In a rare set of circumstances, Grace Southby claimed family bragging rights when celebrating a first-up win with her new team Central Manawa in the opening round of this year’s Synergy Hair Netball League (SHNL).
Recently relocating to Wellington from her home city of Dunedin, Southby had a double dose of nerves when squaring off not only against her old team, the Southern Blast, but also her mum Janine, the former Silver Ferns mentor, in the coaching seat and sister Ella in the opposing shooting circle for the season-opener.
After a jittery first half, Manawa roared into life to post a handy 51-39 win over the southerners to kick-start their campaign.
"I definitely was a bit nervous going into it. It was a bit of a weird one but I just tried to turn it into an exciting opportunity and get out on court and make the most of it," Southby said.
Having played all her club netball in Dunedin and four seasons with the Blast in the SHNL, including being a training partner with the Steel for one year during that time, Southby, 22, has made the move out of the Southern Zone to test the waters in Wellington.
"I came to Wellington for a bit of a change in my netball, to challenge myself and push myself outside of my comfort zone," she said. "It was about trying new opportunities, seeing how far I can go and what I've got in me.
"And I'm loving it. Everyone has been amazing since I moved here, super welcoming and I just love the clear calmness that the coaches bring. They just back you to play, which I love.
"I'm loving Wellington, it's a very cool city. It's pretty similar to Dunedin weather-wise but the people are really cool and that's what makes it all pretty awesome."
Southby spent time with sister team Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse during the pre-season, helping build her game and experience which she's looking to expand on during the SHNL.
After a mixed start in their opener, Manawa found their groove to come home strongly but with a short season of just one full round for the SHNL, which is a key pathway for players seeking higher honours, there is a sense of urgency from the get-go.
"It was really important to go out there and stamp our mark from Round 1," Southby said. "In saying that, really every game is a final in knowing there's no final at the end of it, so the intent is to win them all.
"We had a slowish start and it took us a bit to build into it to find our connections and flow, especially on attack. But proud that we could come out in the second half, put up a fight, really put our foot down and come away with a win.
"Against the Marvels next week in Auckland on Sunday, I think our connections are still a big one to work on. It was there in glimpses but now it's about how we do that consistently and how we come out at the start and put our foot down rather than waiting until halftime to then fight back into it."
Predominantly a goal attack who can slide into wing attack, the slightly-built Southby is a deft play-maker, her creative skills being put to good use against the usually bigger opponents she comes up against.
"I have to use lots of the tools in my toolkit to get free and when I'm in the circle just making sure that when I'm holding the front space that I'm really strong and solid in my base so I don't get knocked over," she said.
Having completed a Fashion and Marketing degree in Dunedin, Southby is thoroughly enjoying something of a gap year and the opportunity to explore her netball opportunities in a different environment.