Romelda Aiken-George headed into the 2024 Super Netball season at her third club in three years.
By Saturday night, she was standing a Thunderbirds premiership player and a grand final MVP.
The 35-year-old is a remarkable tale of persistence, after being dumped by the Queensland Firebirds following the birth of her daughter Gianna at the end of 2022.
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Despite the success she brought the Firebirds for more than a decade, the veteran goal shooter found herself without a club for 2023 – until she got the call to train with the NSW Swifts.
It was there that Aiken-George showed age is just a number as she helped the club to a losing grand final finish.
But again, she found herself on the outer as the Swifts opted to turn to returning shooter Sam Wallace-Joseph.
Aiken-George didn’t give up on her career and once more moved her young family to a new state in a move that’s paid dividends with her dual medal performance in Saturday’s decider.
Speaking after the win, an emotional Aiken-George said she was grateful the Thunderbirds gave her a chance to shine.
“For me, there was a lot of sacrifice. Being on the go since (the birth of daughter) Gigi,” she said.
“For me, this one is so extra special because I feel like I’m doing it not for myself but for my family.”
Aiken-George, who was visibly shocked when named MVP, labelled the accolade a “sprinkle on everything I’ve done”.
“I love the game,” she said.
“I’m still trying to find ways to make myself better.
“For me, I’m just one of many women who has had a child and went back into sport and are yearning for success.
“As long as I have support with my baby girl Gigi and my husband who has sacrificed so much for us, I just want to play. I love the game.”
Aiken-George said she understood the controversial call made by the Swifts to overlook her – despite getting the side to the 2023 grand final.
“I feel like at the end of last season I knew my role in the Swifts’ environment, I was just there as a training partner,” she said.
“The conversation we had at the time was like ‘We’re going to give Sam back her position’ which I think was fair.
“For me, I knew that I still had so much more to give.
“(Thunderbirds coach Tania) made it clear you’re playing your role – not filling in for anyone.
“This group has embraced me and my family so well.
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
The goaler’s dedication to the sport can never be questioned after she answered an SOS from her Jamaican national coach to suit up in New Zealand just six weeks after the birth of Gianna.
The star goal shooter, who landed a game-high 42 goals to claim grand final MVP honours, paid tribute to the Thunderbirds for making her transition from parent to athlete so easy.
“I think the moment I stepped into this environment, everyone was hand out, ready to help which made it easy at times,” she said.
“I feel like this environment that I’m in, everyone’s always having a hand in what I’m doing. Making sure when I rock up to training I’m in the best mental headspace.”
Source Agencies
