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. 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.
+ Regular season statistics Season Position Won Drawn Lost19972nd90319981st111219991st111220001st120220011st120220022nd120220033rd100420042nd120220053rd120220062nd110320073rd806
ANZ Championship Between 2008 and 2016, Thunderbirds played in the ANZ Championship. Natalie von Bertouch became the inaugural ANZ Championship Thunderbirds captain. She subsequently captained Thunderbirds to two ANZ Championship titles. 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. In 2013, Natalie von Bertouch captained Thunderbirds to their fourth premiership after they defeated Queensland Firebirds in the grand final.
+ Regular season statistics Season Position Won Drawn Lost3rd9043rd10032nd9046th5084th9041st12018th5087th40710th2011
Super Netball
Since 2017, Thunderbirds have played in Super Netball. 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 Lost8th1013 8th00147th3297th5097th5097th5092nd9141st11033rd8061st1301
Grand finals Commonwealth Bank Trophy Season Winners Score Runners up Venue 1997Melbourne Phoenix58–48Adelaide ThunderbirdsThe Glasshouse 1998Adelaide Thunderbirds48–42Sydney SwiftsETSA Park 1999Adelaide Thunderbirds62–30Adelaide RavensETSA Park 2000Melbourne Phoenix52–51Adelaide ThunderbirdsThe Glasshouse 2001Sydney Swifts57–32Adelaide ThunderbirdsState Sports Centre 2002Melbourne Phoenix49–44Adelaide ThunderbirdsVodafone Arena 2006Sydney Swifts65–36Adelaide ThunderbirdsSydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
ANZ Championship Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2009Melbourne Vixens54–46Adelaide ThunderbirdsHisense Arena2010Adelaide Thunderbirds52–42Waikato Bay of Plenty MagicAdelaide Entertainment Centre2013Adelaide Thunderbirds50–48Queensland FirebirdsAdelaide Entertainment Centre
Super Netball Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2023Adelaide Thunderbirds60–59New South Wales SwiftsJohn Cain Arena2024Adelaide Thunderbirds59–57Melbourne VixensAdelaide Entertainment Centre2026Adelaide Thunderbirds61–40Melbourne VixensJohn Cain Arena
Home venues As of 2024, all Thunderbirds home games are played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The team has historically played the majority of their home games at the Netball SA Stadium as well as occasionally staging home games at the Adelaide Arena and a one-off home match at Darwin's Territory Netball Stadium in Round 7, 2019.
The club's administrative and training base is temporarily located at Adelaide Arena in Findon until the end of 2027, due to the redevelopment of Netball SA Stadium. The club is also temporarily utilising the facilities at the South Australian Sports Institute in Mile End.
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.
Notable players 2027 squad
Internationals
Jane Altschwager Natalie Avellino Erin Bell Laura von Bertouch Natalie von Bertouch Kate Beveridge Rebecca Bulley Alex Clarke Jacqui Delaney Matilda Garrett Mo'onia Gerrard Kathryn Harby-Williams Kristen Heinrich Alexandra Hodge Georgie Horjus Renae Ingles Sarah Klau Rebecca Larkin Sharni Layton Demelza McCloud Natalie Medhurst Maddy Proud Chelsea Pitman Laura Scherian Peta Scholz Amy Steel Sarah Sutter
Ama Agbeze Eleanor Cardwell Jade Clarke Beth Cobden Sasha Glasgow Layla Guscoth Geva Mentor Tracey Neville Chelsea Pitman Kate Shimmin Eboni Usoro-Brown
Romelda Aiken-George Carla Borrego Malysha Kelly Shimona Nelson Shamera Sterling-Humphrey Latanya Wilson
Leana de Bruin Maria Folau Kate Heffernan Cathrine Tuivaiti
Cathrine Tuivaiti
Fiona Themann
Leana de Bruin Bongiwe Msomi Lenize Potgieter Elmeré van der Berg Shadine van der Merwe Sanmarie Visser
Captains Name YearsKathryn Harby-Williams1997–2003Peta Scholz2004–2006 (co-captain)Laura von Bertouch2004–2006 (co-captain)2007 (sole captain)Natalie von Bertouch2008–2009, 2011-2013 (sole captain)2010 (co-captain)Mo'onia Gerrard2010 (co-captain)Renae Ingles2014–2015Erin Bell2016–2017Leana de Bruin2018 Chelsea Pitman2019–2020 (co-captain)Layla Guscoth2019 (co-captain)Hannah Petty2020 (co-captain)2021–2025 (sole captain)Georgie Horjus2026–present (co-captain)Shamera Sterling-Humphrey2026–present (co-captain)
