Captain Returns Home

EXCLUSIVE:

Former Adelaide Thunderbirds captain Renae Ingles (Hallinan), will be back playing netball in Adelaide for the 2017 season. Ingles will again don the colour pink but this time for South Australian Premier League club, Tango. The 30 year old hasn't stepped onto the court since giving birth to twins Jacob and Milla back in July and is excited to be playing again. "I'm so excited to pull on a netball dress again," Ingles told Our Sporting Life SA. "I am very thankful that Tango will have me as part of the team and I'm excited to step out on court for the first time in Premier League. "Netball Australia and Netball South Australia have been extremely supportive of me, so I'm excited to give back to the sport at Premier League level." Tango head Coach Scott Waddington says having the experience of a two-time Australian Diamonds International Netballer of the Year will be extremely beneficial for the club. "Renae is a quality person with a wealth of experience with on court leadership and also as a player," Waddington confirmed. "We have a young squad who are eager to learn and the players are striving to be the best they can. "Renae will be able to assist our captain Jess Curnow with direction and voice towards the team on court."

One of the leading wing defenders in the world, Ingles will play primarily in this position for Tango. "Renae will predominately play wing defence as I see that as her strongest position," Waddington continues. "I would also like to help achieve her goal of obtaining a contract in the National Netball League for the following season." While Ingles is keen to return to the national Netball League (NNL), she believes her time in the Premier League will be beneficial towards a comeback at National level. "I would love to take the court in the National League again and the Premier League season is a great stepping stone towards achieving that," Ingles explained. "My priority right now though, is my family, so next year Joe (husband) and I will sit down and make decisions for the following season. "I also have to be playing good enough netball in 2017 to be considered by National League teams again in the future."

Ingles is currently living in Melbourne but is looking to play as many games as possible during the 2017 season which starts in May. "I have had great conversations with Scott, and feel really confident that he can help me get back into some form on the court," she said. "Tango are one of the younger teams and I am excited to work with the girls in a bit of a mentoring role both on and off the court."

Whilst across the border, Tango have allowed her the flexibility of an external training program so that she can balance her new life as a Mum, wife, and the comeback to the netball court. Renae - who is married to Adelaide's own NBA, Utah Jazz Basketballer Joe Ingles - says she is looking forward to spending some time with the support of her new family on the sidelines. "How lucky am I? I will get to play the sport I love, with my husband and two kids on the sidelines," Ingles said. Ingles list of achievements include two ANZ Championship titles, one with Melbourne Vixens in 2009 and another with Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2013. She has played over 50 Tests for Australia, which include a gold medal at last year's World Championships along with a gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The influential play maker stepped her game up to another level from 2013 when she was named in the 2013 & 2014 All Star Team of the Year.