Mwai Kumwenda has announced she won’t return to the court in 2025, following the birth of her first baby last month.
The Melbourne Vixens star missed the 2024 campaign, despite being part of the club’s contracted 10 players.
Now in 2025, the international shooter confirmed she’ll instead take on an off-court role.
Watch every replay of the Suncorp Super Netball season on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
“I am loving this new stage of my life as a parent, it is a new challenge and family is very important to me,” Kumwenda said.
“I am grateful for the club’s support as we settle into our new family life, for now I am excited to keep working with Netball Victoria and the Vixens off the court and we will see what the future brings for me on the court.”
Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said she looked forward to seeing Kumwenda take on a mentor role with younger players.
The Vixens are already on the hunt for a new signing following defender Emily Mannix’s baby reveal earlier this month.
Teams have until Friday, August 23 to finalise their 10-player squads.
CONFIRMED TEAM CHANGES FOR 2025
Adelaide Thunderbirds
IN: –
OUT: Laura Scherian (retired), Tyler Orr (11th player)
Giants Netball
IN: –
OUT: Sam Winders
Melbourne Mavericks
IN: –
OUT: Gabby Sinclair, Rolene Struetker
Melbourne Vixens
IN: –
OUT: Emily Mannix*, Mwai Kumwenda
*Mannix is yet to reveal if she’ll take part at any stage of 2025 as she welcomes her first child in January.
NSW Swifts
IN: –
OUT: Sam Wallace-Joseph
Queensland Firebirds
IN: Mary Cholhok, Imogen Allison
OUT: Donnell Wallam, Remi Kamo, Ali Miller, Kim Ravaillion (retired)
Sunshine Coast Lightning
IN: –
OUT: –
West Coast Fever
IN: Ruth Aryang (elevated from 11th player)
OUT: –
TBIRDS GET THEIR COACH
Dual premiership winning coach Tania Obst has put pen to paper on a new deal keeping her at the Adelaide Thunderbirds until at least the end of 2027.
Obst, who led the club to back-to-back crowns this season and last, signed the new three-year deal on Tuesday.
“I am so honoured to be a part of the Adelaide Thunderbirds and what we’ve achieved over the past few years,” Obst said.
“But as well as that I’m even more excited about where we can go next.
“To witness how the club has rediscovered itself as a powerhouse is a testament to not just our current playing group, but everyone behind the scenes too.
“Our next big challenge is to continue to push on for sustained success.
“It’s a challenge I am up for again and I can’t wait to get started.”
Obst, a former Australian Under 21s coach and assistant at the Roses during their gold medal Commonwealth Games campaign in 2018, has been at the Thunderbirds since 2019.
She has been instrumental in turning the club’s fortunes around after taking over from now West Coast Fever coach Dan Ryan at a time the Thunderbirds managed just one win across both the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
SEE ALL THE LATEST OFF-SEASON NEWS BELOW
STAR’S SHOCK REVEAL
Former Diamond Gretel Bueta won’t be making a return to Super Netball next season after announcing she’s pregnant with her third child.
The talented former Firebird hasn’t taken the court since 2022 – the year she helped Australia claim gold at the Commonwealth Games – following the birth of her second son.
On Saturday, Bueta revealed her family was expanding once more with a baby girl on the way.
The Liz Diamond Medallist had never ruled out a return to the game after the birth of second son Toby in August 2023.
Bueta and husband Niko also have son Bobby, who was born in 2021.
VETERAN CALLS TIME
Three-time premiership winner Laura Scherian has announced her retirement, only days after claiming the Super Netball crown with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Scherian made the move from the Sunshine Coast Lightning to join the Thunderbirds for 2024, and showed she still had plenty in the tank.
The 36-year-old turned out to be one of the recruits of the year as she formed a formidable partnership with grand final MVP, and fellow signing Romelda Aiken-George in attack.
Taking to social media on Friday, Scherian confirmed she had hung up her shoes.
“I’ve cherished countless amazing experiences, gathered special memories, and connected with incredible people along the way. This is what I am most grateful for,” she posted.
“I leave the game happy, content and more importantly still loving it. I am ready for whatever is next.”
Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst was full of praise for Scherian after she signed on in Adelaide.
“We entered our recruitment period last year with a strong purpose around what we wanted to bring into this side and Shez was undoubtedly a perfect fit,” Obst said.
“We knew the experience she would bring and the calibre of person she is when we signed her, and she’s lived up to that and more this season.
