We caught up with rising star Sophia Martinussen, a standout Netball ACT athlete who’s making waves in the netball world! Sophia recently achieved incredible milestones, being selected for the QBE Swifts Academy and earning a spot on the 19/U NSW State Team.
In our exclusive Q&A, Sophia shared insights into her journey, from the early days on the court in Canberra to her aspirations at the elite level. With a grounded perspective and a determination to embrace every opportunity, Sophia talks about the challenges and rewards of moving to Sydney, her focus on expanding her game in a high-performance environment, and the mentors who have shaped her approach to netball.
Dive into her story and discover what drives one of Canberra’s most promising young talents as she takes on this exciting new stage in her netball career!
Congratulations on your appointment to the QBE Swifts Academy and the NSW U19 State Team! How did you feel when you first received the news?
Thank you! I know it sounds generic but I was obviously very excited. Talk about moving to Sydney had been happening a bit before my selection so when I found out I was successful for those programs, and that I was definitely moving definitely made it all seem more real.
How has your experience in the ACT Pathways Program prepared you for this exciting next step in your netball journey?
My three years in the Netball ACT pathway has been invaluable to me. Sure, the move to sydney and pursuit of elite opportunities there is exciting but where I’ve come from is just as important as where I’m going and I’ve always stood by that. My parents have always taught me ‘Don’t forget your roots’, and my teammates, coaches, and support I’ve received over the state program and time in the Capital Darters is a testament to that. You can’t build a house without foundations, and Netball ACT has, and will always be where I’ve come from and grown from.
What does being selected for the QBE Swifts Academy and the NSW State Team mean to you on a personal level?
I remember after my very first game of netball wanting to be a SSN player, running around when I was little and people would ask me: ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ Most kids would say a doctor, police officer etc; and I remember saying ‘I want to be a professional netball player’. So getting the call and putting on the uniform with the QBE Swifts logo on it, is a feeling that money can’t buy for me. I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to transition into the Netball NSW pathway and it’s something I’m going to take with two hands and work hard at.
What are you most looking forward to learning or experiencing in this new environment?
Obviously living in Sydney will be very different to living with my family at home, also just training and playing with different girls in a different environment is something I’m keen for. The 19/U NSW State Team placed first at the 2024 National Championships so that’s also another environment that I’m excited for and ready to learn a lot from teammates and coaches.
What are some specific skills or aspects of your game that you’re excited to develop further with the Academy?
Expanding on my movement, working with new feeders and goalers, and continuing to work on holding/ball work under pressure are all key aspects of my game I’m looking to expand on in a really fast paced and professional environment. Potentially talk of some super-shot work and increasing accuracy from range is also something I’m focusing on!
Who has been your biggest inspiration or mentor in netball, and how have they influenced your approach to the game?
I get asked this question a lot, and to be honest I don’t really have a singular uniform figure that I look up to, it’s more of a collection of people; from those I know personally to those that probably have no idea I exist! Obviously as a netballer everyone looks up to the diamonds, but I’ve also had great coaching mentors like Sue Hawkins who’s an ex-diamond herself who’s always given me great advice right from the get-go. Every person that’s been involved in my netball journey all give me a unique outlook on the game both on and off the court, but mainly for me it all comes down to work hard, stay humble, and good things will happen.
What are your personal goals for the upcoming year in the Academy and state program, and how do you envision this experience shaping your future in netball?
Next year will be a massive change for me, so adapting to that and taking everything in like a sponge is my main priority. I’m really eager to learn from teammates and coaches to work towards my goals, (which I outlined earlier in terms of aspects of my game I’m wanting to grow on). I understand how the pathway program works and obviously I’m not going to be making my Suncorp Super Netball debut tomorrow, but for me it’s about working hard on those goals, seeking feedback as best I can and being that 1% better everyday.
Thank you, Sophia! We wish you all the best in this exciting new chapter of your netball journey and can’t wait to see you back on the court in 2025, showcasing your talent and hard work.