Club Award winners Club Champion SeasonWinner2010Natalie von Bertouch2011Natalie von Bertouch (2)2012Rebecca Bulley2013Carla Borrego2014Erin Bell2015Carla Borrego (2)2016Maddy Proud2017Chelsea Pitman2018Kate Shimmin2019Maria Folau2020Shamera SterlingMaisie Nankivell2021Georgie Horjus2022Shamera Sterling (2)2023Shamera Sterling (3)2024Latanya Wilson2025Latanya Wilson (2)2026Latanya Wilson (3) Players' Player SeasonPlayer2010Natalie von Bertouch2011Natalie von Bertouch2012Rebecca Bulley2013Natalie von Bertouch2014Rebecca Bulley2015Leigh Waddington2016Emily Beaton2017Ama Agbeze2018Kate Shimmin2019Layla Guscoth2020Chelsea Pitman2021Shadine van der Merwe2022Shamera Sterling2023Latanya Wilson2024Georgie Horjus2025Latanya Wilson2026Georgie Horjus Members' Player of the Year SeasonPlayer2014Renae Hallinan2015Renae Ingles2016Kristina Brice2017Renae Ingles2018Kate Shimmin2019Shamera Sterling2020Chelsea Pitman2021Maisie Nankivell2022Shamera Sterling2023Georgie Horjus2024Georgie Horjus2025Latanya Wilson2026Georgie Horjus Tanya Denver Medal SeasonPlayer2010Natalie von Bertouch2011Natalie von Bertouch2012Rebecca Bulley2013Renae Hallinan2014Renae Hallinan2015Eboni Beckford-Chambers2016Kate Shimmin2017Sasha Glasgow2018Kate Shimmin2019Shamera Sterling Spirit Award SeasonPlayer2018Bongiwe Msomi2019Hannah Petty2020Shadine van der Merwe2021Hannah Petty2022Hannah Petty2023Eleanor Cardwell2024Tayla Williams2025Tayla Williams2026Tayla Williams
Competition Award winners Commonwealth Bank Trophy MVP +SeasonPlayer1999Jacqui Delaney2001Jacqui Delaney Super Netball Player of the Year SeasonPlayer2023Shamera Sterling2024Georgie Horjus ANZ Championship Australian Player of the Year SeasonPlayer2009Natalie von Bertouch2010Natalie von Bertouch2013Erin Bell Commonwealth Bank Trophy Players' Player SeasonPlayer2001Jacqui Delaney Commonwealth Bank Trophy Best New Talent SeasonPlayer2002Mandy Edwards ANZ Championship Best New Talent SeasonPlayer2010Sharni Layton2016Kristina Brice Super Netball Rookie of the Year SeasonPlayer2020Maisie Nankivell2023Lucy Austin2024Lauren Frew2025Sophie Casey ANZ Championship Leading Goalscorer SeasonPlayer2010Carla Borrego Commonwealth Bank Trophy Grand Final MVP SeasonPlayer1998Sarah Sutter1999Jacqui Delaney ANZ Championship Grand Final MVP SeasonPlayer2010Geva Mentor2013Erin Bell Super Netball Grand Final MVP SeasonPlayer2023Eleanor Cardwell2024Romelda Aiken-George2026Latanya Wilson Commonwealth Bank Trophy Margaret Pewtress Team of the Year SeasonPlayerPosition2002Laura von BertouchWA2002Rebecca SandersC2002Peta SquireWD2002Kathryn Harby-WilliamsGD2003Rebecca SandersC2003Peta ScholzWD2004Laura von BertouchWA2004Peta ScholzWD2005Laura von BertouchWA2005Natalie von BertouchC2006Laura von BertouchWA2006Natalie von BertouchC2007Laura von BertouchWA2007Natalie von BertouchC2007Peta ScholzWD ANZ Championship All Star Team SeasonPlayerPosition2011Emily BeatonWA2011Natalie von BertouchC2013Erin BellGA2013Renae HallinanWD2013Jane Woodlands-ThompsonCoach2014Renae HallinanWD Super Netball Team of the Year SeasonPlayerPosition2019Shamera SterlingReserve2020Shamera SterlingReserve2021Shamera SterlingReserve2022Latanya WilsonGD2022Shamera SterlingGK2023Latanya WilsonWD2023Shamera SterlingGK2024Georgie HorjusWA2024Latanya WilsonWD2024Shamera Sterling-HumphreyGK2025Latanya WilsonGD
Head coaches Name YearsMargaret Angove1997–2006 Tania Obst2007 Jane Woodlands-Thompson2008–2015 Michelle den Dekker2016 Kristy Keppich-Birrell2016 Dan Ryan2017–2018 Tania Obst2019–present ANZ Championship Australian Coach of the Year SeasonCoach2010Jane Woodlands-Thompson2013Jane Woodlands-Thompson Joyce Brown Coach of the Year SeasonCoach2024Tania Obst
Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures
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 and the ANC in 2022.
Premierships Commonwealth Bank Trophy Winners: 1998, 1999 Runners Up: 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006 Minor Premiership: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 ANZ Championship Winners: 2010, 2013 Runners Up: 2009 Minor Premiership: 2013 Super Netball Winners: 2023, 2024, 2026 Minor Premiership: 2024, 2026 Super Netball Reserves / Australian Netball Championships / Australian Netball League Winners: 2012, 2022 Runners Up: 2015 References
External links Official website Instagram TikTok