George Fisher is ready to fly to New Zealand for Southern Steel move after visa | Netball News

The visa application process began in October last year, and now the England hunter will have the opportunity to join her new club before the start of the ANZ Premier League season; Southern Steel’s opening game is on April 18 against the Tactix

George Fisher of New Zealand’s visa application has been accepted and she will be able to join the ANZ Southern Premiumhip.

The bidding process began in October last year and after receiving the approval, Steel CEO Lana Winders marked the rise and fall of the process.

“There was dancing and singing in the office when the agreement came through, and that’s just me,” Winders said on the Steel website.

“Then I called Reinga [Bloxham] and the rejoicing continued. It’s just a huge relief from our shoulders for the team, for the hard work and for the amazing people who came to our aid with their letters of support.

“We expected that the impact of COVID-19 would require more strength from immigration and that was certainly true,” she said.

“Our first two applications and appeals were rejected because NZ Immigration pressured us to confirm that this post was ‘vital’ to our organization.

“We received support from Malcolm Pacific Immigration to help us with the application process and since then we have been able to gather all the necessary information in a systematic way with the confidence of the knowledge they have brought.

“George wouldn’t have come if we hadn’t participated in them, or Netball NZ support and letters of support we collected. We can’t wait to see George in the flesh. The wait has been difficult for her too, but she has been very patient. “

England’s Vitality Rose announced her move to New Zealand in September last year and was delighted to sign for the ANZ Premier League side.

“This move is so exciting because going to New Zealand to play netball is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Fisher said.

“Ever since I was young and I first saw their style of play, I’ve always been very interested in it, and I was attracted to it. Now, I’m getting a chance to learn more about it and test myself out there … it’s really inspiring. “

After outing to New Zealand with Vitality Roses England, Fisher got a taste of her new life and will now embark on a two-week quarantine trip before joining her new team.

“I wonder [quarantine] it will be more difficult this time because I will be alone instead with my teammates around me, “said Fisher.

“But once you get through the first week, the second week is over. I’m just going to get busy with a lot of little things – coloring books, a Netflix series, podcasts.”

With Steel already embarking on their pre-season campaign, they have been in regular contact with ZOOM with Fisher, and the hunter has kept himself in shape while they pending approval of his visa.

“I literally hope to just go in and hit the ground running,” Fisher told the Steel website.

“They seem to be having so much fun and they’re a really cool team. I’m looking forward to getting to know them all. The most important thing is to make those connections, doing the nitty-gritty and training together.

“I just want to get there now, meet the girls and start training so we can build those connections as a team and see how far we can take them. “

Steel’s ANZ 2021 Premier League campaign kicks off on April 18 with their opening game against The Good Oil Tactix at ILT Southland Stadium.