By Henry Milic
Most recently capped Thunderbird #111, Kayla Graham is hoping to create her own legacy in pink this season, after earning her debut Suncorp Super Netball contract for 2025.
Graham has been a training partner with the Thunderbirds for the past two years, now the 20-year-old said she is excited and ready for the challenge of being a contracted athlete.
“I’m very grateful and honored for the opportunity,” Graham said.
“It’s been great being around the girls for the last two years, getting to know the game plan and seeing how things work, so that has made the transition easier becoming a contracted player.
“I’ve gone from watching these girls on TV growing up, so to now be playing alongside them has been a dream of mine since I was little.”
Graham started her netball journey at five years old whilst living in Kingscliff NSW, before moving to Hong Kong with her family.
The dream of becoming a professional netballer was inspired by her mother, who once represented Hong Kong in the 2003 Jamaica Netball World Cup.
“I wore her Hong Kong dress at training last year as a part of Heritage Round just to show that, because of her, I started playing netball and she was always someone I looked up to as a little girl,” Graham said.
“To hear that she played for Hong Kong and at a high level has definitely played a huge part in forging my own netball journey, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Graham moved to Adelaide in 2019 where she started playing for the Contax Netball Club.
However, the attacker admitted it wasn't an easy run to get to where she is now, having been overlooked on several occasions.
“I didn’t get into any of the state teams initially, so I was a bit of a late bloomer. I missed out on Under 15s, Under 17s and it wasn’t until my top age with the Under 17s that I finally made the team, but COVID cancelled the event,” Graham said.
“I finally made my debut with the Under 19s for South Australia and that was where it all took off for me.
“It has been a bit of a roller coaster, and it hasn’t just been smooth sailing, but I have been pretty lucky to not have had too many injuries.”
In Round 8 of 2024 against the Queensland Firebirds, Graham made her Thunderbirds debut where she was capped as Thunderbird #111.
Coming into the game at goal attack, Graham admits that stepping out on court for the first time as a Thunderbird was a surreal moment.
Graham in her Thunderbirds debut in Round 8 of the 2024 SSN Season.“It’s hard not to be nervous in those moments and I remember all my friends and family back home saying ‘you looked so nervous on TV’,” Graham said.
“It didn’t feel real until I was out on the court and then once I got into the game, it all became just like a normal game of netball.
“It was pretty cool though being out there with all the people you have watched on TV growing up and some of your idols.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win, but it was still an amazing experience, and I will never forget it.”
The WA/GA acknowledged that training with Thunderbirds’ defenders Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson and Matilda Garrett has prepared her for the world’s best.
“It’s not every day that you can say that you have trained against Latty, Shamera and Tilly, they are all such amazing players,” Graham said.
“I have taken so much on board, and I have the mindset that if I can play and compete against them, I can compete against anyone.”
Graham has kept busy in the SSN off-season having represented Australia in its 21U team.
The side travelled to Canberra in January to compete in a Tri-Series against England and New Zealand led by Head Coach Cathy Fellows.
Now, Graham looks to bring her skill set to this year’s side as they pursue a third-consecutive premiership.
“I think I just want to back myself and my abilities, I know I have done the work to get here, and can't wait for the season to start,” Graham said.
“I just want to learn as much as I can, obviously I’m one of the younger players in the league but I want to take in everything and be a sponge, absorbing everything and just put my best foot forward.”
