Netball superstar ready for emotional return as fellow new mum ruled out of Rd1 clash

Thunderbirds star Shamera Sterling-Humphrey has issued a warning to the rest of the Super Netball competition – she’s “physically stronger” in 2026.

Sterling-Humphrey was the world’s most damaging goal keeper when she stepped away from the sport to give birth to her first child last year.

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And now she’s back and raring to go, returning to the court for the first time in almost a year.

“I’ll probably be a little bit emotional,” she said.

“I’m really looking forward to it.

“Ever since I had a kid and been back in the gym, I’ve felt so much stronger.

“I’m physically stronger.

“Maybe the big shooters won’t be able to shove me down to the floor this season (laughs).”

Despite battling dizziness and fatigue while playing in the early stages of her pregnancy, Sterling-Humphrey was still a standout on court until her decision to return to Jamaica after last year’s Round 3 loss to the NSW Swifts.

Now the two teams will face off once more in what’s Sterling-Humphrey’s return to the competition.

“I want to share this moment with my son, I want to feel the moment of finishing the game and then go grab my son,” Sterling-Humphrey shared.

It’s been a rollercoaster five months for the star defender since the birth of son Xaihire last October.

The 30-year-old bravely shared her mental health struggles as a new mum, conceding “post-partum depression took me down”.

“Constant vomiting, crying, not eating, mood swings, cry again, begged God to heal me, it went on and on and on, until I started having suicidal thoughts,” she bravely shared on social media.

“I don’t think they talk about post-partum depression enough. I had a smooth pregnancy until I had my baby boy things took a little turn.

“I didn’t enjoy my newborn days because of post-partum depression.”

Speaking about her ordeal on Thursday, Sterling-Humphrey said netball remained a bright spark in her life.

“Playing netball is better than a 9-5 (laughs) – it’s really good I have netball,” she said.

“I just took my time to build in, build in.

“If your body has pushed out a baby, it must be so strong.

“As the season progresses, I’m looking at getting better and better.”

And that’s a scary thought for rival Super Netball teams.

Coach Tania Obst wasn’t shying away from the expectations on her team in 2026 with the return of Sterling-Humphrey, but warned they’re still “putting all of the pieces together”.

“We haven’t had a lot of time together as a team,” she said, given her international imports and Diamonds demands.

“Shamera, we haven’t seen her play since Round 3 against the Swifts last year. She’s been tracking really since Christmas when she came back into the environment.

“While it’s not new to her … it’s potentially like being a rookie again.”

Sterling-Humphrey will be given a massive task in her first match back, taking on young Kiwi superstar Grace Nweke.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds host the NSW Swifts on Saturday night from 7pm AEDT.

FIREBIRDS EYE UPSET AS VIXENS STAR RULED OUT

There isn’t a more daunting task in Super Netball than getting the reigning premiers in Round 1, but Queensland Firebirds coach Kiri Wills is excited by the challenge.

“We’ve worked very hard … we started earlier than other teams to get a bit of work done. The girls are looking good,” she said.

And while the Melbourne Vixens remain the only side to head into this season with an unchanged roster, Wills said that may count against the side in Sunday’s match-up.

“Vixens are a massive hurdle for any team in the competition; their class at the back end of that season last year … it’s nothing short of impressive.

“We know we’ve got a really big job to do this weekend against them.

“But we do know what to expect – we’ve seen it before.

“It’s somewhat predictable – but they do do it very well. For a first-round match up for us, it’s a good one.”

While the playing personnel remains the same, title-winning coach Simone McKinnis is no longer at the helm – replaced by Di Honey at the end of 2025.

The Firebirds meantime overhauled their roster as they brought in Kiwi trio Maddy Gordon, Kelly Jackson and Te Paea Selby-Rickit.

And with all that international experience, Wills is now faced with the challenge of selecting a starting seven. But it’s a challenge the coach is enjoying.

“People have said to me, ‘Oh what are you going to do?’ The best place for a coach to be is a coach to have options and headaches around selection,” she said.

“Every week I’m going to be scratching my head!

“The couch spectators often think that we’re taking people off because they’re not performing – it’s not the only reason players are changed in and out.

“We have a bench that will work and a 10 for us that will work.”

The Vixens will be without star Emily Mannix who continues her return to court after the birth of her first child, daughter Mabel. Maggie Caris comes into the final 10 as Mannix’s replacement.

“She’s been progressing really well – the decision’s been made to give her a little bit of extra time,” Vixens general manager Sharelle McMahon said.

The Queensland Firebirds take on the Melbourne Vixens on Sunday from 2pm AEDT.