Just three weeks out from the start of this year’s trans-Tasman netball league, Southern Steel are suddenly a midcourter short of a team.

Wendy Frew and husband Trent are expecting their first child in August, and the former Silver Fern confirmed on Thursday she was withdrawing from the Steel ANZ Championship squad for the rest of the season.

Co-coach Natalie Avellino said the franchise, based in New Zealand’s South Island, has already begun the hunt for a replacement.

“Obviously, there’s not a lot of depth within the midcourt in New Zealand netball, so that presents a definite challenge,” she said.

“We’re investigating all our options and what avenues might be available to us.”

The Steel have had to survive a challenging off-season, which began when long-standing coach Robyn Broughton moved to the Central Pulse after opting not to reapply for her position.

Eight of the Steel’s 12-strong 2011 trans-Tasman squad also moved on, with big-name losses including Silver Ferns Liana Leota, Paula Griffin and Leana de Bruin.

Chief executive Julie Paterson also moved on, shifting north to take over at the Northern Mystics.