The design also pays tribute to the past with the revival of the colour silver, an original colour of the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Adelaide Thunderbirds General Manager Melody Cooper said, “It is important to recognise the contribution of past players to our club’s legacy and pay tribute to them by having all of their names on the 2019 dress.”
Hear what past Adelaide Thunderbirds player say about the tribute:
Erin Bell
“I think the dresses are amazing, such a tribute to the players who have represented the club in the past. When I first saw them, I felt immense pride and all my great memories of representing the Adelaide Thunderbirds came flooding back. To be able to call on such a rich history is something the current playing group should be really proud of, and hopefully give them the edge this year.”
Sarah Sutter
“WE are honoured that the Club has merged the past players with the new players, this demonstrates unity which is key to a successful club. It is a fantastic initiative and I am proud that current players are representing us as ‘one’.”
Demelza Fellowes
“I'm so grateful for netball and all that it's given me for over two decades, the friendships, the memories, the successes, the failures, the character. Even though I ended up experiencing a number of different clubs, I am certain I would not have been the player or person I am today if it was not for my time at the Adelaide Thunderbirds. The success mindset, work ethic, resilience and good old g'n'd you needed to be in that team, laid down by the Angove era, is what made the magic and the legacy carry on. To see a heritage dress with my name included alongside so many players who were my absolute heroes and team mates brings back hundreds of life shaping memories, smiles and tears and I only hope that the girls who get to wear it feel that bond and power behind them. My six years in that dress were simply sensational and some of the toughest but also most amazing of my life. My most cherished memories aren't necessarily the many victories, but the special moments. Running onto court at ETSA Park to Thunderstruck and 3000 screaming South Australians, team curry nights at Kathy Nelson's, surviving the Seacliff ramps or a Craigy conditioning, post-match debriefs over wine and wedges in the hotel lobby and match day purchase rituals. Being an Adelaide Thunderbird meant being unwavering and relentless in your belief that you would work hard, that you'd get on with your job and that you'd win and I loved every second of it.”
