Wendy Frew facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Wendy Frew

Personal information
Full name	Wendy Frew (née Telfer)
Born	(1984-10-15) 15 October 1984 (age 40) Invercargill, New Zealand
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
School	Verdon College
Netball career
Playing position(s): WD, C, WA
Years	Club team(s)	Apps
2002–2007	Southern Sting	39
2008–2018	Southern Steel	176
Years	National team(s)	Caps
2008–2009	New Zealand	1
Medal record Representing  New Zealand World Netball Series Gold 2009 Manchester Team World Youth Netball Championships Gold 2005 Fort Lauderdale Team

Wendy Frew (born October 15, 1984) is a famous former netball player from New Zealand. She used to be known as Wendy Telfer.

She played for the Southern Sting team in the National Bank Cup league. Later, she joined Southern Steel for the ANZ Championship and ANZ Premiership leagues. Wendy was part of six teams that won championships. These included the Southern Sting teams in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007. She also won with Southern Steel in 2017 and 2018. Wendy was the captain when Steel won both of their championships. She also led Steel to victory in the 2017 Netball New Zealand Super Club tournament. In 2022, she was named one of the 25 best players in New Zealand netball leagues since 1998.

Early Life and Family

Wendy Frew was born and grew up in Invercargill, Southland. Her parents are Karen and Colin Telfer. The Telfer family lived in Rosedale. Wendy was one of eight children. She has a twin sister named Debbie. She also has three younger sisters: Alice, Jo, and Katie. Jo and Katie are also twins. All four of Wendy's sisters played netball for Southland. Debbie also played for Southern Sting and played softball for New Zealand's under-19 team.

Wendy has three brothers: Chris, Michael, and Matt. All of them played for the Junior Black Sox. Wendy went to Verdon College. One of her teachers there was Robyn Broughton, who later became her netball coach. Wendy is married to Trent Frew, who is a firefighter. They have two children. Their son, Archie, was born in 2012, and their daughter, Indie, was born in 2015.

Playing Career Highlights

Playing for Southern Sting

From 2002 to 2007, Wendy Telfer played 39 games for Southern Sting in the National Bank Cup league. She was only 17 and still in school when coach Robyn Broughton asked her to join the Sting team. While playing for Sting, she helped them win four championships. These wins were in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007.

Leading Southland NPC Team

In 2008, Wendy Telfer was the captain of the Southland team. They won the National Provincial Championships. They beat Auckland Waitakere 56–46. This was Southland's first championship win in 49 years. The team was coached by Natalie Avellino.

Time with Southern Steel

From 2008 to 2018, Wendy Frew played for Southern Steel. She played in the ANZ Championship and later in the ANZ Premiership. In 2009 and 2010, Wendy was the vice-captain for Steel. Before the 2011 season, she was named co-captain with Liana Leota. However, she missed the 2012 season because she was pregnant.

In December 2014, Wendy was named Steel captain again. On June 5, 2016, she played her 100th ANZ Championship game. This happened during a match against Mainland Tactix.

On June 12, 2017, Wendy was in a van with five other Steel players. The van was in a car accident in Fendalton, Christchurch. Four players were hurt, including Wendy. She needed over 70 stitches and had surgery. Despite her injuries, Wendy recovered quickly. Just 16 days later, she was back to captain the 2017 Southern Steel team. They won their first ANZ Premiership title, beating Central Pulse 69–53 in the final.

She also led Steel to win the 2017 Netball New Zealand Super Club tournament. However, during the final game, she injured her Achilles tendon. This injury later required surgery. Before the 2018 season, Wendy was confirmed as Steel captain for the fifth year in a row.

In July 2018, Wendy announced she would retire after Steel's 2018 season. On August 8, 2018, the ILT Stadium Southland was temporarily renamed the Wendy Frew Stadium. This was done to honor her for the Elimination final game. Wendy captained the 2018 Southern Steel team to their second ANZ Premiership title. They beat Central Pulse 54–53 in the grand final. She then confirmed her retirement on Instagram. She shared a fun picture of herself celebrating.

Before the 2020 season, Wendy Frew joined Southern Steel as an assistant coach. In May 2021, Steel created the Wendy Frew Medal. This award goes to the Steel player who shows great skill, dedication, and loyalty. In April 2022, Wendy was listed as one of the 25 best players in New Zealand netball leagues since 1998.

Playing for New Zealand

Wendy Telfer was part of the New Zealand under-21 team. They won the 2005 World Youth Netball Championships. On November 2, 2008, Wendy played her only senior game for New Zealand. She played the last part of a match against Australia. She was included in more national squads in 2008 and 2009. However, she only played one senior game because other players like Laura Langman and Joline Henry were often chosen instead. She was part of the New Zealand team that won the 2009 World Netball Series. She played in games against Malawi, England, and Samoa.

Coaching Career

Wendy Frew was announced as the head coach for Southern Steel for the 2025 ANZ Premiership season. This happened after the previous coach, Reinga Bloxham, left the team.

Other Sports

Besides playing for the New Zealand national netball team, Wendy Telfer also played other sports. She played for the New Zealand women's national softball team. She also represented New Zealand in touch rugby.

Awards and Achievements

New Zealand

• World Netball Series
  • Winners: 2009
• World Youth Netball Championships
  • Winners: 2005

Southern Sting

• National Bank Cup
  • Winners: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007
  • Runners Up: 2005, 2006

Southern Steel

• ANZ Premiership
  • Winners: 2017, 2018
• ANZ Championship
  • Minor premiers: 2016
• Netball New Zealand Super Club
  • Winners: 2017