ANOTHER day, another round of big Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) signings with Adelaide Thunderbirds confirming a talented young gun is joining the ranks, while other clubs continued to roll out their returning talents.
First up was the Adelaide Thunderbirds, getting in early with the huge confirmation of youngster Tippah Dwan signing with the club for 2022. The talented goal attack alerted Queensland Firebirds during the week of her intent for more court time, heading down to Adelaide on a one-year contract and looking to showcase her impact and accuracy in pink next season.
Thunderbirds High Performance Manager Pitre Bourdon is excited about what the developing, versatile talent can bring to the team.
“Tippah is a very dynamic and agile player who will bring great netball smarts to our attack end,” Bourdon said. “We’ve seen what she’s capable of over the past two SSN seasons and we’re very excited to welcome her to our club.”
Sunshine Coast Lightning has re-signed midcourter Mahalia Cassidy, with the centre forging great partnerships through the midcourt during her maiden season with the club in 2021, and looking forward to further building up her versatility.
“What I love about Lightning is that everyone is there to improve and win but also support each other along the way,” Cassidy said. “I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of wing defence this year and building on those connections and relationships across the court. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can build on in the offseason and bring into 2022.”
Melbourne Vixens have made two announcements, firstly confirming that Kadie-Ann Dehaney has signed with a different, yet-to-be confirmed club in 2022. The Jamaican goal keeper is a tenacious and evasive product, hoping to achieve further court time next season. General Manager – Vixens, Performance and Pathways, Rebekah Webster thanked Dehaney for her contribution.
“Kadie-Ann came to the Vixens as a shy 20-year-old, straight off the plane from Jamaica, and it’s been a pleasure to watch her grown on and off the court,” Webster said.
“She has taken on any challenge that has come her way and taken learnings from every training session and game across the last five years.
“We wish her all the best at her new club, and thank her for her dedication to the Vixens in her time here.”
Meanwhile, the Vixens also put fans’ nerves to rest with the return of Malawian sharpshooter Mwai Kumwenda, with the fan favourite set to pull on Vixens colours for a sixth season.
“Playing for the Vixens was always a dream for me, and I am very happy to sign on with the team and continue my netball here,” Kumwenda said. “I learn new things every day at the Vixens with Simone McKinnis as my coach and my sisters like Kate Moloney and Lizzy Watson helping me get better every game.
“I love playing for the Vixens. As I am so far away from home, I am so grateful to the players, coaches and staff who are my family away from Malawi. I am so happy to have met so many lovely people and cannot wait to do my best to help the team.”
Former Vixens speedster Allie Smith has signed with the NSW Swifts, adding an extra layer of midcourt skill to the 2021 premiers’ already stacked centre court group. Head coach Briony Akle said it was 21-year-old Smith’s achievements and intent in her short time at SSN level that caught the eye.
“It is very rare that you get the opportunity to sign a player who is not only so young, but who also has a proven ability at this level,” Akle said. “With a much shorter pre-season next year and some changes to our squad we needed to secure a player who can hit the ground running for a title defence.
“Allie is a specialist WD who really impressed us when we chatted to her and I think she will be a great fit for the group. She has a wonderful way of harrying opposition attacks and never gives up when chasing possession.
“Allie stood out for the Vixens in their premiership campaign last year and backed up again in 2021 in a squad that was rebuilding. The Vixens are a champion outfit so Allie already knows what high-performance sport is all about and I cannot wait to welcome her into the Swifts environment.”
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2021 SSN signing update: 22/9 | 2021 SSN signing update: 21/9 | 2021 SSN signing update: 20/9
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Picture credit: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images
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[…] by replacing the departing Kadie-Ann Dehaney with West Coast Fever’s Olivia Lewis. The Vixens announced yesterday that Dehaney had informed them of obtaining a contract with another SSN club and the Sunshine Coast Lightning confirmed this morning that they had welcome Dehaney into the […]