Romela Aiken-George retires, ending 18-season career with four national netball premierships
Netball great Romelda Aiken-George has reflected on her journey arriving in Australia as a “scared” teenager from Jamaica to one of the game’s superstars after calling time on her 18-season career.
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Netball great Romelda Aiken-George has reflected on her journey arriving in Australia as a “scared” teenager from Jamaica to one of the game’s goaling superstars after calling time on her remarkable 18-season career.
After almost two decades as one of the most dominant goal shooters – firstly in the former trans-Tasman league and then Super Netball – the Adelaide Thunderbirds star confirmed her retirement in an emotional announcement on Wednesday.
At the age of 36, Aiken-George said her body was ready for a “time out” after a career in Australia spanning three clubs and 245 games.
Aiken-George retires as one of the game’s greatest ever goalers; a four-time premiership player and winner of multiple league MVP awards.
She played her last Super Netball match in the Thunderbirds’ home semi-final loss to the Melbourne Vixens two weeks ago.
“I’m sad to be leaving the game I love, but I think it’s the right time and my body is ready for a time out,” Aiken-George said.
“My body has always come through for me so many times over the years and it’s time for me to now show my body I care about it and give it the rest it needs.”
Starting her netball career in Australia in 2008, Aiken-George became a trailblazer for a string of Jamaican stars to play in Australia, including Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson.
Aiken-George spent 15 years with the Firebirds – where she won three titles as well as three league MVP awards – a season with the Swifts in 2023 before moving to the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2024 where she won a premiership in her first season with the club.
She delivered a match-winning performance in last year’s premiership win over the Vixens to be named the grand final MVP.
“When I look back at my career I think of the challenges and the sacrifices I’ve made, especially leaving my family in Jamaica, and I think about the family I’ve made here in Australia,” Aiken-George said.
“When I look back, I think about all the wins and losses, the championships, the hard conversations, the fun times in the changerooms and everything we take for granted when we’re in it.
“I’m going to miss being with people who are fighting for the same thing but I’m so proud of myself and so grateful for everything I’ve been through that’s made me stronger.”
In round three this year, Aiken-George became the most-capped player across the ANZ Championship and Super Netball competitions with 233, surpassing fellow netball great Geva Mentor.
Later in the season, she became just the second player to reach 9000 national league goals, joining fellow Jamaican Fowler-Nembhard.
Aiken-George reflected on her decision to make the move to the other side of the world to play netball, turning her back on the opportunity to play basketball in the United States.
But she ultimately believed netball had been her “calling”.
“It was daunting, I was obviously very scared,” Aiken-George said of the move to Australia.
“I remember before I came here, myself and my sister got a scholarship to go to America to play basketball and my sister went over very early and I was meant to come in the second semester of her starting college and I remember I didn’t go.
“Then I got the opportunity to come to Australia. I feel like my calling was to stay with netball …. I think it was the best decision.”
Aiken-George welcomed daughter Gianna with husband Daniel in 2022 and said she had helped bring “perspective” to her life.
“It’s hard to find words for how important Gigi has been for me too,” she said.
“She’s given me perspective on life, and I’ve loved seeing everyone love her like I do.
Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst paid tribute to Aiken-George’s career.
“Romelda has brought great insights and experience to our team along with her infectious personality,” Obst said.
“Her MVP performance in the 2024 grand final was sensational, being such a strong and imposing presence within the goal circle.
“Romelda leaves netball with an incredible legacy built on passion and perseverance.
“She has inspired netballers all over the world that anything is possible – something which she should be very proud of.”
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Originally published as Romela Aiken-George retires, ending 18-season career with four national netball premierships
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