With the ANZ Premiership celebrating Heritage Round this weekend – we caught up with Robinhood Stars foundation players Maia Wilson and Holly Fowler who were involved in the Stars’ debut season in 2017 and continue to play a key role on the court in 2023. They took time to reflect on their journey in the purple dress.
Maia Wilson:
What are your memories from your first season with the Stars in 2017?
“It was a really fresh faced group, there were girls returning to Auckland like myself and it was our first time training in the heart of South Auckland out of Papakura and we were sort of a bunch of misfits who got chucked together and were hoping to make something good. Everything was new, we knew we were representing the South Auckland region, but we didn’t necessarily know who our people were. I remember we played at what used to be called Vodafone Events Centre and it was such a nice intimate crowd. We had an Australian coach and for somone like myself who had never experienced having someone like Julie Hoornweg around, it was quite exciting. It was definitely a start up year and we were trying to find our feet and now be seven seasons in, I feel like we’re really starting to build a brand who are confident in who we are as women and mana wāhine and we’re starting to create some amazing netball that people want to come and watch. We are clear on who our community are and who we represent and we like to get out into the community. I feel like our transition has been a nice build.”
How would you describe the development of the Stars since season one?
“I feel like the Stars culture as a team and brand has evolved. We had to find our feet, because we were given these ideas and weren’t really sure if they resonated with us and to now see the evolvement of being strong representatives of our community, representing netball and reflecting all aspects of our community is great. Whānau has been the thing that has kept us all together. I think as a playing group that’s what we brought to our fans. That’s part of the reason I think people come to our games, because they’re part of our Stars whānau and feel like they’re part of the purple army and can connect with us. Looking forward, if we’re to have the legacy that I would like, then whānau is always first. No matter whether it’s by blood or choice, we welcome you in with open arms and want to create an environment and atmosphere where people feel valued and want to be a part of.”
What is the best thing about being a Stars player?
“One of the things I’m most proud of and what I’ve been able to have a strong hand on is that everything goes back to whānau and the bond and connections we have with each other, Everyone talks about us being sisters, but we are whānau through thick and thin. Sometimes we have some really uncomfortable and tough performance conversations, but it’s because we have so much respect, love and care for eachother as a group, management and franchise. On the flipside of that, it’s about how we integrate our fans, volunteers and wider part of the Stars whānau who I hope feel that love and they see how much their support means to us. They in some ways know a piece of us and that’s the legacy I want around being present and representing our community.”
How important is it to reflect on the past during heritage round?
“We’ve now had quite a few people wearing the purple dress which is exciting. People have come to us and have returned home after having a good crack with other franchises and been able to perform in front of their whānau. There are people who have been given their debut and the opportunity to be on the ANZ Premiership stage and thrive and there have also been people who have accepted the SOS and may have never thought they’d be a Star, but we’ve welcomed them with warm arms and created some amazing milestones. I pay homage to the 2017 group, the likes of Leana de Bruin, Kayla Johnson, Temepara Bailey and then people like Dee Leggat who was a longstanding manager, Sharon Choie was our physio and even Kiri who is still coaching and has been here since year two. People like them and myself and Holly have held the fort down and helped build what I think is the best product and best group who now have the best chance to win a championship this year which is exciting.”
How cool has it been to share your netball journey with Holly?
“One of my proudest moments is being able to have many milestones with Holly. She is my best mate and has been since we were around 13 years old and not many people get to work with their mates in everyday life. I feel privileged and honoured to have that opportunity with her. Nobody else has a bond like we have and I like to think she’s a piece of my home that is always around, so how exciting to continue this and long may it last.”
Holly Fowler:
What do you remember about your first season with the Stars in 2017?
“It was just such a new club. I remember it took us a while to find things like a home court and a gym and things like that. It was quite a fun process. When we had Julie Hoornweg come in as coach, she was very adamant on us creating a culture that would be solidified and last for the entirety of the Stars franchise, which I think we really did. We were huge on family and making the team feel like it was just a second home for us with the amount of time we spent together. I think that was the most heartwarming thing and that culture’s still here today.”
How did it feel to return to the Stars after having two seasons away at the Magic?
“It definitely felt like I was coming back home after my two year stint away with the Magic. I built a great relationship with the club and the people there. It was so nice to come back and see the club had remained the same. All of us girls are big on family and it was really awesome that it’s still instilled in the club today.”
How would you describe the development of the Stars since season one?
“I think we’ve grown a lot as a club. Our first year we were treated as the new kid on the block and we did struggle for the first three years to try and not get the wooden spoon, once we found our feet as a franchise we’ve really cemented ourselves as a team to beat.”
How important has it been to have a team representing the South Auckland region?
“It’s awesome to have the South Auckland region backing us. I think early on when the franchise was being made, we wanted to identify with the South Auckland region and we got to do a lot of promotions out that way and connect with the fans which was really heartwarming for us and a way to give back to the community and kids who want to play netball, which is amazing. In return we’ve got this amazing fan base who support us through thick and thin.”
How have on court expectations changed since season one?
“I think at the start because it was so new and combos were new, we wanted to do well, but it just wasn’t working early on. As time has progressed, we’ve held an extremely high standard for ourselves and other players. We know what we can achieve and we know we’re right up there to be competing and winning the ANZ Premiership. It’s about pushing each other week in and week out because we want to be better and getting the results we know we deserve and have worked hard for.”
What is the best part about playing for the Stars?
“It’s just like a second family and you can’t ask for anything more than that. You spend pretty much every day of the week with the team and it’s great to have a family environment where we all get on, but can have tough conversations together and come to a resolution and know everything in the team is coming from a place of love.”
How important is it to use heritage round to reflect on those who have been involved with the Stars since day one?
“I don’t think we really reflect on how young the club is and what people have done for the club to get it to where it is, until you have these conversations and we have heritage round. We have been so fortunate to have so many people and players come into the club and contribute to making the club what it is today. So many people have come and gone and left the club in a much better place and that’s such and amazing thing for us as a newer franchise.”
