The Adelaide Thunderbirds have elevated South Australian midcourter Sophie Casey, offering the 21-year-old her first official Suncorp Super Netball contract.
An Adelaide local, Casey has come through the Netball SA Pathway and is a premiership player for Matrics Netball Club in The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League.
She captained SA’s 19U side who won gold in 2023, in the same year she earned her first selection as an Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner.
Casey became Thunderbird #107 during the 2023 season as an injury replacement player and picked up back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards for the Thunderbirds Futures side in 2023 and 2024.
In 2025, she was named the club’s 11th player, adding versatility and depth to the side’s midcourt and defensive units.
Casey was first selected in the side’s game day team in Round 4 where she remained until the minor semi-final on July 20.
She played 11 games across centre and wing defence, picking up 275.5 Nissan Net Points, 11 deflections and 6 intercepts.
In July this year, she was named in the 2025 Australian 21U national squad, in preparation for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup.
Adelaide Thunderbirds General Manager of High Performance Jace Bode said Casey had earned her place in the 10.
“We’re rapt to have another South Australian athlete in Sophie sign on for season 2026,” Bode said.
“Sophie took her opportunities this season and stepped up in big moments, particularly in our semi-final against the Vixens.
“She leaves no stone unturned in being the best athlete and person she can be, and we’re excited to see her elevate her game again in 2026.”
Casey joins already contracted athletes Lauren Frew, Matilda Garrett, Kayla Graham, Georgie Horjus, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Tayla Williams, and Latanya Wilson on the side’s list for 2026.
