Thunderbird legend Emily Beaton shares ‘out of body’ experience

Emily Beaton made a name for herself with the Thunderbirds but admits that a freaky “out-of-body” moment cemented a career switch.

Thunderbirds dual premiership legend Emily Beaton discovered that it really does pay to
ask when she was rewarded with an exciting new career.

I’m someone who, in the past, has hated asking for things. Coming from a sporting background, if you’re good enough on merit, you get in, and I’ve kind of had that mindset.

But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen others get ahead or achieve great things, to later find out that they’ve actually put themselves forward.

I was really uncomfortable doing that because I grew up in a family, and in country areas, where you don’t want to have a big head.

I felt like if I was putting myself forward for things, I was saying that I think I’m better than other people, which isn’t the case.

Then I just got to this age – in my mid 30s – where I was like, “It’s my turn to actually try for what I want”.

Emily Beaton in her role for Fox Netball, with Cath Cox and Bianca Chatfield. Picture: Supplied

Last year I saw an opportunity to message Fox Netball, because I noticed there wasn’t anyone doing commentary in Adelaide, but I questioned myself, because I didn’t play for Australia.

I had an amazing career with (SA side) the Thunderbirds and won two premierships, played with them for 10 years, was in the starting seven, all of that …

But I had this limiting belief that they want the most decorated players (to be commentators). That really held me back.

Then, one day, I just went, “Stuff it, I’m just going to message and see what happens”.

Cath Cox, who’s a commentator, she’s wonderful, straightaway, she said, “I think you would be perfect”.

She put me forward to her boss, who then got in contact. I had a five minute conversation with her on Zoom and said she said “Yeah, we’d love to have you”. And that was it.

From there, so much has changed. I’ve got a new career in media and I’ve worked out it’s what I really love to do.

When I did my first ever commentary on Fox Netball, it gave me the same feeling as playing. There was that rush.

I don’t know if it is because it’s live, but you have to work towards something, you’ve got to perform in the moment, you get nerves and you’ve got to get past that.

There are so many similarities.

I’m someone who follows what gives me joy … and I just had so much joy afterwards. And there’s also the team environment. It’s fun, it’s so fun.

It was a pre-season Cup and I had never even had the thing – what do you call it? – the ISP that you put in your ear, in my ear before.

Emily Beaton. Picture: Supplied

Emily Beaton interviewing Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty. Picture: Supplied

I didn’t know what I was doing and I just sat down on the panel to start talking about netball.

They said ‘Go!’ and I went for it and they were like, ‘Have you ever done that before?’.

I hadn’t, but it felt natural. It was an environment where I was allowed to be myself. I felt very comfortable because netball has been my whole life since I was 10.

Plus, I’m generally an excitable person anyway, and I guess you need that for commentary. You need to be able to pump things up.

I had a season (with Fox Netball) and then Channel 7 gave me an opportunity to fill-in as a weather presenter over summer, which was so left-field and scary.

But after that day, when I put my hand up for commentating, I have just had so many new experiences.

Now I just say ‘Yes’, have a go and see what comes next.

In July I became the Suncorp Super Netball grand final ambassador and it was incredible to see the Thunderbirds win the premiership earlier this month.

It blew my mind last year when they won their first premiership in 10 years. I played in the 2013 premiership.

Emily Beaton. Picture: Supplied

Emily Beaton playing in the 2013 grand final. Picture: AAP Image/Ben Macmahon

I had an almost out-of-body moment when I was on the sidelines commentating.

I had been on the court the last time they won the grand final, and then I was on the court again when they won in 2023.

I couldn’t believe I was there. I always transport back to being a 10-year-old kid when I used to tell everybody that I was going to pay for the Thunderbirds when I was older.

Noone ever said ‘Oh, you’re being crazy’ and I just completely believed that I would.

When I think back tothat girl, that little kid for whom that was the biggest dream in the world … she didn’t just have a career with the Thunderbirds, but went on to be a commentator.

It was insane and then I got to do it this year as well … I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

You have to let go of the fear of rejection and just ask for what you want. The worst thing that can happen is someone will say ‘No’, but not knowing is worse.

Emily Beaton in her role as the Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final Ambassador, with Alexander, 5, Gemma, 6, Adriana, 6 and Ava, 6. Picture: Keryn Stevens

People don’t know what your dreams are unless you tell them. Doing that can literally change the course of what you do, and the way that you see yourself.

I now ask for things all the time and I find it scary every single time, it still doesn’t feel natural. But I keep getting more opportunities and my life keeps opening up.

Emily writes a twice-weekly lifestyle newsletter The List, subscribe at: emilybeaton.substack.com