Returning Steel midcourter Gina Crampton said the franchise has "unfinished business" after she and two other key players from this year’s campaign confirmed they would be back next year.
Crampton, Shannon Francois and Te Paea Selby-Rickit all announced yesterday they would return to the franchise for another season, with this year’s ANZ Championship semifinal exit still fresh in their minds.
"There was no place I’d rather be," Crampton said.
"Looking back on it now, we had an amazing season with a great group of people, but it still feels like we have unfinished business. We did so well to get to where we did but it would be nice to go the whole way. I’m excited to see what we can do in this new competition."
Selby-Rickit, who made the transition from goal shoot to goal attack this year, will embark on her sixth campaign with the Steel next year.
"Those first couple of years, I was so young and was just there soaking up the knowledge without all the pressure to perform. Now it’s the real deal," she said.
"With another year under my belt at goal attack, I’m definitely feeling more confident there now and really enjoying it."
The three join captain Wendy Frew and Jamaican international Jhaniele Fowler-Reid in re-signing for next year as the Steel squad begins to take shape.
Netball South chief executive Lana Winders said she was thrilled to retain one of the leading attacking trios in the country.
"What’s most satisfying about this trio is that they have never played for another franchise. They began their careers in Dunedin and have thrived in our high performance environment originally driven by Janine Southby."
