O’Connell loving involvement in Hoiho
By Kayla Hodge - Otago Daily Times
Jennifer O’Connell is switching things up.
Many will recognise her name from when the dominant shooter debuted for the Southern Steel in 2017, until a serious knee injury curtailed her career in 2020.
She began rehab to return to the netball court, but when that did not pan out, O’Connell offered to help "scrimmage" with Invercargill basketballers preparing for 3x3 competitions.
The 1.93m athlete joined the Southern Hoiho for the 3x3 Cup at the end of last year — alongside Hoiho players Samara Gallaher, Tyler Mitchell and Caitlin O’Connell — and it left her hungry for more.
The Hoiho have added more to the Aurora College teacher’s plate as the Invercargill-based O’Connell is signing on for the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa League.
"I’m just so stoked to be here," O’Connell said.
"It is worth driving five hours — it’s worth doing that twice a week.
"I literally leave training every single time just so happy."
O’Connell (26) grew up on her family farm, near Clinton, and played basketball while boarding at Waitaki Girls’ High School.
She continued to play while at university in Dunedin, for Varsity and Otago under-23, but it always took a back seat to netball.
Getting involved in basketball again had been enjoyable but it was the Hoiho environment that added something special.
"When I thought about it, like, ‘is this worth it?’
"The team vibe — it absolutely outweighs being tired. It’s so worth it."
O’Connell, who is taking next term off from school for the Tauihi season, is relishing being immersed in a professional environment again, pushing her to be her best.
"It’s hard to explain to non-sports people what you get from being around people that just want to be better.
"That’s why I love making the trip up here. People push you in a way it just makes you want to be better, but it’s never in a bad way.
"It’s just this positive competitiveness."
She heaped praise on her team-mates, but also head coach Todd Marshall and his support staff, who had been aiding her return to the sport.
"They’re so patient. They’re great people.
"It’s really cool because they’ve brought back all these older people who have been in that environment before and it just helps.
"They’re building a really good culture, which is exciting. It’s exciting to be a part of."
She joins other Hoiho signings in twin sisters Zoe and Brittany Richards, Samara Gallaher, Tyler Mitchell, Caitlin O’Connell and American import Ashten Prechtel.
The Hoiho season gets under way on July 12 against the Tokomanawa Queens in Porirua.