“We’re lucky to have had her as a part of this team and this club and I’m so glad we were able to secure the premiership in her final game.”
SECOND STAR ADDED TO FIREBIRDS ROSTER
The Queensland Firebirds have secured a second international star for 2025, with England Rose Imogen Allison joining Ugandan Mary Cholhok down under.
After playing the past two seasons with no imports under former coach Bec Bulley, the Firebirds have changed direction immediately under Kiri Wills.
Aussie fans will get a chance to see Allison in action before she joins the Firebirds when the Roses take on the Diamonds in September’s three-Test series.
Allison said she was looking forward to testing herself in Super Netball after a successful England Super League career.
“I’m at the point in my career where I feel like I’ll really benefit from experiencing different styles of play in the Australian league and also with a bit of a Kiwi style playing under Kiri,” she said.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting my teammates and getting to know them on and off the court. I’m also looking forward to getting to know Brisbane. I’ve only been once and I loved the city so I’m excited to explore more.”
Wills said she was excited to add an international midcourter in Allison, after securing two-metre Cholhok in attack.
“Imogen has great physical attributes which I’m sure will suit her well in the SSN,” Wills said.
“Her quick feet, agility and timing ensures she provides a body-on-body defensive threat but can also come away from the body to secure loose ball or force a turnover.
“I’m beyond excited to see the impact Imogen can have in Australia and I know she’ll be a favourite of our fans in no time.”
SISTER ACT FOR FEVER
West Coast Fever rising talent Ruth Aryang has been elevated into the contracted 10 for season 2025 – but who misses out?
With the majority of the squad signed on multi-year deals, only midcourter Kelsey Browne and Jamaican goal attack Shanice Beckford remain without a deal for next year.
And Aryang’s signature ensures there’s only one spot left.
Aryang was the team’s 11th player in 2024 and made her debut back in Round Five – showing immense talent in defence alongside her Australian Diamonds’ star sister Sunday.
The 20-year-old said she was excited to now take the court alongside her sister week-in week-out.
“It’s a surreal moment when I first heard I was going to get a contract for season 2025,” Ruth said.
“I am really looking forward to playing alongside Sunday and my other teammates. Sunday and I have spoken about this for the last couple of years and knowing that it is going to come true is pretty amazing.
“I did not think that I’d be sitting here with everything that happened with the knee injury (tearing her ACL back in April 2022 while representing WA).
“I am super grateful and proud of myself that I was able to get through that journey and I am looking forward to what season 2025 brings.”
MANNIX REVEALS ‘HARDEST SECRET’ OF 2024
The Melbourne Vixens are on the hunt for a defender after star Emily Mannix revealed she was stepping away to have her first child.
The defender admitted her baby joy was the “hardest secret” to keep as she played out the season, including in last week’s Super Netball grand final.
Mannix, who was rewarded for her outstanding form with selection as a Diamonds invitee earlier this year, has been a mainstay in the Vixens defence for a decade.
On Thursday, the 30-year-old revealed she was stepping away from the sport with her first baby due in January.
“Well, this has been the hardest secret to keep this season!” Mannix posted on social media.
“We are super stoked for this next chapter and can’t wait to see where life takes us.
“I’ve had nothing but support from those closest to me, as well as the incredible medical and coaching staff at Vixens. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.
“It’s truly been a season like no other and although it’s had a few challenges (like trying to hide my growing belly) it’s been one of my most enjoyable and memorable.”
In a statement, the Vixens shared their excitement for Mannix’s baby joy.
“We know Em will stay connected and play a key role with our group over the coming months, albeit off the court – we couldn’t be more excited for her, and we look forward to welcoming her back on court when the time comes,” coach Simone McKinnis said.
The club confirmed Mannix would stay in an off-court role for the “coming months”.
“Any decision regarding her participation in the 2025 SSN season will be made at the appropriate time,” the club said.
The Vixens are still yet to receive confirmation shooter Mwai Kumwenda will return for 2025 after she missed this season having her first baby.
“We’ve spoken about it but it was always she would have her baby and there’s no urgency to make any decisions on that,” McKinnis said.
FIREBIRDS FIND THEIR WALLAM REPLACEMENT
The Queensland Firebirds have announced Ugandan international Mary Cholhok will replace star Donnell Wallam in a massive coup for the 2025 season.
The 201cm Cholhok has been a standout playing at goal shooter in England, after helping her She Cranes to a stunning fifth place finish at last year’s Netball World Cup.
