New Zealand netball shooter Maria Folau signs on with Adelaide Thunderbirds
ONE of New Zealand’s best shooters has joined the worst team in the 2018 Super Netball competition as the Adelaide Thunderbirds look to rebuild after two disastrous seasons.
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ONE of New Zealand’s best shooters has joined the worst team in the 2018 Super Netball competition as the Adelaide Thunderbirds look to quickly rebuild after two disastrous seasons.
The Thunderbirds finished last in 2017 with just a single win in the 14 game regular season before recording a winless season in Super Netball 2018 for the first time in the 21-year club history.
Folau, the wife of rugby star Israel Folau, has been granted a special exemption to play in the Australian competition while still being considered for Silver Ferns duties ahead of next years World Cup in the UK.
Her inclusion in the Thunderbirds side will significantly boost the Adelaide club’s hopes of succes in 2019.
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“I will feel like a kid at a new school. I’m so excited to join the team, and really be
challenged,’’ said Folau, who has been living in Sydney with her husband and is currently preparing for the Constellation Cup against Australia starting in Brisbane next week.
“It will be a new team, new dynamics, new playing styles, so this is a real game-changer for
me to challenge myself and play the best netball that I can.”
Folau is one of the last players to be signed for Super Netball 2019.
The Giants and Lightning both lost star shooters at the end of the 2018 season but pursued other options to fill the void.
When Susan Pettitt retired her spot at the Giants was filled by Australian captain and Lightning star Caitlin Bassett who has signed on for three years.
Sunshine Coast Lightning, coached by new New Zealand coach Noeline Taurua, signed Ugandan star Peace Proscovia.
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“Maria brings a wealth of experience and a world class quality to our team. The contribution she will make to our attacking end will be significant as well as the added value of working with our two young South Australian shooters,’’ said new Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst.
Folau is one of numerous changes to the Thunderbirds side for 2019 with defender Layla Guscoth joining fellow English teammates Chelsea Pitman and Beth Cobden in the team.