Steel pulls off coup landing Tactix midcourter

“With next year being a unique season, I thought, why not? Go challenge myself, get out of comfort zone, refresh and experience a different environment with different players and coaching staff."

Midcourter Kimiora Poi has signed with the Southern Steel.

In an unexpected coup, the Southern Steel has landed the signature of dynamic Tactix midcourter Kimiora Poi for 2025.

Poi has been an integral member of the Tactix for seven years, captaining the team in recent seasons, and has earned an impressive array of international assignments, including the Silver Ferns, New Zealand A, the World Series title-winning FAST5 Ferns and the 2017 World Youth Cup champion NZU21 team.

“I’m feeling a mixture of emotions to be honest and I feel like it won’t really sink in until I fully move down south. I’m a bit nervous but also excited about the new opportunity and getting out of my comfort zone a little,” she said.

“This wasn’t an easy decision at all for obvious reasons. I have spent the last seven years making Christchurch and the Tactix environment my home away from home. I’ve been very fortunate to have been surrounded and supported by some amazing players, coaches and wider support staff over the years which I’m incredibly grateful for.

“However, I’ve gotten to a stage where l am comfortable in my environment. I didn’t want to get to the end of my career and think back and have the ‘what if’ thought of never having experienced something different.

“With next year being a unique season, I thought, why not? Go challenge myself, get out of comfort zone, refresh and experience a different environment with different players and coaching staff.

“Change is good sometimes which excites me. But I will miss the Tactix and will always be grateful for the opportunities they have given me to grow as a person and athlete.”

Poi will add valuable leadership experience into the mix at Steel.

“I’d hope I’m able to bring a bit of new energy, fun and experience to the environment. I have pretty high standards and expectations of myself so on court hopefully I can help drive the intensity and keep the standards high. Off-court, I’m just wanting to get to know everyone and how everything works down there, and just enjoy it,” she said.

After a challenging couple of years for the southern franchise on the scoreboard, Poi was keen to help influence a change in fortunes.

“I think if we build a good foundation and connections both on and off the court in preseason, along with some quality trainings that put us under pressure, that will be a good start. Also, making sure we keep the balance and have a bit of fun too.”

She was eager to switch into Steel colours in front of the parochial southern fans at ILT Stadium Southland.

“As an opposition player playing in Invercargill, it can be a bit intimidating sometimes with how loud they can get. But now being in the home team, I’m looking forward to putting some good netball out there so they can do their thing, and cheer loud for us and get us over the line,” Poi said.

It’s a prospect which excites newly-appointed Steel head coach Wendy Frew.

“Kimiora ignites play and creates opportunities. When you have someone of her calibre in the mix, everyone is fuelled by that energy and it will be fantastic to add her skills to our roster,” she said.

“She has a lot of attacking flair and backs that up with some strong defence for crucial intercepts. Her work rate is exceptional on the court and I’m excited to have her as part of the Steel.”

Steel chief executive Sonya Fleming confirmed player contracting was progressing strongly.

“This is always an intense time for franchises as we all strive to attract the right mix of new and returning players to complete our rosters,” she said.

“The addition of Kimiora is fantastic news to kick off our recruitment and we look forward to announcing the remainder of our 2025 Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel team as contracts continue to be finalised.”