The squad will cross the Tasman tomorrow for a series of games in preparation for its opening ANZ Championship match next month.
It will play eight warm-up matches during the three-day tournament, which includes New Zealand and Australian franchises.
Steel coach Robyn Broughton said it was a good opportunity not only to see what the other sides have to offer, but to see how her players reacted under pressure.
‘‘It is the first time they are really going to have to stand up and be counted,'' Broughton said, adding the Steel looked sharp last weekend and was starting to gel as a unit.
‘‘I was really pleased with last weekend. They played really well and they had some good work outs against the Otago Men and the Southland Men.
‘‘I can honestly say, I've seen huge strides and feel really happy with them. I feel like the effort has gone in and the intensity is there.''
Broughton has opted to appoint co-captains with veteran mid-courter Jenny-May Coffin and tough-as-teak defender Megan Hutton sharing the role. With the increased media demands of the new competition Broughton felt it was appropriate to divide the responsibility.
‘‘There will be a lot more media demands now and rather than name a vice captain we've decided to name co-captains.''
While Broughton has taken measures to reduce the impact of increased media interest, including hiring some professionals to provide media training, the shrewd coach does not believe it will distract the players from their primary role of winning netball games.
If anything, Broughton believes the increased exposure will be good for the players.
‘‘Obviously when you are in a professional competition there are going to be increased media demands. But I'm really thinking this will help the players and women in sport. It will give us the role models and the images out there every week, not just now and then.''
Hutton will miss the tournament and could miss the first match if her Super League side makes the final of the franchise-based competition in England.
‘‘Megan is obviously a very good player and very much in the picture . . . but we've assumed she won't be there for the first game.''
