West Coast Fever have signed Donnell Wallam as their fourth training partner, following her standout performance in the All-Stars side which played against Fever in the pre-season game last Wednesday night.
There were plenty of firsts for Wallam; lining up for the All-Stars last week, playing at RAC Arena, playing in front of a crowd of over 4000 people and playing against Fever.
Wallam’s transition from basketball to focusing only on netball has paid dividends as she has quickly progressed through the Netball WA pathway over the last few years. After playing for Waroona in the Peel Netball League in 2018, Wallam debuted for the West Coast Warriors in the Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League last year with her standout performance being rewarded by winning the Jill McIntosh medal for the best and fairest player in the competition, which came as a surprise to Wallam.
“I didn’t have very high expectations at all, I just thought I’d come and play and see how I go,” Wallam said.
The rewards continued; earlier this year the goal shooter was named in the 2020 Western Sting squad to compete in the Australian Netball League (cancelled due to COVID-19). Today’s announcement caps off a remarkable two years and the 26-year-old cannot believe her luck after signing with Fever.
“I couldn’t believe I got the phone call; I was sitting in my office at work and I remember hanging up the phone and having a little cry to myself. I’m just excited to join the team,” Wallam said.
Wallam’s appointment is a testament to Netball WA’s player pathway program, with Fever coach Stacey Marinkovich identifying Wallam’s talent and excited for what her future holds.
“Donnell was able to demonstrate her skills and abilities on the state’s biggest stage. She definitely took the game on last Wednesday night, and after a great 2019 season and selection in the Western Sting squad, it was evident the next step in her career is to bring Donnell into the Fever environment,” Marinkovich said.
“Donnell has shown she is a force in attack and takes her opportunities. I believe being challenged by our players at training will help further improve her game.”
Wallam joins fellow training partners Emma Cosh and Sunday Aryang, who are in their third and second respective years in the Fever training partner system, and State 17’s and 19’s representative Courtney Kruta.
West Coast Fever’s season is due to start on August 1, with Suncorp Super Netball announcing the first phase of fixtures soon.
