Super Netball 2024: NSW Swifts linked to former New Zealand star Elle Temu as training partner
The NSW Swifts made one of the recruiting moves of the season last year after handing Romelda Aiken George a career lifeline - could they be about to do the same for a New Zealand star?
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They made one of the moves of the season last year with their signing of Romelda Aiken George and the NSW Swifts seem set to snare another international for 2024, with New Zealand defender Elle Temu understood to have been sounded out about a role as a training partner.
Temu, who made her debut for the Silver Ferns last year, has moved to Sydney to live with partner and Wests Tigers NRL star Isaiah Papali’i, putting on hold - in the short-term at least - her representative career with the Ferns.
Under Netball New Zealand policy, to be eligible for selection in the Silver Ferns, players must be signed with an ANZ Premiership team.
But Temu has spent little time with her high school sweetheart over the past several years, due to both pursuing their elite sporting careers and Covid lockdowns which forced the former Warriors player into a hub in Australia while borders were shut.
“It has been a tough few years where our sporting commitments have meant we are rarely in the same place at the same time,” she said earlier this year after announcing she would not re-sign with an ANZ Premiership side for 2024.
“This is my opportunity to take some time out and join Isaiah in Australia.”
Netball will still remain a focus for Temu though, who was initially linked to the Giants, having trained with the club in the past during off-season stints in Australia.
The departure of Giants defender Lauren Moore for the Mavericks, had some linking Temu - who turned out for New Zealand in the Fast5 World Series in Christchurch last weekend - with the Sydney club.
But looking for height in the goal circle, coach Julie Fitzgerald has plumped for 189cm former training partner Erin O’Brien for the final full-time contract spot.
There has been interest for Temu from outside NSW but the motivation for the 25-year-old’s move was to be with Papali’i and the pair is determined to live together after spending the past several seasons on opposite sides of the Tasman.
It’s understood the Swifts sounded her out after learning of her desire to be based in Sydney and it’s likely she will link with the club as a training partner once Super Netball contracting can finally begin.
The signing of Aiken George was a masterstroke from Swifts coach Briony Akle last season, with the Jamaican international leading the team to the grand final after being elevated to the main squad with fellow Caribbean goaler Sam Wallace still recovering from a knee injury.
One of the legends of the game, Aiken George took a gamble in linking with the Swifts, shifting states with a new baby - the move paying off in spades as she rediscovered both form and her love of the game after a messy split with the Firebirds.
Temu is no insurance policy.
The Swifts will replicate their 2023 defensive end in 2024, with Diamonds World Cup star Sarah Klau, former Diamond Maddy Turner and rising star Teigan O’Shannassy - who was a member of Australia’s successful Fast5 World Series side - all set to sign full-time contracts when the pay stoush between Netball Australia and the Australian Netball Players Association finally ends.
Temu’s role then will be in creating a dynamic training environment for last season’s grand finalists in what is likely to be a mutually beneficial move.
It gives the Swifts an outstanding option should any of their players be unavailable due to injury or illness while allowing Temu to train against international shooters Helen Housby and Sam Wallace as well as rising star Sophie Fawns.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua wished Temu well when she announced her move earlier this year and said she would remain in contact with the defender.
“Elle is still very young in her netball career and has shown the heights she can reach having made her Silver Ferns debut last year,” Taurua said.
“We understand the commitment that our elite athletes make year after year, and it is important for us to support their life choices outside of netball as well.
“I certainly believe we haven’t seen the last of Elle in the black dress, but we wish her well for this next chapter away from the netball court.”
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Originally published as Super Netball 2024: NSW Swifts linked to former New Zealand star Elle Temu as training partner