‘The one who got away’: Bundaberg-born Ameliaranne Ekenasio leads Kiwis to Constellation Cup win

When Ameliaranne Ekenasio lifts the Constellation Cup for the Kiwis on Wednesday night, plenty will be asking how the Australian under 21s representative got away.

She’s the one that got away.

When Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio lifts the Constellation Cup on Wednesday night, how many in Australian netball will be left wondering “what if”?

The Bundaberg-born Ameliaranne Wells represented Australia at U19 and U21 level and was a member of the Queensland Firebirds squad for several years without getting significant opportunity in the then trans-Tasman ANZ Championship.

New Zealand stars Grace Nweke (left) and captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio embrace after winning game three of the Constellation Cup against the Diamonds in Perth. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

The athletic goal attack with one of the purest shots in the sport considered giving the sport up until an unexpected call came from the Wellington-based Central Pulse where she qualified as a non-import player through her father’s heritage.

“I spent four years with the Queensland Firebirds, four years on the bench pretty much as well,” Ekenasio told the Bundaberg News-Mail in 2015 after winning a Silver Ferns call-up.

“When you’re in a team you do anything for the team, but it does get hard.

“You sit there for four years and you wonder what else you can do and it’s definitely hard to keep it up there when you’re giving everything and not getting too much back.”

Ameliaranne Ekenasio (nee Wells) during her days with the Queensland Firebirds in 2011. Picture: Jono Searle

Plenty has been made of the efforts of Ferns goal shooter Grace Nweke throughout the Constellation Cup – and rightly so.

The NSW Swifts-bound goaler is arguably the form shooter in world netball at the moment.

But Ekenasio has been just as crucial – both on and off court.

Question marks hung over the captain after the Ferns’ series loss to the England Roses just weeks ago but she’s been a leading light with her incredible workrate (44 centre pass receives and 27 second phase receives) and sparkling shooting form (44/50 at 88 per cent) across the series.

Just as importantly, Ekenasio has led some of the difficult conversations and uncomfortable reflections the Ferns had internally ahead of the Constellation Cup that has led to their turnaround.

Ekenasio has led some of the difficult conversations that the New Zealand Silver Ferns have had which have led to the series win over Australia. Picture: Dave Rowland/Getty Images

“It was a really tough time for us, we felt super frustrated as a group – we felt like we were not reaching our full potential at all, we were not even scratching that, so (there were) some tough conversations around what is it actually going to take to get us there.

“We were hitting it at training but it just wasn’t coming into games. So for us it was about getting really honest with each other but really it was about how much we can have each other’s backs and how much we can just back each other out there.

“It seems really simple but it honestly flicked the switch for us.”

Ekenasio said she “couldn’t be prouder” of her side.

“I actually am a bit stunned, I just can’t believe it but at the same time I can as well,” she said.

“The proudest I feel is that … we’re reaching our potential and I’m seeing what people are capable of and I’m seeing people be super comfortable in who they are and bringing it on court – and I’ve honestly never felt our team be so confident in the entire time I’ve played for the Silver Ferns.

“It’s a really big shift for us. We’re a humble country and team and that’s something that’s always there for us, so for us to put on a different mentality is a really big shift for us and something that I think we need to be able to win.”

Originally published as ‘The one who got away’: Bundaberg-born Ameliaranne Ekenasio leads Kiwis to Constellation Cup win