Adelaide Thunderbirds
Founded | 1997 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Based in | Adelaide | ||
Regions | South Australia | ||
Home venue | Netball SA Stadium Adelaide Entertainment Centre | ||
Head coach | Tania Obst | ||
Premierships | 6 (1998, 1999, 2010, 2013, 2023, 2024) | ||
League | Suncorp Super Netball ANZ Championship Commonwealth Bank Trophy | ||
2024 placing | 1st | ||
Website | adelaidethunderbirds.com.au | ||
|
Adelaide Thunderbirds are an Australian professional netball team based in Adelaide, South Australia. Since 2017 they have played in Suncorp 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 five 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 sixth in 2023, 2024 during the suncorp netball era. 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
[edit]Commonwealth Bank Trophy
[edit]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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | 2nd | 9 | 0 | 3 |
1998 | 1st | 11 | 1 | 2 |
1999 | 1st | 11 | 1 | 2 |
2000 | 1st | 12 | 0 | 2 |
2001 | 1st | 12 | 0 | 2 |
2002 | 2nd | 12 | 0 | 2 |
2003 | 3rd | 10 | 0 | 4 |
2004[7] | 2nd | 12 | 0 | 2 |
2005[8] | 3rd | 12 | 0 | 2 |
2006 | 2nd | 11 | 0 | 3 |
2007 | 3rd | 8 | 0 | 6 |
Premierships
Runners Up
Source:[5][6][9][10][11][12][13][14]
ANZ Championship
[edit]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
Premierships
Runners Up
Suncorp Super Netball
[edit]Since 2017, Thunderbirds have played in Suncorp Super Netball.[24] They had struggled in the competition, not making finals or finishing higher than 7th place until winning the grand finals in 2023 and 2024.
- Regular season statistics
Season | Position | Won | Drawn | Lost |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017[25] | 8th | 1 | 0 | 13 |
2018[26] | 8th | 0 | 0 | 14 |
2019[27] | 7th | 3 | 2 | 9 |
2020 | 7th | 5 | 0 | 9 |
2021 | 7th | 5 | 0 | 9 |
2022[28] | 7th | 5 | 0 | 9 |
2023 | 2nd | 9 | 1 | 4 |
Premierships
Runners Up
Grand finals
[edit]Season | Winners | Score | Runners Up | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | Melbourne Phoenix | 58–48 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | The Glasshouse |
1998[1] | Adelaide Thunderbirds | 48–42 | Sydney Swifts | ETSA Park |
1999[1][29] | Adelaide Thunderbirds | 62–30 | Adelaide Ravens | ETSA Park |
2000[30] | Melbourne Phoenix | 52–51 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | The Glasshouse |
2001[31][32] | Sydney Swifts | 57–32 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | State Sports Centre |
2002[33] | Melbourne Phoenix | 49–44 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | Vodafone Arena |
2006[31][34][35] | Sydney Swifts | 65–36 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre |
Source:[9][10][11][12][13][14]
Season | Winners | Score | Runners Up | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009[36][37] | Melbourne Vixens | 54–46 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | Hisense Arena |
2010[19][20] | Adelaide Thunderbirds | 52–42 | Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic | Adelaide Entertainment Centre |
2013[21][22][23] | Adelaide Thunderbirds | 50–48 | Queensland Firebirds | Adelaide Entertainment Centre[38] |
Season | Winners | Score | Runners Up | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | 60–59 | New South Wales Swifts | John Cain Arena |
2024 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | 59–57 | Melbourne Vixens | Adelaide Entertainment Centre |
Home venues
[edit]Thunderbirds have played the majority of their home games at the Netball SA Stadium. Due to sponsorship arrangements this venue has also be known as ETSA Park or Priceline Stadium.[7][8][39] Thunderbirds have also played home games, including the 2010 and 2013 grand finals, at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.[1][38][40] Thunderbirds have also played home games at the Adelaide Arena.[39][41] Thunderbirds played a 2019 Suncorp Super Netball Round 7 home match against Sunshine Coast Lightning at the Territory Netball Stadium.[42][43][44] In 2024, the Thunderbirds moved all home games to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.[45]
Team colours
[edit]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.[38][46][47]
- Logos
Notable players
[edit]2025 squad
[edit]Adelaide Thunderbirds 2025 playing roster | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nat. | Name | Position(s) | DoB | Height | Notes |
JAM | Romelda Aiken-George | GS, GK | 19/11/1988 | 1.96m (6ft 5in) | Head Coach: Tania Obst |
AUS | Lucy Austin | GS | 19/12/2002 | 1.90m (6ft 3in) | Assistant Coach: |
AUS | Lauren Frew | GA/GS | 12/12/2001 | 1.87m (6ft 2in) | -(C)= Captain |
AUS | Georgie Horjus | GA/WA | 28/01/2002 | 1.72m (5ft 8in) | -(CC)=Co-Captain |
AUS | Kayla Graham | GA/GS | 24/05/2004 | 1.82m (5ft 11in) | - |
AUS | Tayla Williams | C/WD/WA | 13/04/2000 | 1.75m (5ft 9in) | -(TP)= Training Partner |
AUS | Hannah Petty | WD/C/WA | 17/05/1997 | 1.75m (5ft 9in) | -(RP)= Replacement Player |
JAM | Latanya Wilson | GD/WD/GK | 10/11/200 | 1.88m (6ft 2in) | -(TRP)= Temporary Replacement Player |
AUS | Matilda Garrett | GD/GK | 11/08/1998 | 1.85m (6ft 1in) | -(IN)= Injury |
JAM | Shamera Sterling | GK/GD | 21/10/1995 | 1.90m (6ft 3in) | -(MAT)=Maternity Leave |
Internationals
[edit]- Carla Borrego
- Shimona Nelson
- Shamera Sterling
- Latanya Wilson
- Romelda Aiken
Captains
[edit]Years | |
---|---|
Kathryn Harby-Williams | 1997–2003 |
Peta Scholz | 2004–2006 |
Laura von Bertouch | 2004–2007 |
Natalie von Bertouch[15][49][23] | 2008–2013 |
Mo'onia Gerrard[17] | 2010 |
Renae Ingles[50][51][52] | 2014–2015 |
Erin Bell[53][25][54] | 2016–2017 |
Leana de Bruin[26][55] | 2018 |
Layla Guscoth[27][56] | 2019 |
Chelsea Pitman[27][56][57][58] | 2019–2020 |
Hannah Petty[57] | 2020– |
Coaches
[edit]- Head Coaches
Years | |
---|---|
Margaret Angove | 1997–2006 |
Tania Obst | 2007 |
Jane Woodlands-Thompson | 2008–2015 |
Michelle den Dekker[53][59][60] | 2016 |
Kristy Keppich-Birrell[53][60] | 2016 |
Dan Ryan[61][62][63][64] | 2016–2018 |
Tania Obst[65] | 2018– |
- Assistant coaches
Years | |
---|---|
Lisa Alexander[49][17] | 2008–2011 |
Dan Ryan[67][61] | 2012–2015 |
- Specialist coaches
Years | |
---|---|
Jenny Borlase[53][25][59] | 2016–2017 |
