Midcourter Sienna Burns rejoins Newton Jaguars for Netball SA Premier League season 2023

One of SA’s brightest young netball stars has committed to her Premier League club as she gears up for a breakout season in 2023.

One of South Australia’s outstanding young netball prospects has committed to her club for Netball SA Premier League season 2023.

Sienna Burns – who was selected for the Australia U17s squad last season – has signed on with the Newton Jaguars after a dominant year through the midcourt for the club’s reserves and Premier League sides.

The 17-year-old star said she felt at home with the Jaguars and that she was eager to push for a breakout Premier League season.

“It feels really good to be locked in for next season – my relationship with the girls is really strong and there are a lot of junior girls performing really well so it’s an exciting time,” Burns said.

“I’ve been at the Jags since I was 11 or 12 so it wasn’t a hard decision, the club is like a second home to me.

“I’m really aiming to make the Premier League team consistently and I’m aiming to produce good performances every week.”

Newton Jaguars young gun Sienna Burns has committed to the club for next season after a terrific 2022. Picture: Matt Turner.

Burns impressed through the 2022 season as a midcourter, linking up with her defenders and attackers seamlessly and catching the attention of state and national recruiters as a result.

She said her experience representing SA and with the Australian U17s had provided motivation to further develop her game.

“It was a really new experience for me as my first time travelling with the state squad and it opened my eyes up to what that level looks like,” Burns said.

“Some of those girls from SA and other states are crazy impressive and it was great to play with them and learn from them once I found my feet.

Burns made a name for herself as one of Australia’s top young midcourters in 2022, dominating for SA and forming part of the Australia U17s squad. Picture: Matt Turner.

“That experience definitely made me hungrier – I didn’t know how far I could go until I saw that kind of pathway so now I’m eager to improve and get to the highest level I can.”

The Jaguars experienced a challenging 2022 Premier League campaign, winning one of their 14 games but have responded proactively in the offseason by re-signing Burns and captain Brooke McDonnell - two players who could combine to make a formidable duo in the midcourt next season.

Despite its struggles, Burns believed the club could be more competitive in 2023.

“I think all the girls within our squad have something so unique to offer on and off the court and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do once we gel,” she said.

“We’re very much the underdogs heading in to next year but there’s a great buzz around the club and everyone is ready to make some noise.

“We’re a very exciting group.”