Adelaide Thunderbirds

Adelaide Thunderbirds
Founded1997
Based inAdelaide
RegionsSouth Australia
Home venueAdelaide Entertainment Centre
Head coachTania Obst
Asst coachCathy Fellows
CaptainGeorgie Horjus & Shamera Sterling-Humphrey
Premierships7 (1998, 1999, 2010, 2013, 2023, 2024, 2026)
LeagueSuper Netball
ANZ Championship (2008-2016)
Commonwealth Bank Trophy (1997-2007)
2026 placing1st
Websiteadelaidethunderbirds.com.au
Uniform
Uniform
Uniform

Adelaide Thunderbirds are an Australian professional netball team based in Adelaide, South Australia. Since 2017 they have played in Super Netball. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship and between 1997 and 2007, they played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Thunderbirds have won seven premierships. They won their first two premierships in 1998 and 1999 during the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era, their third and fourth in 2010 and 2013 during ANZ Championship era, and their fifth and sixth back to back in 2023, 2024, then won again in 2026 during the Super Netball era, claiming their seventh title. After winning the Grand Final three out of four years they became the first team to win three Suncorp Super Netball championships. Historically, Thunderbirds are one of Australia's most successful netball teams. Between 1997 and 2010 they finished in the top three of every regular season, and are the first and only team to win a Trophy at all 3 eras.

History

Commonwealth Bank Trophy

Between 1997 and 2007, Adelaide Thunderbirds played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Adelaide Ravens, Melbourne Kestrels, Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Orioles, Queensland Firebirds, Sydney Sandpipers and Sydney Swifts, Thunderbirds were one of the founding members of the league. Thunderbirds were initially going to be named Adelaide Falcons but the name was changed at the request of the rugby union team.[1][2][3] Adelaide Thunderbirds and Adelaide Ravens represented Netball South Australia and each team was assigned four state league clubs to select players from. Thunderbirds were aligned with Cheerio, Contax, Matrics and Oakdale. With a team coached by former Contax head coach, Margaret Angove and a starting seven featuring Rebecca Sanders, Kathryn Harby-Williams, Jacqui Delaney, Sarah Sutter, Peta Squire, Cassie Mogg and Alex Hodge, Thunderbirds won their first two premierships and grand finals in 1998 and 1999.[1][4][5][6]

Regular season statistics
Season Position Won Drawn Lost
19972nd903
19981st1112
19991st1112
20001st1202
20011st1202
20022nd1202
20033rd1004
2004[7]2nd1202
2005[8]3rd1202
20062nd1103
20073rd806

  Premierships
  Runners Up

Source:[5][6][9][10][11][12][13][14]

ANZ Championship

Between 2008 and 2016, Thunderbirds played in the ANZ Championship.[1] Natalie von Bertouch became the inaugural ANZ Championship Thunderbirds captain. She subsequently captained Thunderbirds to two ANZ Championship titles.[15][16] In 2010, after finishing second during the regular season, they defeated the minor premiers, New South Wales Swifts, in the major semi-final and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the grand final.[17][18][19][20] In 2013, Natalie von Bertouch captained Thunderbirds to their fourth premiership after they defeated Queensland Firebirds in the grand final.[16][21][22][23]

Regular season statistics
Season Position Won Drawn Lost
20083rd904
2009[24]3rd1003
2010[17][18]2nd904
2011[25][26]6th508
2012[27]4th904
2013[16]1st1201
2014[28]8th508
2015[29]7th407
2016[30]10th2011

  Premierships
  Runners Up

Super Netball

Adelaide Thunderbirds players warm up in clash against the Giants during the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season.

Since 2017, Thunderbirds have played in Super Netball.[31] They had initially struggled to find success in the competition, not making finals or finishing higher than seventh place until 2023, where they won their first grand final. In 2024, they won a second consecutive title, but their attempt at a threepeat in 2025 was quashed by the eventual premiers, the Melbourne Vixens in the Minor Semi-Final. In 2026, the Thunderbirds won the minor premiership by winning thirteen of their fourteen regular season games, which had never been achieved by any previous team in the Super Netball era. They completed the near-perfect season by winning the premiership against the Melbourne Vixens.

