ANC: New name for reigning Champs, 2023 squad announced

The reigning Australian Netball Champions will enter the 2023 competition with a new name as South Australia’s ‘Southern Force’ becomes the ‘Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures’.

As the stepping stone to the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Netball SA made the decision to rebrand the side to strengthen its position in the South Australian pathway.

“Southern Force has a rich history in South Australia and has played a key role in preparing our local athletes for the national stage,” Netball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei said.

“Our five South Australians currently contracted to the Adelaide Thunderbirds played for the Southern Force and this rebrand recognises these athletes as the future of netball in our state.

“We were incredibly proud to bring home the gold in last year’s competition and we’re confident our 2023 side have the talent and passion to defend the title.”

Following the success of 2022, head coach Jacqui Illman and assistant Jenny Borlase have been reappointed in their roles for 2023.

Netball SA has also announced it’s 2023 squad, which includes seven athletes who have been a part of the Adelaide Thunderbirds’ training partner program:

• Chelsea Blackman
• Sophie Casey
• Lauren Frew
• Kayla Graham
• Jessie Grenvold
• Tyler Orr
• Molly Watson *not an official training partner in 2023, however the club has managed Watson’s rehabilitation of an ACL injury she sustained in 2022 in conjunction with the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI)

It also features 14 athletes who are part of the SASI scholarship program for netball for 2023:

• Chelsea Blackman
• Sophie Casey
• Kaili Cook-Shackles
• Lucy Denton
• Lauren Frew
• Poppy Gilfillan-Silk
• Kayla Graham
• Jessie Grenvold
• Brooke Irlam
• Olivia Nicholls
• Tyler Orr
• Tabitha Packer
• Lucy Voyvodic
• Molly Watson

The 2023 Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures squad:

*Subject to fitness