Tassie apprentice keen to nail Thunderbirds chance

She’s an apprentice carpenter by trade, but Tassie young gun Charlotte Walker will down tools to chase her netball dream after signing as a training partner for Super Netball giants Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Burnie netballer Charlotte Walker has signed as a training partner with Adelaide Thunderbirds. Picture: David Bellamy

Chipping away at her Super Netball dream has paid off for apprentice carpenter Charlotte Walker after the Tasmanian was signed by Adelaide Thunderbirds as a training partner for next season.

And the back-to-back premiers are hopeful it’s just the tip of the iceberg as they look to forge a meaningful partnership with Netball Tasmania.

Eighteen-year-old north-west talent Walker, who plays for Devon in the Tasmanian Netball League, is just the second Tasmanian after Kelsie Rainbow (Collingwood) to be given a training partner chance with a Super Netball club.

The defender and fellow Tasmanians Paige O’Neill and Ellie Marshall were invited to train with the back-to-back premiers in June.

After catching the eye at under-19 nationals, Walker also impressed under Thunderbirds assistant coach Cathy Fellows during an Australian under-21 squad’s tour of Fiji in July.

Speaking at Ulverstone on Tuesday, Thunderbirds general manager of high performance Jace Bode recalled a moment when Walker was training with the team that sold his belief she can be a professional netballer.

Adelaide Thunderbirds GM high performance Jace Bode with Burnie netballer Charlotte Walker. Picture: David Bellamy

“She took a nice intercept in front of (Thunderbirds goal-attack) Georgia Horjus in one of the tricing sessions which caught my eye,” he said.

“It’s her natural ability there (that’s exciting), and we really believe we can get the best out of her.

“Charlotte’s fortunate she’s walking into a pretty strong defensive unit led by Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson, and Matilda Garrett who are all internationals in their own right. What better environment to learn from and also Cathy Fellows, who is her under-21s coach.

“She’ll be exposed in our Futures team, which is the SSN reserves competition. There is capacity to be elevated to the 11th player position (main squad) as well.

Charlotte Walker playing for Tasmania.

“She’s got three or four months to get over and prove herself, and we’ll see how that transpires.”

Known for her intercepting and ability to read the play, Walker said she’ll be happy to down tools as she looks to further impress the Super Netball heavyweights.

“It does mean the apprenticeship has to go on hold, but they’re very supportive,” Walker said.

“I had no idea it was coming when I got the message, it was a massive shock. It was always a hope and a dream.

“I hope it just improves me as a player and from there, potentially get picked up in a full time contract.

Burnie netballer Charlotte Walker has signed as a training partner with Adelaide Thunderbirds. Picture: David Bellamy

“Coming from the north-west it’s harder to get looked at, starting at Burnie and then heading to Devon in State League, but the coaching has really helped me out.

“I’m looking forward to just getting over there, getting to know the girls and the staff better. I

Netball Tasmania CEO Mitch Coulson told News Corp in July, after the state opted not to field a team in the national championships, they were keen to forge an ongoing relationship with the Thunderbirds.

A deal is already in place for Melbourne Mavericks to host games in Tasmania.

“We’ve had good conversations with Mitch about what a relationship between Tasmania and the Thunderbirds potentially looks like,” Bode said.

Tasmanians Paige O'Neill and Charlotte Walker were both chosen in the Australian under-21 squad to tour Fiji, and trained with Adelaide Thunderbirds. Picture: Minch Media

“We know there’s some really good young talent coming through, so we’re certainly keen to see how that transpires over the next 12 months.

“Hopefully getting Charlotte is the start of something promising between Netball Tasmania and Netball SA.

“I’m hoping it can be mutually beneficial, absolutely. From our perspective it’s on the competition and the teams to develop netball across Australia.

“While we’re really respectful of the relationship the Mavericks have within Tasmania, we’re conscious of the fact there’s some top end talent down here we’re keen to have in our environment, and look at closely.”

Coulson hopes Walker’s signing helps open the door for more to follow suit.

“It sends a message to young netballers across the state that if you put in the time and effort that great things can happen for you,” he said.

“They’re the back-to-back premiers and the best netball team in the world right now. It’s a great environment for Charlotte to immerse herself in.”