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The Southern Steel are continuing their fight to sign an overseas player for next year's transtasman league after appealing against Netball New Zealand's decision to deny a second application for an import.
Earlier this month, the national body blocked an application from the Steel to allow Australian shooter Megan Dehn, who played for the Southern franchise this season, to rejoin the team next year.
Dehn was then picked up by Queensland Firebirds coach Vicki Wilson, and the Steel were given an extra 20 working days to fill the final spot on their roster.
Although Steel missed out on Dehn, they still believed they had a strong case to sign an overseas player and asked Netball New Zealand for permission to sign a different Australian player - possibly shooter Natalie Avellino.
But their second application was also denied - a decision the Steel are in the process of appealing.
Steel chief executive Julie Paterson said the franchise had lodged an appeal to the competition's eligibility committee and were waiting to hear back as to what shape the appeals process would take.
With the appeal under way, Paterson admits it is unlikely she will be able to confirm the Steel's 12th player before the final cut-off on Monday. Paterson was unwilling to discuss the basis of their appeal, but it is understood the Southern franchise feel aggrieved that they have not been allowed to sign an ineligible player when the four other New Zealand franchises have.
The Canterbury Tactix have lured English star Sonia Mkoloma down South, Jamaican defender Althea Byfield is expected to turn out for the Central Pulse next season, while the Northern Mystics have secured the services of Vilimaina Davu, who was signed as their one allowable ineligible player, and English shooter Pamela Cookey.
Even the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, who are stacked with Silver Ferns, were able to sign an ineligible player, with New Zealand-born Samoan captain Frances Solia set to join the franchise next season.
However, there was little Netball NZ could do to block the former Pulse midcourter from joining the Magic as Solia met the criteria of being a New Zealand citizen.
Netball NZ chief executive Raelene Castle was unavailable to comment on the Steel's application yesterday, but she has previously stressed the importance of protecting the development pathways for young New Zealand players.
The Steels' cause won't be helped by the fact that the Silver Ferns are suffering from a chronic lack of depth in the shooting circle and Netball NZ will be keen to ensure up and coming players are given as many opportunities as possible.
But with there being no guarantees former Silver Fern Donna Wilkins, who is due to give birth to her first child any day now, will be fully fit for the beginning of next season, the Steel are expected to argue they need an experienced shooter as cover.
Inelegible players criteria:
* Each franchise has the right to contract one ineligible player who is a New Zealand citizen (ie, a player who lives in NZ but has represented another country at the world champs)
* If a franchise wants to contract another ineligible player (either a NZ citizen or an overseas player) it must apply for approval to do so.
