Netball’s Shannon Saunders – here if you need

‘Here if you need’ – it’s a reassuring phrase that all netballers know well; four simple words that mean your team-mate has got your back on court.

Southern Steel captain Shannon Saunders is the ultimate embodiment of that – always available for a pass when no other options are coming, always taking care to deliver quality ball into her shooters.

Saunders is set to bring up her 150th national league game against the Mystics this Sunday becoming just the 15th player to achieve the milestone and it’s fitting that she’ll get to do it in front of a home crowd.

Shannon Saunders of the Southern Steel.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Steel stalwart will become just the third player to reach 150 games for the same club, joining former Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic captain Casey Kopua and former Steel captain Wendy Frew.

The athletic midcourter never imagined she would come this far.

“I never even dreamed that I’d play one game …I’m really kind of proud that I was able to do it and I take massive pride in always being really fit and prepared and staying in good nick so I’m glad that I’ve been able to do 150,” Saunders said.

Saunders was on track to bring up the 150 on Monday against the Pulse in Wellington, but an earlier postponement means she will get to do that at Stadium Southland in Invercargill.

And with the country moving to the orange traffic light Covid setting Steel fans will be able to pack the stadium to see her do it.

A sporty youngster, Saunders admits she didn’t naturally excel on the court.

“It was a challenge and I feel it’s not something that came as naturally to me as other sports I’ve played,” she said.

“But it was just so much fun and, as I moved through the grades, it actually became a realistic career option when it turned semi-professional. I just love the competitiveness and the challenge of it because every game is different and you’re always having to learn and adapt.”

The Silver Fern credits hard work for her success.

“Always making sure I’m available, fit and well. I think always being able to be coachable too and able to learn and adapt and grow your game and not kind of just rely on that flair and talent because that’s probably something I don’t have naturally.”

The 31- year-old has also come this far without any major injuries, something rarely seen now and said she put a lot of effort into prehabilitiation.

Saunders said the amazing people she had played with and the local community meant she had never been tempted to play for another franchise.

“When people ask what I love about being down south, it’s the people and the community and how lovely everyone is and how they get behind their netball team. So that’s definitely the number one reason.”

Talking a big game is not Saunders’ style – she leads by her actions and says she’s still getting used to captaincy.

“It’s definitely something I find quite challenging so I think it’s good to kind of make myself a bit uncomfortable esp later on in my career and it keeps me on my toes a bit.”

Steel vice captain Shannon Saunders and Captain Wendy Frew after winning the 2017 Super Club Netball Final.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

As for how long Saunders will keep going, she’s taking it year by year and said she enjoyed the energy that she got from young team-mates.

A product of Motueka High School, near Nelson, Saunders’ netball career gained traction when she found her niche with a young Southern Steel team in 2012.

Former Steel captain Wendy Frew said Saunders was an athlete from the first day she met her.

“She’s always been that athlete who just trained the house down, she was always so fit, fast and strong,” Frew said.

“As a player she’s just got better every year and she’s an inspiration to be around, she’s really good for the young ones to see what that training environment is like and how hard they need to push themselves.

“Also off the court she’s just a character, she’s always got you in fits laughing.”

Saunders could be described as a no frills player but Frew said if you tracked her movement on court for a few minutes, you would be blown away by what she can do.

“Especially in that wing attack role she’s so strong off the line she has all those short sharp movements. If she’s not getting first phase she’ll drive deep into that pocket for the second phase and read what’s around her.

“She’s a player who just grinds away a really consistent performance and puts in a big 60 minutes every game she plays.”

Saunders demonstrated that when she was a vital cog in the Steel’s stunning extra time win over the Pulse on Monday after an 11-goal comeback.

More than an impact player

With 85 Test caps Saunders is by far the most experienced member of the current Silver Ferns’ squad after debuting in 2013, an achievement she could never have imagined.

“That’s quite unexpected, we’ve got lots of girls coming through but I just try and lead by my actions every time I get out on court, try and make an impact,” Saunders said.

“I always try to be one of the hardest workers in the room and make sure that I’m always fit, ready and prepared whenever I’m needed.”

In 2018 she was dropped after the side failed to medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games but later won her spot back for the 2019 Netball World Cup triumph in Liverpool.

Despite wracking up 85 Tests she’s only started in 58 of those, with Silver Ferns’ coaches using her a lot off the bench.

Netball World Cup – New Zealand v Barbados – Shannon Saunders.
Photo: Allan McKenzie / SWPix.com / photosport

There was a period when she started at centre, which allowed Silver Ferns’ legend Laura Langman to drop to wing defence and she continued there when Langman was ruled ineligible in 2017.

Saunders was seen as the heir apparent in that position, but trying to fill the hole Langman left is still a challenge the Ferns’ are grappling with.

Coach Dame Noeline Taurua has tried six different players in the centre position since Langman played her last Test at the end of 2019.

Saunders best career moments for the Silver Ferns came at the 2019 World Cup, when she came on at wing attack for Gina Crampton and that’s been her main role since.

“It’s interesting the whole Ferns environment for Shannon. I would love to see her in at centre, with Crampton at wing attack, that would be my personal view on that,” Frew said.

“It seems the last couple of years she is kind of like an impact player and she’s come off the bench and really been remarkable on the court in some crucial games.

“But for Shannon I know she would want to be in that starting line up so she’ll be gunning for that.”

Shannon Saunders of New Zealand 2022 Quad Series.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Frew said despite not being able to cement a starting position, coaches obviously valued Saunders on and off the court.

“In that black dress that’s a huge amount of caps and I think the Ferns’ coaching team know what she can do. I guess for her it’s about now trying to get rid of that tag of being an impact player and really cement that starting line-up in that centre or wing attack position.

“In saying that the Ferns’ midcourt is the strength of the squad at the moment and there are going to be some huge selection calls to be made ahead of this year’s Commonwealth Games.”

Frew said Saunders worked hard behind closed doors to keep her fitness levels up and was always game ready.

“That’s a real key strength of hers that speed and fitness and I guess for her she just needs to keep pushing to make sure she’s nailing all those crucial moments in games. And making sure she’s being a really good leader out there, which she does really well.”

One thing the Silver Ferns’ coaches can rely on is that whatever role they ask of Saunders – she will be there if they need.

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