Shamera Sterling-Humphrey will miss the remainder of the season due to pregnancy, Thunderbirds name Sanmarie Visser to replace

Adelaide Thunderbirds have confirmed that star Shamera Sterling-Humphrey is pregnant and will miss the remainder of the season. And they’ve locked in an international replacement too.

Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (R) is pregnant. Picture: Getty

Adelaide Thunderbirds have confirmed the hottest rumour in Super Netball circles, announcing star defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey’s pregnancy and absence for the remainder of the season.

Sterling-Humphrey, who will be replaced by South African international Sanmarie Visser on the Thunderbirds roster, said she was excited for the next chapter with husband Andrew.

“I’m so excited to be having a little one and getting the opportunity to be back with my husband for this special moment – I know I’ll be a great mum,” Sterling-Humphrey said.

“I’ll miss being out on court this season, but I’ll continue supporting the team while I prepare for the arrival of our new family member.”

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Rumours had been circulating about Sterling-Humphrey for some time but the Jamaican star’s emotional reaction to sharing the court with fellow Sunshine Girl Romelda Aiken-George in her record-breaking 233rd national league match - a game Sterling-Humphrey would have known was also her last for a while - sent talk into overdrive.

Shamera Sterling-Humphrey is pregnant and will miss the remainder of the Super Netball season. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

Thunderbirds General Manager of High Performance Jace Bode said the club was thrilled for the two-time premiership winner and her family.

“We know how much this means to Shamera and Andrew and we’re so excited for them to grow their family,” Bode said.

“As a team, we’ve loved having Romelda’s daughter Gigi around over the past two seasons and we look forward to meeting the newest member of the T-Birds family later this year.

“We will continue to support Shamera as she remains a significant part of our team, and we look forward to having her back on court in 2026.”

Visser, who was originally drafted into the side as injury replacement for Aiken-George after her pre-season knee cleanout, made her debut for the Proteas in a series against Jamaica in January, catching the eye of Thunderbirds officials.

Sanmarie Visser of South Africa replaces Shamera Sterling-Humphrey on the Thunderbirds roster. Picture: Sanka Vidanagama/NurPhoto via Getty Images

She has massive shoes to fill though, stepping in for Sterling-Humphrey, the woman regarded as the best defender in world netball.

Visser will travel to Sydney with the team for the Thunderbirds’ clash against the Giants in Sydney on Saturday and is likely to come off the bench, with coach Tania Obst having plenty of depth at her disposal.

“It’s been great having her here as a training partner and then before that coming in as a temporary replacement player when Romelda was recovering from her knee surgery,” Obst said.

“She’s shown some great versatility that she can bring to our team and we’re really excited for her to have this opportunity.”

It’s likely Diamonds defender Tilly Garrett, who has had an outstanding start to the season will wear the goalkeeper bib, with Latanya Wilson moving into the circle at goal defence, with captain Hannah Petty at wing defence.

Obst would not confirm her starting side for the Giants clash but said the team’s depth and versatility would be called on in coming weeks and she and her players were excited at the challenge they were facing.

“What we know with our team is that we have versatility and Sanmarie actually brings that versatility even more being able to play in the back three positions,” Obst said.

“Obviously Tilly (Garrett) and Latty (Latanya Wilson) can roll through the circle as well and we’ve shown that we can play different styles - and we’ve shown through Team Girls Cup how our versatility can stand up in that arena.

“So really looking forward to the opportunities that are going to present.”