Sport + Motorsport
Highly-rated Australian netball coach Jess Whitfort will bring extensive experience to the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel this season.
Whitfort, from Queensland, arrives in Invercargill today to link up with head coach Wendy Frew, creating a formidable pairing to steer the franchise’s 2026 ANZ Premiership campaign.
“I’m most excited about working with Wendy – a legend of the club and an outstanding coach. She’s got a strong vision for the future of Steel, and the opportunity to be part of that and help drive what’s next really drew me in,” Whitfort said.
“I can’t wait to get started with Wendy and the crew, get into the work early, and help build a big 2026 campaign — day by day, week by week.
“It’s a big move, but it’s an opportunity I’m ready for. I’m looking forward to settling into Invercargill, connecting with the Steel community, and being all-in for the season.”
With more than 20 years’ experience in high performance environments, Whitfort’s strengths include driving athlete progression, tactical innovation and fostering team success.
“I’m aiming to bring strong technical and tactical expertise, plus my experience from Australia developing ‘thinking’ athletes – players who are highly skilled, composed under pressure, and able to read and solve the game in real time,” she said.
A national selector and specialist pathway coach for Netball Australia since 2023, Whitfort’s impressive résumé includes head coach of the Queensland Firebirds Futures Academy for the past two years and coach of the Australian Netball League 2019 premiers Victoria Fury.
Further underlining her coaching credentials, Whitfort was pathway lead of Swimming Australia’s high performance programme in 2022, managing Junior Dolphins, Australia A and Australian Dolphins international and domestic campaigns.
Her professional development has also included immersion with the Australian Diamonds during the Constellation Cup in 2024 and 2025, along with a range of Australian Institute of Sport programmes.
Frew described Whitfort’s appointment as “a real coup”.
“Jess brings a wealth of experience across all formats of the game. As I move into my second year in a coaching role, her knowledge and support will be incredibly valuable,” Frew said.
“I’m very grateful for the sacrifices she is making to join our Steel family. Moving away from loved ones is a big ask and I have a lot of respect for her because of that. Even in the short time we’ve known each other, it’s clear we share the same values, work ethic and principles.”
Steel’s pre-season campaign gets underway on Monday, with the full squad assembling in Invercargill.
2026 Southern Steel squad
- Shooters: Georgia Heffernan, Aliyah Dunn, Josie Bingham
- Midcourters: Kimiora Poi, Renee Savai’inaea, Serina Daunakamakama, Ashleigh Poi
- Defenders: Carys Stythe, Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa, Jess Milne