Netball: Maria Folau signs with Adelaide Thunderbirds for Australian Super Netball season

Maria Folau. Photo / Photosport

Silver Ferns shooter Maria Folau has signed with the Adelaide Thunderbirds to play in the 2019 Australian Super Netball competition.

Folau called time on her career with the Northern Mystics last month to make a full time move to Sydney and join her husband Israel, in what she described as one of the toughest decisions in her lengthy netball career.

The veteran, who played nine seasons with the Mystics, was granted an exemption from Netball New Zealand to play in the Super Netball competition while still being available for Silver Ferns selection.

It was initially thought that Folau would sign with the Sunshine Coast Lightning to join Silver Ferns head coach Noeline Taurua and teammate Laura Langman but has opted for the Adelaide-based franchise following in the footsteps of netball great Leana de Bruin.

Folau said that although leaving home and her Mystic supporters was hard, the challenge of playing with a new team was exciting.

"I will feel like a kid at a new school. I'm so excited to join the team, and really be challenged," Folau said.

"It will be a new team, new dynamics, new playing styles, so this is a real game-changer for me to challenge myself and play the best netball that I can."

The news you have been waiting for! Goal shooting sensation Maria Folau has been confirmed as final player for the Adelaide Thunderbirds 2019 playing roster.
Full story here: https://t.co/zdyWBdCvsC pic.twitter.com/D3mozLvmMH

— AdelaideThunderbirds (@AdelaideTBirds) September 25, 2018

Thunderbirds new head coach, Tania Obst, said Folau would bring a wealth of experience and a world-class quality to the team.

"What a fantastic signing for our club, members and supporters for the 2019 season," Obst said.

"The contribution she will make to our attacking end will be significant as well as the added value of working with our two young SA shooters.

"For the Club, it sets us solidly on the path for long-term sustainability and success. Maria is an incredible player, a superior athlete and sets the Adelaide Thunderbirds up for a strong, successful and competitive season."

Folau will join a promising Thunderbirds line-up with Commonwealth Games gold medallists Beth Cobden and Layla Guscoth, who both lined up for the Roses throughout the recent international season, also recently signing with the franchise.

Folau will meet with the Thunderbirds' players and the off-court team in November when they start to work towards pre-season.

The Thunderbirds finished last on the Super Netball ladder this season with four points after a loss to the New South Wales Swifts 69-41 in their final game.