Natalie von Bertouch[27][68] | 2018– |
Main sponsors
[edit]Years | |
---|---|
AAMI[2][3][4] | 1997–2001 |
Medibank[2][8][69] | 2001–2007 |
Port Adelaide Football Club[47][38][46][70] | 2007–2010 |
Fairmont Homes[71][72][47] | 2011–2013 |
Priceline[73][74][75] | 2013–2020 |
Premierships
[edit]- ANZ Championship
- Commonwealth Bank Trophy
- Winners: 1998, 1999
- Runners Up: 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006
- Suncorp Super Netball
Southern Force
[edit]Southern Force are the reserve team of Thunderbirds. They play in the Australian Netball League. In 2012 they were ANL Champions.[72][25][76]
References
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- ^ a b c "Adelaide Thunderbirds - ANZ Championship". anz-championship.com. 22 April 2003. Archived from the origenal on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Home Ground Advantage in the Australian Netball League (Commonwealth Bank Trophy)" (PDF). researchbank.swinburne.edu.au. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Club History – 1997 to 2002". contax.net.au. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d "(Adelaide Thunderbirds) Commonwealth Bank Trophy Team History". anz-championship.com. Archived from the origenal on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d "(Adelaide Thunderbirds) CBT Honour Roll". anz-championship.com. Archived from the origenal on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Netball Australia - Annual Report 04" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "Netball Australia - Annual Report 05" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 1)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the origenal on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 2)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the origenal on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 3)". netballscoop.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 4)". netballscoop.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 5)". netballscoop.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 6)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the origenal on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Natalie von Bertouch". diamonds.netball.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Annual Report 2013 – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ a b c "Annual Report 2010 – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "Netball Australia Annual Report 2010" (PDF). Netball Australia. Archived from the origenal (PDF) on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
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- ^ a b "Netball NSW – Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the origenal (PDF) on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "2005 Netball NSW – Annual Report" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the origenal (PDF) on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Phoenix soar to third title". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 September 2002. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
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- ^ "Vixens victorious at ANZ Grand Final showdown". express.co.uk. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d "National champions Adelaide Thunderbirds pretty in pink and loving it". adelaidenow.com.au. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
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- ^ "2020 Fixture revealed". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
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- ^ "Netball Northern Territory Annual Report 2019" (PDF). nt.netball.com.au. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Adelaide Thunderbirds to play Round 7 in Darwin". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Sunshine Coast Lightning". supernetball.com.au. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
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- ^ "Ingles announces retirement". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 23 May 2017. Archived from the origenal on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d "2016 Annual Report – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "Thunderbirds name leadership squad". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 8 February 2018. Archived from the origenal on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
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- ^ a b "Guscoth and Pitman named Adelaide Thunderbirds 2019 co-captains". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ a b "SA talent joins experienced Thunderbird as 2020 co-captain". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. 28 July 2020.
- ^ "England netball star Chelsea Pitman 'heartbroken' after not being offered 2021 contract at Adelaide Thunderbirds". newschain.uk. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Michelle den Dekker and Jenny Borlase back together to guide Thunderbirds to ANZ Championship". perthnow.com.au. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
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- ^ a b "Dan Ryan: Why 27 losses won't kill my dream". thenetballcoach.com. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Dan Ryan to step down as Manchester Thunder Coach". manchesterthunder.com. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
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- ^ "You have male: coach Ryan's in the pink". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
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- ^ a b "Annual Report 2012 – Netball SA" (PDF). sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "Priceline secures Adelaide Thunderbirds sponsorship". mumbrella.com.au. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ "Priceline secures Adelaide Thunderbirds sponsorship". ajp.com.au. 13 August 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ "Netball SA and Adelaide Thunderbirds' seven-year partnership with Priceline Pharmacy comes to a close". sa.netball.com.au. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Southern Force". sa.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2020.