Last week, it was announced that Garville Super League and Southern Dragons athlete Aalen Davis has been selected as an Adelaide Thunderbirds male training partner for the 2025 Super Netball season. This marks the first time a male athlete has been formally recognised as a training partner within the Adelaide Thunderbirds environment.

This milestone is an incredibly exciting step forward for the progression of men’s netball in South Australia and across the nation. Such visibility is crucial for young boys looking to join the sport, demonstrating that there is a clear pathway for them to aspire to compete at the highest level.

We recently caught up with Aalen to discuss his netball journey so far and what he’s looking forward to in the future.

Aalen, a 21-year-old from Mildura, first started playing netball in Year 6 as part of his primary school team. After taking a break for a few years, he returned to the court when a friend invited him to fill in for a social mixed indoor team at a local centre in Mildura.

Living in Mildura presented challenges as Aalen began to take netball more seriously. Fortunately, his parents were extremely supportive, committing to driving him between Mildura and Adelaide every week to attend training sessions. Reflecting on this, Aalen said:
"I definitely want to thank my mum and dad for their dedication, driving me to and from Mildura each week so I could attend state trainings when I first made the 17 & Under Boys State Team."

Over the years, Aalen has been coached by some of South Australia’s finest, including Kirsty Leonard-Down and Brian Lines. He credits his first state coach, Mark Goreham, as being particularly influential in his decision to pursue netball more seriously.
"I’d like to thank all my coaches who have encouraged and supported me throughout my journey so far. A special shoutout to Mark Goreham, my first state coach, for convincing me to stay in South Australia and continue playing netball," Aalen shared.

Aalen also spoke about the pride he feels representing his country on the international stage.
"Just being selected in teams has been an amazing experience. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed representing Australia and traveling to places like New Zealand and Singapore to compete," he said.

When asked about his excitement as a Thunderbirds training partner, Aalen explained:
"I think what I’m most excited about is being part of a professional sports team with so much success. Turning up to training with such a great group of athletes and immersing myself in a professional environment will help me learn and grow as a player."

Outside of netball, Aalen has been working in retail and is about to start his first year at university, studying to become a primary school teacher.

Over the past six years, men’s netball has seen tremendous growth both in Australia and globally. Aalen reflected on the sport’s inclusivity and appeal:
"Netball is a great game for everyone. It’s played in a supportive environment and is a fantastic team sport. Male participation is increasing every year, with more professional pathways to state and international teams. The game itself is fun, fast, and physical—and I absolutely love it!"

We look forward to following Aalen’s journey as he trains alongside the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2025, helping them chase a third consecutive Super Netball Championship.