South Australian young gun and Thunderbirds training partner Sophie Casey has been crowned with the 2024 Most Valuable Player Award for the Thunderbirds Futures side.
The 20-year-old picked up the award for the second-consecutive year, on the back of standout performances throughout the SN Reserves competition.
Fellow South Australian and Thunderbirds Futures Captain Tyler Orr was acknowledged by her teammates for her commitment, winning the team’s Players’ Player Award.
Suncorp Super Netball introduced its Reserves pilot program in 2024 with 7 teams competing over five rounds between June 1 to July 7.
The program provided additional pathway opportunities for Netball SA athletes, including training partners and State League players.
The Thunderbirds Futures side started their campaign on a high, defeating Sunshine Coast Lighting Reserves in Round 1 by 9 points.
In Round 2 the side lost to West Coast Fever Reserves by one point but bounced back in Round 3 to defeat the Giants Reserves 72 -49.
Round 4 saw the Futures take court at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre where they defeated Victorian Fury 67 -56.
The Thunderbirds Futures travelled to Sydney to play at Ken Rosewall Arena in Round 5 where they were defeated by the QBE Swifts Reserves.
