Natalie was born in country Victoria to parents Trevor and Jo-Anna, before moving to Millicent in country SA with her family. It was here that Nat’s journey from young netballer to one of the World’s best Goal Attack’s began.
As with most country towns, sport was (and still is) the backbone of Millicent and was a pastime for any young kid to fall in to. A natural athlete, Nat participated and excelled in many sports including Little Athletics, Tennis, Hockey and Basketball and it wasn’t until the age of 11 when she found herself wearing a netball bib. After several years of 8-hour return trips to Adelaide with her dedicated parents for State Selections and trainings, Nat and her family relocated to Adelaide, which allowed many doors to open for the talented youngster. Despite being known for her “very laid back and casual demeanour”, continual selections in Underage State Teams, followed by Talent ID Selections lead to her selection as a training partner with the Adelaide Thunderbirds under coach Marg Angove.
With the retirement of big International and National stars from the Thunderbirds line-up, Nat made her Commonwealth Bank Trophy debut in 2004 against the Sydney Swifts, which was the beginning of a netball career she could only have previously ever dreamt of. IN 2007 the ultimate dream became a reality when Nat was selected in the Australian Open Squad and then went on to gain selection in the 2007 World Championship Team. The team would go on to win the Final against the hosting nation, NZ (42-38) that saw Nat get called upon during the final few minutes of the game to take the court and help get the team across the line. This would be the beginning of a remarkable International career that, to date has seen her become a dual World Champion as well as a Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist.
After 6 seasons with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, which included Grand Final appearances, dual Tanya Denver Awards and Club Champion Medals, Nat moved to Brisbane to become a member of the Queensland Firebirds. In 2011 Nat had a year to remember with a World Championship win and an undefeated ANZ Championship season with the QLD Firebirds where the team took out the Premiership with an emphatic 57-44 win over the Northern Mystics.
Nat is known for her cool demeanour under pressure, her elusiveness as well as her shooting accuracy. She continues to improve as a match-winning performer, which was particularly evident in the 2011 World Championship campaign as well as the 2011 QLD Firebirds Premiership win.
Born: 20 January 1984, Warracknabeal, Victoria Australia
Residence: Brisbane, QLD AUSTRALIA
Team: Queensland Firebirds & Australian Netball Diamonds
Position: GA / GS
Height: 177cm
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye colour: Hazel
Hobbies: Sports (AFL, cricket, Tennis), Yoga, Photography, Spending time at the Beach
Playing History:
TEST DEBUT: 8 August 2007 (Australia 72 def Jamaica 53 in Sydney, AUS)
TEST CAPS: 44
STATE SELECTIONS
2000-01: SA State 17 & Under
2002-03: SA State 19 & Under
2002-03: SA State 21 & Under
2004: SA State Open
2004-09: Adelaide Thunderbirds Team (CBT & ANZ Championship)
2010-current: Queensland Firebirds (ANZ Championship)
NATIONAL SELECTIONS
2001: 17 & Under TID
2002-03: 19 & Under TID
2005: 21& Under World Youth Cup Team
2006: Open Emerging Talent Squad
2007-Current: Australian Diamonds Squad
2007-Current: Australian Diamonds Team
AWARDS/HONOURS
2007: World Championship, Auckland NZ (1st)
2010: Commonwealth Games, Delhi India (2nd)
2011: ANZ Championship Premiers (Queensland Firebirds)
2011: ANZ Championship Joint MVP
2011: World Championship, Singapore (1st)