Daughter of club legend earns debut selection in Thunderbirds Futures side

Young defender Jazmin McKay has taken another step in her netball journey, earning her first selection in the Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures side for this weekend.

The Futures will play a curtain closer to the Thunderbirds’ clash with the Giants on Sunday, June 8 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

The match will be particularly special for inaugural Thunderbird and club legend Sarah Sutter as she watches daughter Jazz line up with the Futures for the first time.

McKay has taken significant strides in her development in recent years, starring for South Australia in Netball SA’s state teams and for Contax Netball Club in the Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League.

At the 2025 National Netball Championships, the now 17-year-old led the SA 17U side to back-to-back gold medals.

With McKay as captain, the side went undefeated for the entire tournament, defeating Netball NSW in the final 33 – 26.

The defender not only won MVP of the grand final but was also named MVP of the tournament in the 17U division after a stellar campaign for South Australia.

Having represented her state in 2024, McKay said she understood what was required to succeed on the big stage.

“I knew this year at the National Championships I wanted to aim to go back-to-back with the team and just play the best I can to see where that could lead,” McKay said.

“Being a captain, you always want to give 100% and that was a big motivator for me which definitely helped create success on the field.”

McKay re-signed with local reigning champions Contax for 2025, after the Blues took out last season’s final of the 2024 Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League.

As they look to secure their third-consecutive premiership, the young defender is enjoying her time in the top division.

“It’s been really great so far learning off the older girls in the team with their experience, we have such a strong team, and they all have helped nurture me so far,” McKay said.

“Playing against the best of the best is definitely helping me improve and it’s been such a good experience so far.”

Daughter of Adelaide Thunderbird #2 and Diamond #113 Sarah Sutter, McKay is continuing to learn her craft and find further success from her mother’s knowledge of what it takes to play and compete at the highest level.

“I obviously want to follow in her footsteps, she is an inspiration to me,” McKay said.

“She is always giving me secret tips and tricks around the game and she’s there for me always.”

After dominating this year’s National Championships and taking her game to the next level, McKay earned herself a spot in the Thunderbirds Futures squad for 2025.

The experience has meant she’s trained with the Thunderbirds’ next generation of stars and learned from coaches and players within the Thundebirds environment.

As a new addition to the squad, she was yet to be selected in the team list for a match, until now.

“I’m so excited for the opportunity and everything I’ve learned so far with the Futures,” McKay said.

“Training with the group has been awesome. I think it’s going to really help me become a better player by learning from the best and having their knowledge passed down onto me.”

The Thunderbirds Futures will take on Vic Fury from 5:50pm on Sunday, June 8 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.