WODONGA’S Jane Cook has signed with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
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The goalshooter will move to South Australia in November after signing a two-year deal with the National Netball League club.
The Young Achiever of the Year nominee played in an Australian Netball League premiership with Victorian Fury this season, just a year after starring in Wodonga’s grand final triumph over Yarrawonga.
Cook, who turns 19 next week, said earning a place on the Thunderbirds’ roster was the realisation of a life-long dream.
“It’s pretty exciting,” she said.
“There’s definitely been a lot of hard work to get to this point … now I’ll see how far I can take it.”
At 202cm, Cook will be the tallest player in the National Netball League and looks set to form a key part of coach Dan Ryan’s attack alongside Erin Bell and Karyn Bailey.
I can already see her being a genuine force in our shooting circle and a real game changer
- Dan Ryan
“I’m going in with the expectation that I’ll need to work hard but the group of players that Dan as the head coach has put together, there’s plenty of support around me, especially the attackers where there’s a wealth of knowledge,” she said.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity and very grateful, being such a young player.”
Ryan said Cook could make an instant impact to the Thunderbirds’ side.
“Jane is an exciting young talent I am absolutely rapt to have her on board,” he said.
“She has got a lot of development ahead of her, but I can already see her being a genuine force in our shooting circle and a real game-changer.
“Her accuracy and volume through the ANL has been super impressive and with the calibre of athlete she will have around her at the Thunderbirds, this is the ideal environment for her to develop as an athlete.”