Thunderbirds star Shamera Sterling-Humphrey to miss season after announcing pregnancy
Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (left) is expecting her first child. (ABC News: Jack Stephens)
In short:
Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey announced she is expecting her first child with husband Andrew, ruling her out for the rest of the season.
The Jamaican dual-premiership player says she is "so excited" to be "having a little one" and will continue to support the team.
What's next?
South African Sanmarie Visser will replace Sterling-Humphrey, travelling to Sydney for the clash against the Giants on Saturday.
Star Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey will miss the remainder of the national netball season as she prepares to welcome her first child.
The club announced her pregnancy in a statement on Friday, confirming who would replace the back-to-back premiership player during her absence from the league.
South African Sanmarie Visser, who originally joined the club in the pre-season as a temporary replacement to shooter Romelda Alken-George, will join the squad.
Visser will travel with the side to Sydney as they take on the Giants on Saturday.
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (left) has helped the Adelaide Thunderbirds win back-to-back premierships. (AAP: Matt Turner)
Sterling-Humphrey said she was excited to embark on this next chapter.
"I'm so excited to be having a little one and getting the opportunity to be back with my husband [Andrew] for this special moment — I know I'll be a great mum,"she said
"I'll miss being out on court this season, but I'll continue supporting the team while I prepare for the arrival of our new family member."
The then-22-year-old Sterling-Humphrey was first lured to the Adelaide Thunderbirds from the Loughborough Lightning in the UK Super League in 2018.
She finished her debut game in April the following year with 10 gains — five intercepts, 12 deflections and three rebounds.
Sterling-Humphrey has since been a major factor in the club's back-to-back titles, with her critical intercepts and athleticism helping shut down opposition defences.
Sterling-Humphrey has been a pivotal player for the Adelaide Thunderbirds. (Getty: Sarah Reed)
Coach Tania Obst said the whole team was thrilled for both Sterling-Humphrey and Visser.
"They're very excited for Shamera and Andrew, and they're also really excited for [Visser] and some of the other opportunities that'll present for other athletes," she said.
"[Visser's] shown some great versatility that she can bring to our team and we're really excited for her to have this opportunity."
Thunderbirds general manager of high performance Jace Bode echoed the club's excitement.
"We know how much this means to Shamera and Andrew and we're so excited for them to grow their family," Bode said.
Sterling-Humphrey will rejoin the squad in 2026.