Ex-Queensland netballer Eleanor Horsburgh keen to help Contax win third Premier League title in a row

Former Queensland state league goal shooter Eleanor Horsburgh is keen to make her mark with reigning premier Contax after being recruited to the SA Premier League club this season.

Eleanor Horsburgh is Contax’s newest recruit for the 2019 Premier League netball season after arriving from Brisbane. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

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Moving to a new netball club in a different state without knowing anyone can always create a bit of pressure.

Add that to switching to a club that has won six of the past 10 top-tier titles and is aiming for a three-peat this year.

But Contax’s latest recruit, Eleanor Horsburgh, refuses to let herself get caught up with the weight of expectation.

The ex-Queensland goal shooter, who made her debut with the reigning premier in its 23-goal win against Garville last Friday, is focused on earning the respect of her teammates, coaches and opposition players.

Eleanor Horsburgh. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

“I moved here and I knew no one but it’s quite exciting to come in to a team like Contax,” Horsburgh, of Brighton, says.

“How the team has gone in the past two years was quite reassuring because it showed the depth, the culture and quality of coaching staff.

“I’ve got an idea of how successful Contax is but I try not to read too much into it so I don’t frighten myself too much.

“I just have to keep working on getting the ball in the hoop and in terms of court time, being the new player, you need to prove why you go selected.

“Any time you have on the court is a gift and you have to prove why you’re there.”

2019 SA Premier League netball captains (Back row L-R) Georgia Beaton (Contax), Jessica Ward (Tango), Laura Packard (Matrics), Alyse Taylor (Metro Jets), Laura Scriven (Newton Jaguars). (Front row L-R) Teri Schubert (Metro Jets), Rachael Mitchell (Matrics), Esther Young (Garville), Lauren Gibbons (Oakdale), Brittany Bugg (Woods Panthers). Picture: *Sports in Focus

The 24-year-old relocated to Adelaide after being accepted into a Bachelor of Medicine degree at Flinders University and was keen to continue playing high-level netball.

Horsburgh arrives at Contax from Queensland’s state competition team Carina Leagues Tigers, which this year boasts Queensland Firebird squad members Alexia Baker, Leah Middleton and Amy Sommerville.

She says word of mouth is behind her landing at one of Adelaide’s most successful state league clubs.

“I just got really lucky, my coach in Queensland knew someone who knew someone and put me in touch with (Contax coach) Leanne Eichler,” Horsburgh says.

“It’s been a really great environment, everyone has been really nice. It’s a great competitive, competition and really professional.

“The competition in SA has been around for longer than the one I came from in Queensland, so you can tell the difference in terms of professionalism and sponsorship.

“But I was still very privileged in Brisbane, the club I was with was very good to me and it is a very strong club.”

In the first round of the Premier league Contax beat Garville 62-39, Matrics had a 55-48 win over Oakdale, Woods Panthers thrashed Newton Jaguars 62-43, while in the closest game of the round Tango just edged out Metro Jets 41-40.