Regular season statistics
Season Position Won Drawn Lost
2017[32]8th1013
2018[33]8th0014
2019[34]7th329
20207th509
2021 7th 5 0 9
2022[35] 7th 5 0 9
2023 2nd 9 1 4
2024 1st 11 0 3
2025 3rd 8 0 6
2026 1st 13 0 1

  Premierships
  Runners Up

Grand finals

Commonwealth Bank Trophy
Season Winners Score Runners up Venue
1997Melbourne Phoenix58–48Adelaide ThunderbirdsThe Glasshouse
1998[1]Adelaide Thunderbirds48–42Sydney SwiftsETSA Park
1999[1][36]Adelaide Thunderbirds62–30Adelaide RavensETSA Park
2000[37]Melbourne Phoenix52–51Adelaide ThunderbirdsThe Glasshouse
2001[38][39]Sydney Swifts57–32Adelaide ThunderbirdsState Sports Centre
2002[40]Melbourne Phoenix49–44Adelaide ThunderbirdsVodafone Arena
2006[38][41][42]Sydney Swifts65–36Adelaide ThunderbirdsSydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

Source:[9][10][11][12][13][14]

ANZ Championship
Season Winners Score Runners up Venue
2009[43][44]Melbourne Vixens54–46Adelaide ThunderbirdsHisense Arena
2010[19][20]Adelaide Thunderbirds52–42Waikato Bay of Plenty MagicAdelaide Entertainment Centre
2013[21][22][23]Adelaide Thunderbirds50–48Queensland FirebirdsAdelaide Entertainment Centre
Thunderbirds players celebrating with the trophy after winning the 2023 Super Netball Grand Final.
Super Netball
Season Winners Score Runners up Venue
2023Adelaide Thunderbirds60–59New South Wales SwiftsJohn Cain Arena
2024Adelaide Thunderbirds59–57Melbourne VixensAdelaide Entertainment Centre
2026Adelaide Thunderbirds61–40Melbourne VixensJohn Cain Arena

Home venues

As of 2024, all Thunderbirds home games are played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.[45] The team has historically played the majority of their home games at the Netball SA Stadium[7][8] as well as occasionally staging home games at the Adelaide Arena[46][47] and a one-off home match at Darwin's Territory Netball Stadium in Round 7, 2019.[48]

Team colours

During the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era, Thunderbirds main colour was silver. Between 2008 and 2010, when Thundersbirds were sponsored by Port Adelaide Football Club, they adopted their sponsors team colours of black, white, teal and silver. Ahead of the 2011 season, Thunderbirds announced they were changing their team colours to pink, black and white.[49][50][51]

Notable players

2026 squad

2026 Adelaide Thunderbirds roster
PlayersCoaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height
Australia Georgie Horjus (cc) WA, GA (2002-01-28) 28 January 2002 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Jamaica Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (cc) GK, GD (1995-10-21) 21 October 1995 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Australia Sophie Casey WD, C (2004-04-30) 30 April 2004 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Australia Lauren Frew GA, GS (2001-12-12) 12 December 2001 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Australia Matilda Garrett (vc) GD, GK (1998-08-11) 11 August 1998 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Australia Kayla Graham GA, WA, GS (2004-05-24) 24 May 2004 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
New Zealand Kate Heffernan C, WD (1999-10-07) 7 October 1999 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
South Africa Elmeré van der Berg GS, GA (2001-04-09) 9 April 2001 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Australia Tayla Williams (vc) C, WA, WD (2000-04-13) 13 April 2000 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Jamaica Latanya Wilson GD, WD, GK (2000-10-11) 11 October 2000 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Head coach
  • Australia Tania Obst
Assistant coaches
  • Australia Cathy Fellows


Notes
  • (c) – Captain
  • (cc) – Co-captain
  • (vc) – Vice-captain
  • Injured or on maternity leave – Injury / maternity leave
  • (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles: Team website Last updated: 28 April 2026

Captains

Name Years
Kathryn Harby-Williams1997–2003
Peta Scholz2004–2006
Laura von Bertouch2004–2007
Natalie von Bertouch[15][52][23]2008–2013
Mo'onia Gerrard[17]2010
Renae Ingles[28][29][53]2014–2015
Erin Bell[30][32][54]2016–2017
Leana de Bruin[33][55]2018
Layla Guscoth[34][56]2019
Chelsea Pitman[34][56][57][58]2019–2020
Hannah Petty[57]2020–2025
Georgie Horjus 2026– (co-captain)
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey 2026– (co-captain)

