Adelaide Thunderbirds


Adelaide Thunderbirds are an Australian professional netball team based in Adelaide, South Australia. Since 2017 they have played in Super Netball. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship and between 1997 and 2007, they played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Thunderbirds have won five premierships. They won their first two premierships in 1998 and 1999 during the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era, their third and fourth in 2010 and 2013 during ANZ Championship era, and their sixth in 2023, 2024 during the Super Netball era. Historically, Thunderbirds are one of Australia's most successful netball teams. Between 1997 and 2010 they finished in the top three of every regular season, and are the first and only team to win a Trophy at all 3 eras.
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History

Commonwealth Bank Trophy

Between 1997 and 2007, Adelaide Thunderbirds played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Adelaide Ravens, Melbourne Kestrels, Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Orioles, Queensland Firebirds, Sydney Sandpipers and Sydney Swifts, Thunderbirds were one of the founding members of the league. Thunderbirds were initially going to be named Adelaide Falcons but the name was changed at the request of the rugby union team.
Adelaide Thunderbirds and Adelaide Ravens represented Netball South Australia and each team was assigned four state league clubs to select players from. Thunderbirds were aligned with Cheerio, Contax, Matrics and Oakdale. With a team coached by former Contax head coach, Margaret Angove and a starting seven featuring Rebecca Sanders, Kathryn Harby-Williams, Jacqui Delaney, Sarah Sutter, Peta Squire, Cassie Mogg and Alex Hodge, Thunderbirds won their first two premierships and grand finals in 1998 and 1999.
;Regular season statistics
SeasonPositionWonDrawnLost
19972nd903
19981st1112
19991st1112
20001st1202
20011st1202
20022nd1202
20033rd1004
20042nd1202
20053rd1202
20062nd1103
20073rd806


ANZ Championship

Between 2008 and 2016, Thunderbirds played in the ANZ Championship. Natalie von Bertouch became the inaugural ANZ Championship Thunderbirds captain. She subsequently captained Thunderbirds to two ANZ Championship titles. In 2010, after finishing second during the regular season, they defeated the minor premiers, New South Wales Swifts, in the major semi-final and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the grand final. In 2013, Natalie von Bertouch captained Thunderbirds to their fourth premiership after they defeated Queensland Firebirds in the grand final.
;Regular season statistics

Super Netball

Since 2017, Thunderbirds have played in Super Netball. They had struggled in the competition, not making finals or finishing higher than 7th place until winning the grand finals in 2023 and 2024.
;Regular season statistics
SeasonPositionWonDrawnLost
20178th1013
20188th0014
20197th329
20207th509
20217th509
20227th509
20232nd914
20241st1103


Grand finals

;Commonwealth Bank Trophy
SeasonWinnersScoreRunners upVenue
1997Melbourne Phoenix58–48Adelaide ThunderbirdsThe Glasshouse
1998Adelaide Thunderbirds48–42Sydney SwiftsETSA Park
1999Adelaide Thunderbirds62–30Adelaide RavensETSA Park
2000Melbourne Phoenix52–51Adelaide ThunderbirdsThe Glasshouse
2001Sydney Swifts57–32Adelaide ThunderbirdsState Sports Centre
2002Melbourne Phoenix49–44Adelaide ThunderbirdsVodafone Arena
2006Sydney Swifts65–36Adelaide ThunderbirdsSydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

;ANZ Championship
SeasonWinnersScoreRunners upVenue
2009Melbourne Vixens54–46Adelaide ThunderbirdsHisense Arena
2010Adelaide Thunderbirds52–42Waikato Bay of Plenty MagicAdelaide Entertainment Centre
2013Adelaide Thunderbirds50–48Queensland FirebirdsAdelaide Entertainment Centre

;Super Netball
SeasonWinnersScoreRunners upVenue
2023Adelaide Thunderbirds60–59New South Wales SwiftsJohn Cain Arena
2024Adelaide Thunderbirds59–57Melbourne VixensAdelaide Entertainment Centre

Home venues

Thunderbirds have played the majority of their home games at the Netball SA Stadium. Due to sponsorship arrangements this venue has also be known as ETSA Park or Priceline Stadium. Thunderbirds have also played home games, including the 2010 and 2013 grand finals, at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Thunderbirds have also played home games at the Adelaide Arena. Thunderbirds played a 2019 Suncorp Super Netball Round 7 home match against Sunshine Coast Lightning at the Territory Netball Stadium. In 2024, the Thunderbirds moved all home games to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Team colours

During the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era, Thunderbirds main colour was silver. Between 2008 and 2010, when Thundersbirds were sponsored by Port Adelaide Football Club, they adopted their sponsors team colours of black, white, teal and silver. Ahead of the 2011 season, Thunderbirds announced they were changing their team colours to pink.
;Logos

Notable players

Internationals

Coaches

;Head Coaches
Years
Margaret Angove1997–2006
Tania Obst2007
Jane Woodlands-Thompson2008–2015
Michelle den Dekker2016
Kristy Keppich-Birrell2016
Dan Ryan2016–2018
Tania Obst2018–

;Assistant coaches
Years
Lisa Alexander2008–2011
Dan Ryan2012–2015

;Specialist coaches
Years
Jenny Borlase2016–2017
Natalie von Bertouch2018–

Premierships

Southern Force

Southern Force are the reserve team of Thunderbirds. They play in the Australian Netball League. In 2012 they were ANL Champions.