Leaving home may have been a daunting task for Adelaide Thunderbirds recruit Sam Gooden, but since joining her teammates in January, the young shooter has felt right at home.
After stints with fellow Suncorp Super Netball clubs the Melbourne Vixens and the Collingwood Magpies, Gooden signed with Adelaide ahead of the 2020 season.
“This is the first time I’ve lived so far from home and I was a bit fearful about being away from my family, but the girls have made me feel so welcome,” Gooden said.
“I knew Hannah (Petty), Charlee (Hodges) and Sasha (Glasgow) from national underage squads and have been coached by Tania and Cathy before, so it was really nice knowing I would have some people I already knew.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get on court with the girls.”
Gooden grew up in a sporting household on the Mornington Peninsula and after appearing in several representative sides, she joined the Victorian Netball League as a 15-year-old in the Under-19 division.
In 2014, the 190cm shooter was rewarded with her first inclusion in an Australian national underage squad, where she joined fellow Thunderbird Hannah Petty on a National U19 New Zealand tour.
After winning the Australian Netball League title with Victoria in 2016, she was named as training partner for Collingwood and made her debut in the inaugural SSN season in 2017.
In 2018, she joined the Melbourne Vixens as an injury replacement player before returning as a training partner for Collingwood in 2019.
“Suncorp Super Netball was such a step up from what I had done before, but I tried to take in as much as I could while I was there,” Gooden said.
“Every team I have been apart of has taught me something new that I take with me.
“I love learning from the best and playing with someone like Caitlin Thwaites, who is always sharing tips and giving feedback, was just an incredible environment to be part of.”
Getting used to a new team and new combinations can be challenging, but the dynamic goalie, who plays both GA and GS, has loved the start of her journey at Adelaide.
She felt her side’s new-look goal circle was making strong strides prior to the outbreak of COVID-19.
“I think one of the bets parts of the game is the chance to play with different people with different playing styles,” Gooden said.
“When we left (Adelaide to return home), I felt we were in the learning stages of working out each other’s game and it felt like we were getting there so I’m looking forward to getting back into training.
Now back at Priceline Stadium following her 14-day quarantine here in Adelaide, Gooden is keen to pick up where they left off.
“Lenize has an incredible leap and plays really differently to anyone else I’ve played with, so it has been fun figuring each other out,” Gooden said.
“I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to be part of this team and can’t wait to get out there and show everyone what we can do.”
