A particularly wild, high-pitched scream came during a stoppage, with New Zealand poised to throw the ball in from the sideline and the crowd relatively tame. The outburst caused Silver Ferns skipper Karin Burger – in the midst of the biggest game of her career – to burst out laughing. It was a light-hearted, momentary distraction from the intensity of the situation.
As soon as the 56-48 victory against Jamaica was over, Stythe took off like a runaway balloon, tearing around the court fist-pumping, roaring and holding the New Zealand flag aloft. It was a refreshing display of unfiltered passion rarely shown by Kiwi athletes, making her something of a trailblazer.
“That was just like a raw-emotion kind of thing,” Stythe told the Herald. “I didn’t realise I was going to do it. As soon as they said we were allowed flags, I was like, yeah, I’m going to roll with this. We actually got the flags taken off us, so I resorted to a towel, and then I picked it back up in the end.
“I actually asked who’s going to run with me, and no one did. But I knew I wanted to do everything I could from the bench as I’m not on with them. I tried to bring all the energy I could because I am quite an energetic person.”
Stythe said the Commonwealth Games experience was hard to put into words. She said everyone in the squad had a role to play and hers became hyping up her teammates.
Having debuted on last year’s northern tour, the defender feels more established and comfortable in the Ferns environment before the Constellation Cup against Australia, starting Sunday in Auckland.
When asked if she will replicate her celebrations if the Silver Ferns win the four-test series, Stythe joked she will be asking for the flag again.
“Yeah, if we win, I’m obviously going to do what I can to bring the energy. I do think it actually pumps everyone up. I think Karin was giggling at me on the sideline. It actually just chills everyone out sometimes when it’s a tense situation. So, definitely will keep the energy.
“The other girls on the bench are pretty good too. I think I just do it in times where it’s quiet, whereas they do it when they need to do it.”
The 23-year-old believes the confidence to express herself authentically is derived from her family. Stythe is the middle child of three girls; the youngest is Isla and the eldest is Imogen.
“My younger sister is also autistic, so she’s very big on being herself, says what she wants, does what she wants. I guess I’ve actually pulled a lot from her, just being so confident, in her own way. I think it’s cool that she’s just like that.
“I think everyone should be themselves a bit more. My dad’s a bit like me; I’d say I get my weirdness and stuff from him. My older sister as well, she’s a bit weird too, but we’re all just ourselves, which is pretty cool.”
Stythe is living back at home in Auckland with Isla and her parents, while Imogen resides in London. She is particularly looking forward to Isla attending the third test in Sydney.
“I’ve learned a lot from her. She’s a pretty funny person to be around. I always want her to meet all the netball girls. Even though she doesn’t like coming to the games, I try to pull her to a game. I just try to get everyone to meet her because she’s such an awesome person.”
Away from the netball court, Stythe is studying a year-long strength and conditioning course. The six-test defender is still figuring out what she wants to do when netball ends.
Stythe said Silver Ferns strength and conditioning coach Amanda Murphy has taken her under her wing.
“Murph calls me 2IC, so second in charge, because when I was on the back bench last year, I’d run the top-ups for the girls after the game. I always ask questions about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. I like to understand what I’m doing, like the rest in between sets and stuff. I’ve always been interested in that, so I thought, why not study it and get to understand it a bit more.”
Stythe faces a major challenge next year, moving to Melbourne to join the Vixens for Super Netball, where she will be accompanied by Ferns teammates Walmsley and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan. The trio are among 18 Kiwi players to be based offshore next year.
“I think it makes it easier that I’ve got two other Kiwis coming with me. But also, it’ll be so cool just to play at that level of netball week in, week out and train against really good players as well. It’ll just be a step up, which I’m excited for. I’ve heard from all the other girls that went over; they’ve just learned heaps.”
The trio have booked a couple of days together in Melbourne after the fourth test.
“We’re going to get to meet everyone and do a bit of admin while we’re over there and get to see our new hometown. Definitely excited to go over there and play.”
Stythe expects all the Super Netball players to be incredibly fit and a diverse defensive challenge.
“They can go for ages and keep that same level as they did in the first quarter to the fourth quarter. They’ve also got heaps of versatility in that circle, like the shooting circle. They could bring on anyone, and they offer something different.”
Constellation Cup Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds
Match 1: Sunday, October 18 – Spark Arena, Auckland, 7.30pm
Match 2: Wednesday, October 21 – Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch, 7.30pm
Match 3: Sunday, October 25 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 6pm NZT
Match 4: Wednesday, October 28 – John Cain Arena, Melbourne, 9.30pm NZT
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.