago Under-21, in particular, is highly rated, the bulk of the team having represented the province in the Lois Muir Challenge earlier this year.
Coach Lauren Piebenga has some talented players at her disposal, including Southern Steel midcourter Hayley Saunders.
Saunders made two appearances for the Steel from the bench this season and is a speedy player with good defensive qualities.
Her combination with New Zealand Under-21 goal keep Jess Moulds promises to be an area of strength for the home side.
Otago also has plenty of strikepower, with promising shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Greir Campbell carrying the scoring responsibilities.
Selby-Rickit was called into the Steel squad when first-choice shooter Daneka Wipiiti injured her ankle.
While she did not get a run, she is highly thought of within netball circles and is a name to watch.
Her older sister, impressive Steel defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, is playing for Southland and the siblings will probably mark each other when the teams meet on Tuesday.
Otago opens its campaign against Counties Manukau on Monday morning and plays Wellington in the evening.
Day two ushers in stronger competition, with games against Western and Southland.
"We hope to make the top four. That's our first goal," Piebenga said.
"We're in a tough pool . . . but there are no easy draws in this competition.
"We just have to make sure we do the basics right and take our opportunities when they come."
Western defeated Waikato 69-54 in the final last year and also won the Lois Muir Challenge this season.
Southland also looks impressive.
Otago will probably need to win three of its four section A matches to make the semifinals.
In section B, Waikato, Auckland Waitakere, North and Canterbury will jostle for semifinal places.
Otago has entered two teams in the under-19 grade, with Otago Gold expected to do well.
The under-19 grade is split into four sections, with 15 teams competing for the title.
Auckland Waitakere beat Southland 31-28 in the final last year.
Age group netball
National tournament
Venue: Edgar Centre, Dunedin
When: Monday to Thursday
Teams: Nine under-21, 15 under-19