Internationals

 Australia
 England
 Jamaica
 New Zealand
 Samoa
 Scotland
 South Africa

Award winners

Commonwealth Bank Trophy MVP
Player Season
Jacqui Delaney 1999
Jacqui Delaney 2001
SSN Player of the Year
Player Season
Shamera Sterling 2023
Georgie Horjus 2024
ANZC Australian Player of the Year
Player Season
Natalie von Bertouch 2009
Natalie von Bertouch 2010
Erin Bell 2013
Commonwealth Bank Trophy Players' Player
Player Season
Jacqui Delaney 2001
Commonwealth Bank Trophy Best New Talent
Player Season
Mandy Edwards 2002

ANZC Best New Talent

Player Season
Sharni Layton 2010
Kristina Brice 2016
SSN Rookie of the Year
Player Season
Maisie Nankivell 2020
Lucy Austin 2023
Lauren Frew 2024
Sophie Casey 2025
ANZC Leading Goalscorer
Player Season
Carla Borrego 2010
Commonwealth Bank Trophy Grand Final MVP
Player Season
Sarah Sutter 1998
Jacqui Delaney 1999
ANZC Grand Final MVP
Player Season
Geva Mentor 2010
Erin Bell 2013

SSN Grand Final MVP

Player Season
Eleanor Cardwell 2023
Romelda Aiken-George 2024
Commonwealth Bank Trophy Margaret Pewtress Team of the Year
Player Season Position
Laura von Bertouch 2002 WA
Rebecca Sanders 2002 C
Peta Squire 2002 WD
Kathryn Harby-Williams 2002 GD
Rebecca Sanders 2003 C
Peta Scholz 2003 WD
Laura von Bertouch 2004 WA
Peta Scholz 2004 WD
Laura von Bertouch 2005 WA
Natalie von Bertouch 2005 C
Laura von Bertouch 2006 WA
Natalie von Bertouch 2006 C
Laura von Bertouch 2007 WA
Natalie von Bertouch 2007 C
Peta Scholz 2007 WD
ANZC All Star Team members
Player Season Position
Emily Beaton 2011 WA
Natalie von Bertouch 2011 C
Erin Bell 2013 GA
Renae Hallinan 2013 WD
Jane Woodlands-Thompson 2013 Coach
Renae Hallinan 2014 WD
Super Netball Team of the Year
Player Season Position
Shamera Sterling 2019 Reserve
Shamera Sterling 2020 Reserve
Shamera Sterling 2021 Reserve
Latanya Wilson 2022 GD
Shamera Sterling 2022 GK
Latanya Wilson 2023 WD
Shamera Sterling 2023 GK
Georgie Horjus 2024 WA
Latanya Wilson 2024 WD
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey 2024 GK
Latanya Wilson 2025 GD

Head coaches

Name Years
Margaret Angove1997–2006
Tania Obst2007
Jane Woodlands-Thompson2008–2015
Michelle den Dekker[30][59][60]2016
Kristy Keppich-Birrell[30][60]2016
Dan Ryan[61][62][63][64]2017–2018
Tania Obst[65]2019–

Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures team

The reserve team of the Adelaide Thunderbirds is known as the Thunderbirds Futures, and previously played as the Southern Force. This team currently plays in the Super Netball Reserves competition, which began in 2024, after rebranding from the Australian Netball Championships and prior to that, the Australian Netball League. The team has won two premierships, the ANL in 2012[27] and the ANC in 2022.[66]

