Adelaide Thunderbirds, the reigning champions of the Super Netball League, have strengthened their roster in a bid to retain their title by signing two prominent Jamaican international players, defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and goal-shooter Romelda Aiken-George.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds officially announced that Sterling-Humphrey has committed to the team for an additional three seasons, extending her contract until 2026. Meanwhile, Romelda Aiken-George has joined the club for the upcoming season.
Sterling-Humphrey, an exceptional defender, will embark on her sixth season with the Thunderbirds after the team clinched their first title in a decade. Her remarkable performance earned her the title of the league’s Most Valuable Player, solidifying her reputation as one of the sport’s premier defenders.
Pitre Bourdon, the Thunderbirds’ high-performance manager, expressed his excitement about retaining Sterling-Humphrey, stating, “Shamera has grown immensely during her time with the club and proved yet again what she’s capable of in our premiership season. She stepped up into a leadership role in 2023 and led our defensive end to new heights and successes.”
Led the league with an astounding 46 intercepts and 118 deflections
During the previous season, Sterling-Humphrey led the league with an astounding 46 intercepts and 118 deflections, ranking second for defensive rebounds with 38. She was also featured in the Team-of-the-Round on seven occasions and earned the goalkeeper position in the league’s Team-of-the-Year.
Aiken-George, a seasoned goal-shooter, will be representing her third club following her stints with the Queensland Firebirds from 2008 to 2022 and the New South Wales Swifts in the past season, where she played a pivotal role in securing a spot in the grand final.
Bourdon highlighted Aiken-George’s strengths, saying, “Romelda has been one of the game’s best-shooting targets for over a decade, and she proved that once again during the 2023 season. She brings significant experience to our relatively young attack end and consistently delivers high volume under the post.”
With the addition of Sterling-Humphrey and Aiken-George, the Adelaide Thunderbirds now boast a formidable roster, with three Jamaican players in their squad. Defender Latanya Wilson, another Jamaican talent, has also extended her contract with the team, further enhancing the Thunderbirds’ prospects for the upcoming season.
