Melbourne Mavericks goal shooter Shimona Jok re-signs with new franchise as she is honoured as club champion

Shimona Jok wasn’t sure what her netball future held at the end of last year after initially being overlooked for a 2024 Super Netball contract. Now, she’s got a new deal on the table and has been awarded a top club honour.

Shimona Jok will spearhead the Mavericks’ attack again next Super Netball season, signing to play on for the Melbourne franchise in 2025 as she was honoured as its inaugural club champion less than a year after she was almost ready to walk away from the sport.

Cashing in on her late call-up to the Mavericks this year, the Jamaican goal shooter said she was “grateful” to lock in a new one-year deal after finishing the club’s first campaign as the team’s player of the year.

It is a remarkable rebound for the towering shooter, who had considered turning her back on the sport after she was initially overlooked for a 2024 Super Netball contract following the demise of the Collingwood Magpies.

Jok was offered a career lifeline by the Mavericks when she signed up as a training partner in January before she was elevated to the club’s active roster in April as its 11th player after the season-ending leg injury to fellow goaler Sasha Glasgow.

The 25-year-old didn’t waste her opportunity, cementing herself as a strong target under the post as the Mavericks just missed the Super Netball finals in their first year.

Jok said she could not have fought back on court as she did this season without the backing of her support crew.

“It’s been a long season, but I’m just grateful,” Jok said about her new deal.

Mavericks goal shooter Shimona Jok. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“To get the opportunity to sign a contract, it’s unbelievable to be honest. I never actually knew what this year was going to be like and to get this opportunity, I’m very happy.

“Me wanting to step away from netball (last year) was a crazy thing as a thought, but then going through the moment and feeling undervalued and under-appreciated for how long I’ve been here, for my consistency, those thoughts are automatically going to come.

“It’s been a huge ride. If it weren’t for the people around me I would not have been where I am because I was mentally broken.

“It’s just the support that has gotten me through this year, reassuring me that it was going to be OK and just ticking away at what you can control, showing up and being positive.”

Jok was acknowledged as the Mavericks’ club champion on Sunday night ahead of runner up, defender Kim Jenner, and captain Amy Parmenter.

She said she was humbled by the individual honour, but her mentality was always team first.

Shimona Jok in action for the Mavericks. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

“It’s remarkable to be honest, but for me I’m always team first. Whatever the team requires of me, I will always do that,” Jok said.

“Some of it you may take it as personal growth, but I’m just for the team to be honest. I get fired up for the team, I get my energy from the team.”

Jok’s signing came after the Mavericks parted ways with shooter Gabby Sinclair, who was not offered a contract for the 2025.

There was always going to be a squeeze on for spots in the attacking end for next season with Glasgow’s comeback from injury and Eleanor Cardwell contracted.

Jok said she felt for Sinclair.

“We do feel for Gabs, it is very heartbreaking,” Jok said.

“We do know it’s a sport and we move on, but for someone we have latched around and loved so much, we do feel for her.”

Jok said she was excited to help take the Mavericks a step further next season after just falling short in their debut year.

“We almost had the opportunity to be in finals, unfortunately in the first half (of the season) we were trying to find our feel, but eventually we did,” Jok said.

“We have a full pre-season ahead of us so that we can work on those one-percenters to make our game so much better to make it so seamless.

“In the second half of the season, we found our feet and found our connections and found how much we can push each other and found what barriers we can break.”

Originally published as Melbourne Mavericks goal shooter Shimona Jok re-signs with new franchise as she is honoured as club champion