Walkerville Netball Club rises to the Premier League challenge
After a bumper 2025 season for the Walkerville Netball Club, the Cats have their eyes firmly set on a competitive first year in the Premier League.
Following three back-to-back undefeated seasons for their Adelaide Metropolitan Netball Division (AMND) squad, Walkerville Netball Club made themselves known as a worthy contender for the highest league in South Australia for 2026.
President of the Walkerville Netball Club, Jessica Hall, explained that moving up into the Premier League, after so many successful years in the AMND League, was a natural progression for the Club and its players.
“I think that the girls were ready for a challenge. Don't get me wrong, we love success, we love winning, but equally, I think we've reached a point in our history where we needed to take that step up, otherwise it was going to get a bit stagnant,” said Ms Hall.
Ms Hall believes 2026 is the year for the Club, who have recently settled into their new home courts at The W: Walkerville Recreation Centre.
The Premier League and Reserves squad, consisting of over 20 netballers, were able to have their first training of the year on the opening day of the new recreation centre on 12 January 2026.
“It's a dream come true, and it's just all come together so nicely at the right time to have this stadium ready for our first Premier League training and for the Premier League to debut on 17 April. It's just all come together perfectly!” said Ms Hall.
“To have this opportunity to be able to train where our namesake is, is just really special, and not many other clubs, if any, in that competition, have the same opportunity.
“I'm just so grateful for [Walkerville] Council to have given us this opportunity to have a home base. This is so important for our Premier League and Reserves side, but equally, we're a community club. We have got 45 teams from four-year-olds to the-sky's-the-limit. So, they're also going to get the opportunity to use this space, and indoor netball courts are really hard to come by in Adelaide.”
For Kate Semiz, coach of the Premier League and Reserves squad, she said this year is looking great for their top players, as they are competing in the highest competition in the State, underneath the Thunderbirds.
“It’s the best of what a Club can do and now we’re part of it!” said Ms Semiz.
She explains that the Club will be making good use of their new home courts to hone their skills ahead of the season start.
But with a new high-octane league, a new home court venue, a new uniform, big name players, signing on of a two-year running MVP and also a Thunderbird’s premiership winning coach, plus great strength and conditioning coaches – 2026 is looking to be a promising year for the Club and its new Premier League squad.
And this success is also being passed on to the junior players of the Club, who have a future pathway to high-level competition netball available to them.
Ms Semiz said, “It's a great opportunity for the Club, which has players from all over the city and all over the State coming to Walkerville and have a home here as well. And to have a pathway from our Under 8’s or Kindercats right through to Premier League is exciting for the Club.”
While the season hasn’t started yet, Ms Semiz is very confident that the Cats are going to bring the heat in the Premier League.
“Oh, we’ll be competitive – straight off the bat!”
The Reserves squad's first match will be on Friday, 20 March, and the Premier League squad’s first match will be on Friday, 17 April.