Premierships

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Adelaide Thunderbirds – History". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Adelaide Thunderbirds - ANZ Championship". anz-championship.com. 22 April 2003. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  3. ↑ "Home Ground Advantage in the Australian Netball League (Commonwealth Bank Trophy)" (PDF). researchbank.swinburne.edu.au. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  4. ↑ "Club History – 1997 to 2002". contax.net.au. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  5. 1 2 "(Adelaide Thunderbirds) Commonwealth Bank Trophy Team History". anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  6. 1 2 "(Adelaide Thunderbirds) CBT Honour Roll". anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Netball Australia - Annual Report 04" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Netball Australia - Annual Report 05" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  9. 1 2 "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 1)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 2)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 3)". netballscoop.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 4)". netballscoop.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 5)". netballscoop.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  14. 1 2 "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 6)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  15. 1 2 "Natalie von Bertouch". diamonds.netball.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  16. 1 2 3 "Annual Report 2013 – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  17. 1 2 3 "Annual Report 2010 – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  18. 1 2 "Netball Australia Annual Report 2010" (PDF). Netball Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Thunderbirds claim victory". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 July 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  20. 1 2 "Adelaide Thunderbirds (52) defeated Bay of Plenty Magic (42)". womensportreport.com. 11 July 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  21. 1 2 "Adelaide Thunderbirds win second ANZ Championship title after downing Queensland Firebirds". foxsports.com.au. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  22. 1 2 "Diamonds should call on T'bird Bell". theroar.com.au. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  23. 1 2 3 "Netball: Adelaide Thunderbirds win trans-Tasman title with 50-48 win over Queensland Firebirds". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "ANZ Championship - 2009 Season Ladder". anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  25. ↑ "Annual Report 2011 – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  26. ↑ "2011 Annual Report – Netball Australia" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  27. 1 2 "Annual Report 2012 – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  28. 1 2 "Annual Report 2014 – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  29. 1 2 "2015 Annual Report – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  30. 1 2 3 4 "2016 Annual Report – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  31. ↑ "Adelaide Thunderbirds". supernetball.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  32. 1 2 "2017 Annual Report – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  33. 1 2 "2018 Annual Report – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  34. 1 2 3 "2019 Annual Report – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  35. ↑ "Suncorp Super Netball 2022 Ladder | Livesport.com". livesport.com. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  36. ↑ "Jacqui Delaney". diamonds.netball.com.au. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  37. ↑ "20 years on for the 2000 Melbourne Phoenix Premiership team". vic.netball.com.au. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  38. 1 2 "Netball NSW – Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  39. ↑ "2005 Netball NSW – Annual Report" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  40. ↑ "Phoenix soar to third title". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 September 2002. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  41. ↑ "Swifts win netball grand final". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 September 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  42. ↑ "Netball Australia - Annual Report 06" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  43. ↑ "Vixens overpower Thunderbirds". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  44. ↑ "Vixens victorious at ANZ Grand Final showdown". express.co.uk. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  45. ↑ "SA to host 2024 SSN GF, Thunderbirds secure new home, Netball SA Stadium to be revamped". Adelaide Thunderbirds. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  46. ↑ "Adelaide Thunderbirds move four games to Adelaide Arena". adelaidenow.com.au. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  47. ↑ "Queensland Firebirds thump Adelaide Thunderbirds". stuff.co.nz. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  48. ↑ "Adelaide Thunderbirds to play Round 7 in Darwin". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  49. ↑ "National champions Adelaide Thunderbirds pretty in pink and loving it". adelaidenow.com.au. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  50. ↑ "Netball team to wear Port Power colours". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 October 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  51. ↑ "Adelaide Thunderbirds Fly New Colours". glamadelaide.com.au. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  52. ↑ "2009 (Adelaide Thunderbirds) Team List". anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  53. ↑ "Ingles announces retirement". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 23 May 2017. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  54. ↑ "Thunderbirds name leadership squad". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 8 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  55. ↑ "Leana de Bruin to captain Thunderbirds in 2018". supernetball.com.au. 21 March 2018. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  56. 1 2 "Guscoth and Pitman named Adelaide Thunderbirds 2019 co-captains". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  57. 1 2 "SA talent joins experienced Thunderbird as 2020 co-captain". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 28 July 2020.
  58. ↑ "England netball star Chelsea Pitman 'heartbroken' after not being offered 2021 contract at Adelaide Thunderbirds". newschain.uk. 21 September 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  59. ↑ "Michelle den Dekker and Jenny Borlase back together to guide Thunderbirds to ANZ Championship". perthnow.com.au. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  60. 1 2 "Netball: Thunderbirds sack coach". The New Zealand Herald. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  61. ↑ "Dan Ryan: Why 27 losses won't kill my dream". thenetballcoach.com. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  62. ↑ "Dan Ryan to step down as Manchester Thunder Coach". manchesterthunder.com. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  63. ↑ "Manchester Thunder statement on Dan Ryan's Departure". manchesterthunder.com. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  64. ↑ "The trouble with the Thunderbirds". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  65. ↑ "Adelaide Thunderbirds appoint Tania Obst as coach after losing streak reaches 23 games". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  66. ↑ "2022 Netball SA Annual Report" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
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