She becomes just the second Ugandan star to ever play in the Super Netball competition, following in the footsteps of defender Peace Proscovia.
“I tried for many seasons to lure Mary to New Zealand to join me at the Northern Stars without success,” new Firebirds Head Coach Kiri Wills said.
“So to know Mary will now be joining me at the Firebirds in 2025 is a real thrill and I can’t wait to see what she can do in the SSN.
“Mary’s height is obviously a key asset but she’s developed her game so much in England. Her athleticism makes her difficult for defenders to manage. As a result her accuracy and volume is incredible.”
Cholhok will step up at goal shooter after the Firebirds announced Diamond Donnell Wallam had played her last game for the club.
“It has always been my dream to play in the best league in the world,” the 27-year-old Cholhok said.
“Every Saturday morning when I wake up I watch highlights of SSN and now it is surreal that I am going to be a part of the league.
“I am so grateful to the Firebirds for this opportunity. I can wait to get started and meet the Firebirds family.”
Cholhok heads down under off the back of stunning success in the English Super League.
She is a three-time premiership winner, and scored 50 goals – without supershot – in the most recent title triumph.
Cholhok finished with 975 goals in the 2024 season – finishing as the league’s top goal scorer for the fourth time.
SINCLAIR DEPARTS IN ‘BIG RISK’ MOVE
The Melbourne Mavericks have made the “really tough” decision to cut star Gabby Sinclair from their squad ahead of the 2025 season – despite her multiple match day heroics.
Sinclair’s hot hand from super shot range lifted the Mavericks into finals contention in their inaugural season.
But ultimately on Thursday the club decided there wasn’t enough room for her on the roster for 2025.
“After careful consideration, Gabby Sinclair has not been offered a contract for the ’25 season,” the statement read.
“Gabby has been an integral part of the inaugural Melbourne Mavericks team – she is well loved on and off the court, a true Maverick by definition. We wish her nothing but the best.”
It’s a bold call by the Mavericks who already have England internationals Eleanor Cardwell and Sasha Glasgow on their roster in attack – but Glasgow is working her way back from a serious leg injury that ruled her out of 2024.
Ultimately, the rise of 11th player Shimona Jok hurt Sinclair’s chances of a new deal, with the goal attack now seeking a home for 2025.
Australian men’s captain Dylan Nexhip previously said it would be a “big risk” if the Mavs were to cut Sinclair from their roster.
“She goes out there with that hot hand, under pressure,” he said on The 4th Qtr Podcast.
“That is not an easy feat by anybody.
“It’s going to be a really tough decision for the Mavs.
“It’s a big risk to be able to take Sasha Glasgow back after what’s happened.
“You’ve got three goal shooter first positions (in Jok, Cardwell and Glasgow).
“It’s a huge risk at SSN level not to have someone that’s come through as a goal attack within your team.”
Sinclair’s exit is the first confirmed by the Mavericks ahead of Monday’s free agency opening.
As it stands, clubs can only re-sign players from within their squads. But come August 5, contracts can be tabled to free agents and players who did not compete in the Super Netball league this season.
WINDERS FAREWELLS GIANTS
Midcourter Sam Winders’ netball future remains up in the air after the former Silver Fern parted ways with the Giants.
Winders had crossed the ditch to link back up with former mentor Julie Fitzgerald, but the season didn’t go as planned for the 2024 wooden spooners.
Confirming her exit from the club, Winders said she was uncertain what could come next.
“I definitely haven’t made any sort of decisions yet,” she said.
“But when I had my last meeting with Julie and the performance team we spoke about my physical capabilities and my netball abilities and we all kind of agreed that it would be a shame if I stopped playing.
“I definitely feel like I’ve got more to give the sport and I still have a real deep passion for it. I love my job and love what I do so, if I have an opportunity to play at this level, I’m still going to keep going I think.”
The 29-year-old is set to return to New Zealand after spending just one year in Super Netball.
“It’s always a difficult time of the year trying to figure out what is right for you, and I always go into a team with the intention that I’m not just there for a one season stint so that was always in the back of my end,” Winders said.
“When it came to the end of the season, I really needed to consider two things – my life outside of netball and what was best for me, and also at this age and stage of my career netball-wise I just want to be playing, so I needed to consider those two things and that helped me come to my decision that heading home was the best decision.
“I’m in a good place with the decision and it’s easy to make a decision when you know what is important to you.”
