AUSTRALIA has no shortage of netball talent with a host of players opting to ply their trade outside of the Suncorp Super Netball competition in Australia. This series takes a look at a number of players that are competing abroad, whether it be in the ANZ Premiership in New Zealand or Vitality Netball Superleague in the UK. Some players are making their way over to their respective competitions for the first time in the 2021 season while others have become household names given their long tenure with their club. This crop of players are lesser known but are exciting young up and coming prospects looking for regular court time in 2021.

Annika Lee-Jones – VNSL (Celtic Dragons)

197cm (GK/GS)

Not offered a position with Sunshine Coast Lightning for 2021, the developing defender has joined forces with the Dragons in the VNSL next season. The tall timber has an impressive lean over the shot and uses her height to full advantage to cause doubt in the feeders minds, especially when it comes to the high ball into the circle. Lee-Jones is able to body up on opponents and use her footwork to push the shooters high and force them to shoot from distance credit to her netball smarts. She also boasts the versatility to swing down the other end into goal shooter and pile on the goals, however this is less common with the 24-year-old more dominant defensively thanks to her read of the play and long limbs to disrupt the flow.

Sarahpheinna Woulf – ANZ (Southern Steel)

182cm (GD/GK/WD)

Having spent time with Sunshine Coast Lightning – both as a training partner and then later elevated to the main squad in 2018 before suffering a season ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury – Woulf is now set to cross the ditch and play with Southern Steel in 2021. The Steel struggled throughout the 2020 season and will be looking to use her versatility and explosiveness to full effect. Woulf is still a raw prospect but has plenty of x-factor given her adaptability and read of the play. Not only is she a threat to be reckoned with down in defence, but she has been known to ply her trade up in the shooting circle thanks to her silky movement and impressive timing to pop out at the last second.

Donnell Wallam – VNSL (Leeds Rhinos)

190cm (GS)

There is no denying that Wallam is an exciting prospect. Hailing from Western Australia, the former basketballer has not taken a step backwards since transitioning to netball and was recognised for efforts earning a call-up to be a training partner for the Fever. She showcased her firepower under the post in the preseason All-Stars game against the Fever where she used her height and accuracy at the post to dominate, nailing 50 goals. This will be her first season abroad, joining Leeds Rhinos which has somewhat of an Australian flavour given the recruitment of Madi Browne who is set to lead the midcourt and Dan Ryan as head coach. Wallam is still a raw prospect but has proven that she has the capacity to take the game on and command the ball under the post, averaging a staggering 63 goals per game in the Western Australian league, testament to her strong holds, silky footwork and read of the play.

Leah Middleton – VNSL (Surrey Storm)

(GD/GK)

The former Queensland Firebirds training partner has been a part of the VNSL scene for the past couple of seasons plying her trade down back for the Storm. Born in England, she called Australia home from a young age and has represented the nation at both Under 17s and 19 levels with many Australians claiming her as their own. She is a talented defender who is able to seamlessly transition between goal defence and goal keeper in a heartbeat. In her short career she has amassed plenty of accolades credit to her overall court coverage, long arms to get hands to ball and create turnovers while her tenacity is also key. Middleton is nimble, dancing around the court and using her long arms to full effect either over the shot or outside the circle to create confusion.

Related articles:

Part 1 // WA All-Stars v. Fever

Rhinos coach leading the charge for progress in the VNSL // ‘It’s about survival’: Surrey aim to weather the storm of 2020