Home grown talent Lauren Frew has achieved her life-long dream of becoming an Adelaide Thunderbird after being elevated from a first-year training partner to a contracted player for 2024.
Rising through Netball SA’s Pathways, Frew has had a decorated junior career, building a lengthy list of accolades along the way.
Despite her many successes, she admitted it was not without setbacks.
“My pathway was different to a lot of the girls here, I started off as a short, little goalie and I didn’t make the state teams until Under 19s,” Frew said.
“I think you just have to keep going and if you have those setbacks, you can use them to push yourself to try harder and go for it again the next year.”
A Star is born
The six-foot-two shooter made her way through the ranks with the Matrics Netball Club, having played there since she was nine years old.
Frew acknowledged the Stars for molding her into the netballer she is today and for pushing her to compete at the highest level.
“The Matrics Netball Club has played a huge role in my netball journey,” Frew said.
“I have been playing at the club since I was a little girl… not only did I want to play at my best for myself, but I also wanted to play well for my teammates and coaches.
“The connections I have developed since I was young really helped me improve week in and week out.”
The emerging Thunderbird thanked her coaching mentor Jacqui Illman for always bringing out the best in her, both on and off the court.
“I had quite a lot of coaches during my journey with Matrics, but one that sticks out to me was Jacqui Illman,” Frew said.
“I was very lucky to have been coached by her for many years and she definitely played a major role in my development as an athlete.”
In 2020, Frew was named the MVP of The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League Reserves division and won Rookie of the Year in the League division in 2021.
Reunited in pink
The 22-year-old will now reunite with her good friend and former Matrics teammate Lucy Austin, as the pair look to be a formidable target in the team’s front court this season.
“I’m just so happy to be back playing alongside Luce,” Frew said.
“With her by my side I feel like we can do great things this year.
“She is always smiling and just makes me feel so comfortable and confident, allowing me to play at the best of my abilities.”
Austin and Frew representing the Adelaide Thunderbirds FuturesA dream come true
Frew admitted she was shocked when head coach Tania Obst delivered the news that she would become a contracted player for 2024.
“I went into my meeting with Tania thinking ‘what can I improve on’ and then she sat me down and told me I got a contract,” Frew said.
“I was lost for words, it was so exciting, to finally get recognized, I felt like I had finally made it.
“It doesn’t feel real just yet because I haven’t played any matches, but I’m really excited for the year ahead.”
Set to make her Suncorp Super Netball debut in 2024, Frew is excited to contribute to the Thunderbirds front court in their pursuit of back-to-back premierships.
“It was all very new becoming a training partner last year but now, having that year under my belt, it feels more natural being in this environment,” Frew said.
“The goal is obviously to win matches and to try and defend the title from last year and I think personally, I just want to be as confident as I can, play with freedom and try my hardest every game.”
