The South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) netball pathway is continuing to produce results, with four SASI graduates securing contracts for the 2027 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season.

Jazmin McKay, Lucy Voyvodic, Tabitha Packer and Tyler Orr have all progressed through the South Australian high-performance pathway, with each athlete having been part of the SASI and Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures programs in recent years.

Their progression to the elite level reflects their talent, dedication and commitment, as well as the strength of the development opportunities provided through the SASI netball program and the leadership of head coaches Jacqui Illman and Jenny Borlase.

The four athletes will take their next steps in the SSN competition which is widely regarded as the world's best domestic netball competition, with McKay joining the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Voyvodic moving to the NSW Swifts, Packer joining the Queensland Firebirds and Orr signing with the Melbourne Mavericks.

Jazmin McKay | Adelaide Thunderbirds

Eighteen-year-old Jazmin McKay is set to make history with the Adelaide Thunderbirds as the club's inaugural mother-daughter selection.

The versatile and athletic defender is the daughter of Adelaide Thunderbirds and Australian Diamonds netball icon Sarah Sutter and has established herself as one of South Australia's most promising young players.

McKay has represented South Australia on multiple occasions, earning Most Valuable Player honours in both the 17U and 19U divisions at the National Netball Championships.

Her progression through the SASI and Thunderbirds Futures programs has provided a strong foundation as she prepares to step onto the SSN stage.

“SASI has played such a big part in my development, with the best coaching and girls around me pushing me to keep developing,” McKay said.

Lucy Voyvodic | NSW Swifts

At 21, Lucy Voyvodic has already built an impressive resume at state, national and international level.

The talented midcourter was Adelaide Thunderbirds' 11^th player in 2026 and was recognised as the Most Valuable Player in the SSN Reserves competition in 2025.

Voyvodic has also represented Australia at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games and the 2025 U21 World Youth Cup, experiences that have helped prepare her for the next step in her career.

Her consistent performances have now earned her an opportunity with the NSW Swifts, where she will continue her development in the SSN albeit without long-time friend Tabitha Packer.

“Tab and I have been on this journey together for so long... we went to school together, played on every state team and captained together. It’s going to be a big shock not having her by my side,” Voyvodic said.

Tabitha Packer | Queensland Firebirds

Tabitha Packer will take the next step in her career with the Queensland Firebirds after two seasons as an Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner and a key member of the Thunderbirds Futures program.

The versatile defender can play across wing defence, centre and goal defence and has demonstrated her ability to perform on the national stage.

Packer has been recognised with Grand Final Most Valuable Player honours at the 17U and 19U National Netball Championships and was subsequently selected in the successful Australian U19 team for the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.

Her move to Queensland provides another opportunity to build on the strong foundation developed through the South Australian pathway.

“We were quite young when we came into SASI... they created an environment where we felt comfortable and understood the stresses that came with being young athletes,” Packer said.

Tyler Orr | Melbourne Mavericks

After two successful seasons with London Pulse in the English Netball Super League, 26-year-old Tyler Orr will return to Australia to join the Melbourne Mavericks in 2027.

A former Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner and SASI pathway athlete, Orr has developed into a dynamic and versatile midcourter, capable of playing across all three midcourt positions.

“SASI has given me opportunities to travel interstate and overseas… being away from the norm has taught me so much about myself and given me so much life experience,” Orr said.

“Steve Van Diepen (SASI Physical Preparation Coach) has been such a huge part of my netball journey… he was one of the first people to make me feel welcome at SASI.

“From starting with broomsticks to where we are now, he’s had such an impact.”

Known for her speed, tenacity and versatility, Orr will bring valuable experience to the Mavericks and will have the opportunity to continue her SSN journey on home soil.

A pathway delivering results

Over the past few years, under the leadership of SASI netball head coach Jacqui Illman and previously under Jenny Borlase, many athletes have progressed from the SASI program into the SSN competition.

The success of McKay, Voyvodic, Packer and Orr demonstrates the impact of a strong and connected pathway from emerging talent through to the elite level.

“SASI’s netball program is one of the strongest in the nation, as in this SSN contact period, our state is the only state to have junior players offered first time contracts,” Illman said.

“The whole focus of the SASI netball program is to prepare our athletes to be the best they can be and provide them with opportunities to reach the highest levels.”.

In 2027 the following 12 SASI graduates will be competing in the SSN competition (12.5% of the competition):

• Georgie Horjus – Adelaide Thunderbirds
• Tayla Williams – Melbourne Vixens
• Sarah Klau – NSW Swifts
• Lauren Frew – Adelaide Thunderbirds
• Sophie Casey – Adelaide Thunderbirds
• Kayla Graham – Adelaide Thunderbirds
• Jessie Grenvold – Melbourne Mavericks
• Jazmin McKay – Adelaide Thunderbirds
• Lucy Voyvodic – NSW Swifts
• Tabitha Packer – Queensland Firebirds
• Tyler Orr – Melbourne Mavericks

The partnership between SASI, Adelaide Thunderbirds and the broader South Australian netball pathway provides athletes with opportunities to develop their skills, gain high-performance experience and prepare for the demands of elite competition.

For McKay, Voyvodic, Packer and Orr, their 2027 SSN contracts represent the next chapter in journeys that began within the South Australian pathway.

All four have expressed their gratitude for the opportunities and support they have received through Adelaide Thunderbirds and the South Australian pathway as they prepare to take the next step in their careers.

With these four South Australian athletes set to take their place in the SSN in 2027, the strength of the SASI netball pathway continues to shine.