The Adelaide Thunderbirds have welcomed a club great and netball icon to their coaching ranks with former captain Erin Bell joining as a Specialist Coach for 2025.
Among the most decorated national netballers, Bell became the first player in ANZ Championship history to win three premierships, two of those with the Thunderbirds.
The dynamic GA/WA/GS became Thunderbird #50 in 2010, the same year in which the club won its third national title.
The following year, Bell debuted for the Australian Diamonds at the 2011 Netball World Cup in Singapore, etching her name in the history books as Diamond #156.
“I have missed Adelaide since the moment that I left it, so it is really nice to be back,” Bell said.
“I’m coming on board as specialist goalie coach, sticking with what I know because the girls are flying as it is.
“I think Tania was looking for someone to come in and be a different voice to give the girls a little more support, specifically in that goalie end.”
In 2013, Bell helped secure the club’s fourth premiership alongside icons Carla Borrego, Nat von Bertouch, Sharni Layton and Rebecca Bulley in a thriller against the Queensland Firebirds.
After four years with the Thunderbirds, she earned her first captaincy selection in 2016 and was reappointed to the role in 2017 in the new Suncorp Super Netball league.
“I played the best netball of my career with the Thunderbirds, and I have so many great memories – it’s so nice to come back and remember that part of my life,” Bell said.
“Having those two premierships with the Thunderbirds and the friendships that I made are a huge part of what I reflect on during my time here.
“I can see that with this group of girls as well and that is why they’ve had that success because they genuinely like spending time together and I remember that’s how we were when we played.”
Bell has since transitioned into coaching where she has completed her Advanced Coaching Accreditation, bringing with her a wealth of experience and knowledge to the side’s attack end.
She has been involved in the Victorian Netball League for the last seven years as a Specialists and Assistant Coach before becoming the Head Coach of the Casey Demons.
Bell said she is excited to work with the Thunderbirds goalies ahead of the 2025 season.
“I’m excited to work with all the athletes,” Bell said.
“You have Romelda who has been around a while and someone who I actually played against and then you have Kayla Graham who is the newbie on the scene and fresh and ready to go.
“You also have Georgie, who is just so humble and so quiet; she just goes about her business, and I love watching Georgie train and the intensity and calmness that she brings.”
“I’m really excited to see how I can contribute to that next generation.”
