[museboy]

#1312967

Pitman not offered a contract from the Thunderbirds next year

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It is with mixed emotions I announce to my friends, family, our amazing Pink Army and my followers that my time at the Adelaide Thunderbirds has come to the end. I am disappointed to not be offered a 2021 contract from the club because I truly felt we were building towards something great in 2021 and beyond. I am heartbroken that I will not continue my netball career with the team I have worked so hard with over the last 4 years and co-captained for the last 2, but that is sport. It is sometimes brutal and cut throat, always rewarding and sometimes lifechanging. I am thankful to have been able to see growth and change with the beginning of some success, and I hope to see that continue into 2021 and beyond. For more than half my life all I've wanted to be was a netballer. The beauty of my sport, is that it has allowed me to fulfil being a person away from it but as all athletes know is that no matter what level your sport is tagged at, amateur or professional and everything in-between. You sacrifice so much to give it your all and it does become your life. ☆This is not a retirement post, this is a Thank You post and a See You Next Year post. Unsure what that looks like for me but I'm hopeful that this week is not my last game at this level 💕 @adelaidethunderbirds @supernetball #netball #adelaidethunderbirds #suncorpsupernetball

A post shared by Chelsea Pitman (@chelseapitman) on Sep 20, 2020 at 4:06pm PDT

[englishrose21]

#1312970

I’m really shocked by this. She’s been treated so poorly. So now I can’t see T’Birds having Petty there next year either so they’ll lose both of their captains!
They need the experience of pitman in the centre court for another year I think. I think she would have been happy to go on her own terms too next year.
I know she said it’s not a retirement but where’s she going to go? Her husbands child is in Adelaide so I guess she would go on her own? Come back to the UK Chels we’ll have you and look after you

• This reply was modified 4 years, 4 months ago by englishrose21.

[Netballcrazy1]

#1312971

Oh MY GOD!! This is so horrible, I genuinely think they need a level head and experience in the midcourt and I am so disappointed in the Thunderbirds for letting her go. Yes, Nankivell is a revelation but that doesn’t mean Petty and Williams are ready to step up. I am SO disappointed in the way she has been treated, what’s new Thunderbirds. As a fan I already know this means next year our problems are going to come from the midcourt, I really hope they have someone crazy who is moving to Adelaide because if not, this move is going to be so unjustified and unfair.

As a fan I can’t thank her enough for what she has done for the Thunderbirds, she has been a great spearhead and leader when we’ve needed it and she has stuck with the team through the hardest of times….

[NettySuperFan]

#1312972

That is devastating! Pitman was one of the best for us this year, why would they let her go!! I hope they are not giving Petty a contract over her, because she has been below par this season and very costly for the team when she has been on! I hope another team is able to pick her up somewhere. Maybe Giants or Magpies may want her, but I’m not sure. Hopefully we can pick up a good WA from somewhere else, and leave Nankivell for C. I’d be interested in getting Scherian or Charles.

[Waylay]

#1312974

Huge news. Thunderbirds are a better team when she’s on the court. But I guess Nankivell has been good at WA too, although I still see her as a defensive midcourter.

[Netballcrazy1]

#1312976

Nankivell is great but without Pitman please tell me who is going to fill those two other midcourt spots? A below-par Petty? Williams who has played less than 60 minutes at this level? Van de Merwe who has started receiving less court time in favour of Nankivell, an attacking midcourter, at WD? How much more stupid can the decisionmakers at the Thunderbirds get, a lot of questionable decision the past few years but this is definitely one of the worse. I was so excited for 2021 and now I’m concerned and upset that we’re losing Pitman. If they get rid of Petty too then its right back to rebuilding, which is what we have been doing for the last five years.

[Tully]

#1312977

I don’t see this decision as that controversial.

For so long the TBirds were criticised for not backing local talent. Now they are and that appears to be unpopular too.

There always comes a time when the coaching staff need to decide whether to hang on to a player at the end of their career or promote the young talent that may well win you the comp in a year or two.

Nankivell and Williams are the future of the TBirds midcourt so play them now. I have said many times that I don’t see the wrap on Petty but many do.

It may be and I think this is the most likely scenario that they want to develop Horjus in WA. WA is where she has played nationals for SA and national squads. That allows them to retain Glasgow and perhaps try and bring Allen home. I know Glasgow hasn’t had a great 2020 but is without a proper pre season and on the come back from an ACL. Just remember how good she was in 2019. TBirds don’t want to lose that. Give her a preseason and she will get back to that level.

With NVB in there they have the right person to guide their midcourt.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 4 months ago by Tully.

[Jbss]

#1312990

Maybe they’re trying to bring home some SA talent? Hopefully not Proud as I love her at Swifts but maybe Tyler Orr Allen etc

[aqua301]

#1312998

Maybe Haythornthwaite is making the move over to Adelaide?

[Jbss]

#1312999

I think Haythornthwaite has indicated she wants to go back to England after this year. However that could have changed since the end of last year especially given there are roses connections with players and coaches over in SA.

[thunder123]

#1313000

I also thought Haythornethwaite, however think her ties to England/family/boyfriend are very strong. She went home over Covid too so I think she’ll go home to England.

[Tully]

#1313002

TBirds don’t need Haythornthwaite. They have a brilliant young WA / GA in Horjus. Horjus didn’t have a contract this year but will next year.

[James]

#1313003

I am guessing this is why Horjus has been at WA. A midcourt of Horjus, Nankivell and van der Merwe with Cobden back could be amazing and then have Potgeiter, Glasgow and Allen as Shooters

• This reply was modified 4 years, 4 months ago by James.

[Muffie]

#1313005

Chelsea Pitman will be a big loss to Thunderbirds. What a crazy decision. I hope she finds a team that suits her. Good luck

[Woodsy]

#1313010

I feel sorry for Chelsea Pittman she played fine all year. Thunderbirds lack experience and by changing the team so often they will never be cohesive.

[Author]

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