Stythe, who won back-to-back ANZ Premiership titles with the Northern Mystics, was announced yesterday as the first signing for the Steel’s 2025 roster.
"I’m very excited to be joining the Steel for 2025," Stythe said.
"I love learning new things and growing as a person and player.
"The move to the Steel will come with lots of new learnings and experiences which I’m really looking forward too."
Standing at 1.92m, Stythe is a versatile circle defender who can slide from goal keep to goal defence and has a reputation for hunting the ball.
She burst on to the scene with the Mystics in 2022, after being named secondary school player of the year in 2021, and was named an aspiring Silver Fern at the 2023 Netball New Zealand awards.
She has also been rewarded with a Silver Ferns trial this week.
Stythe, 21, thanked the Mystics for the past few seasons, but said it was time to try something new.
"I’m very grateful for everything Mystics have done for me — teaching me, developing me and it’s pretty cool going back-to-back champions in my second and third year of ANZ Premiership netball.
"I wanted to challenge myself and try something new living away from home and I can’t get much further from home then the bottom of the South Island.
"Since I’m young this is the perfect time to do this and I think it will not only help me grow as a player but as a person."
Working with new Steel coach Wendy Frew had also been a drawcard.
‘‘I’ve heard so many great things about Wendy. We’ve had a couple chats and I love what she’s going to bring to this Steel side and I’m looking forward to working with her and the coaching staff,” Stythe said.
"My personal goal for the 2025 season is to keep growing in both defensive positions.
‘‘I know I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn and I’m really excited as to what I can learn from the coaches and players on and off the court."
Frew said Stythe was a great injection for the Steel’s defence line.
"The pieces of the puzzle are all coming together now and there’s an incredible amount of talent in our ranks for next season," Frew said.
‘‘I’m just so pumped to work with this group of athletes and see what we can all achieve together.”
Stythe joins Aliyah Dunn and Kimiora Poi from the Tactix as the Steel’s new recruits for next season.
Kate and Georgia Heffernan, Renee Savai’inaea and Serina Daunakamakama are also returning.
