By Amanda Myler
Lured by a desire to return to the netball court after the birth of her first child, Steph Fretwell has been named in a Thunder squad determined to secure a maiden premiership after joining the league in 2019.
"Having retired last year from Suncorp Super Netball, I have no intention, no intention at all, to go back to that level," Fretwell said.
"I’m not back to full training yet and still need to get cleared (post-pregnancy), but I’d love to be able to contribute. I’m not in any rush, and will just listen to my body."
Life has inevitably changed direction for Fretwell and her husband Marcus following the birth of Hallie in April.
Fretwell admits becoming a mother has been the hardest role she’s played, yet undoubtedly the most rewarding.
Speaking about Shamera Sterling-Humphrey’s public battle with postpartum depression, Fretwell said the world’s best goal keeper was to be applauded for her openness and honesty.
"Postnatal anxiety was something I didn’t realise I had at the time," Fretwell said.
"I didn’t expect it to hit, and the hormone crash is insane. I can rationalise something after the fact, but when you’re hit with it..."
Hallie was around four weeks old, around the time Fretwell said she started to feel better, when Sterling-Humphrey left the court in tears for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in their match against the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
"Shamera came off at halftime crying, and spoke about it (depression)," Fretwell said.
"I think that she is so brave and impressive, to be so vulnerable. For me, I didn’t seek professional help but I had people to talk to about it and how normal that feeling is. I think if any of my friends had a baby now, I’d check in on them much more than I would have previously."
While Fretwell is not officially training just yet, she’s never far from a netball court as the current assistant coach of the Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts, which is eyeing a finals berth in the Super Netball Reserves competition.
There’s a strong crossover of players between the Bolts and Thunder, including a number of talented Lightning training partners to keep an eye on over the next 12 months.
"I’ve seen a real shift in Jada Delaney," Fretwell said.
"She’s grown competitively, and is pushing herself to the next level. I also think Baylee Boyd has grown, helped by having played in Fast5 with Kim Green and Laura Langman, so I’ve seen a massive improvement in her."
Round one of the 2026 HART Premier Netball League Sapphire Series begins this Sunday, June 7, with all eight teams taking part in the action at Nissan Arena, including a highly anticipated 2025 grand final rematch between the BOND University Bull Sharks and Kedron-Wavell Cougars.
Netball Queensland's NetballQ TV, the home of community netball in Queensland, is delivering live and free coverage of the state’s most exciting grassroots and pathways competitions including the HART Premier Netball League Sapphire and Ruby Series. Click HERE to access NetballQ TV.
