At only 22 years of age Melissa Rowland hardly seems old enough to be having a career comeback, yet today the talented goal shooter re-joins the Adelaide Thunderbirds after 3 years out of the ANZ Championship.
Melissa played a season with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2008 and but was not signed for any team in the ANZ Championship season in 2009.
Finding herself back in the Subway Cup but still determined to make it as an elite netballer on the national stage, Mel continued to strive for reconsideration doing everything she could to gain the nod from selectors.
“ I feel extremely excited about joining the team. It’s really rewarding to know all the hard work has paid off, going back to gain that extra experience week in and week out has been really helpful” Said Ms Rowland.
Her achievements in that time include:
– SASI scholarship (South Australian Institute of Sport) 2009,2010 & 2011.
– Playing for South Australia in the Australian Netball League in 2009,2010 & 2011.
– Subway Cup Team of The Year 2010 & 2011.
“Melissa’s work ethic is a trait we hold in high regard here at the club” said Netball SA and Adelaide Thunderbird CEO Stephanie Greene.
“There are many players that would have stopped pushing themselves so hard in the face of the disappointment at being dropped from the squad. Mel should feel very proud and vindicated that her effort has paid off and she is back in the team. We are very please to have her back and are also proud of the player pathways we have in place that have helped her as a South Australian netballer continue to develop her talent” said Greene.
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