Jenner on her ‘silver lining’ 

By Stephanie Smarrelli  

As a defender in the world’s best netball league, Kim Jenner is no stranger to taking risks.  

In fact, she does it every time she leaves her player behind to chase after a potentially match-winning intercept.  

If she gets there in time, she’s a hero, but if she doesn’t, she almost certainly gives her opposition a shot on goal.  

Taking risks is something Jenner has become comfortable with not just on the court, but off it. 

The Townsville native got her big break with the Queensland Firebirds in 2017 as a 19-year-old.  

“My favorite netball memory is walking out with the Firebirds for the very first time,” Jenner said.    

“Growing up, I used to watch the girls from the stands, walking out there with the group and having my parents in the crowd, I really soaked in the moment."    

But after six years with the club, she had to make the biggest decision of her career.   

TAKING THE PLUNGE  

Jenner’s time at her next destination, the West Coast Fever was short, with the defender spending more time on the bench than out on court.   

Following a one-season stint with the Fever, she was faced with the choice to pack her bags up once more.   

But this time, she was heading truly into the unknown with the newly created Melbourne Mavericks, a club learning on the fly.  

"You never really know where life is going to take you and I'm really grateful for the journey it took me on,” she said reflecting on moving across country twice.   

“It was a massive decision to leave Queensland and my friends behind, but it was one I loved and I'm glad I took.   

"Moving back to the east coast was a big decision after having done one move, but I absolutely love the team I get to play with and the environment."    

The move paid dividends for Jenner who went from only spending 233 minutes on court in 2023 with the Fever to spending 772 minutes on court with the Mavericks in 2024.  

Although her court time increased, the driving factor behind Jenner’s move from Fever to the Mavericks was the opportunity to be part of a club being built from scratch.   

“You don't often get to be part of a brand-new club, part of creating a culture and an environment from the ground up,” Jenner said.   

“It was exciting to me as was the challenge and opportunity it might bring.”   

Despite the Mavericks inaugural season not going to plan, Jenner believes the Mavs would not be the same without their hardships.    

From the injuries to only having 12 weeks together before hitting the court, the challenges have been part of what’s made the team band together in such a short time, a silver lining for them.  

"We didn't have the easiest run this year but coming out of it the setbacks made the team a close-knit group," she said.   

“A lot of the girls moved interstate to play for the Mavericks and a lot of their partners came with them, it allowed us to create a tight bond, which really helped us in the backend the of the season.”    

Overall, she was positive about their inaugural season despite the side finishing fifth.   

“You're always disappointed not to make finals and we were really trying to reach there, in the end we got close, but it gives us good building blocks for next year,” she said.  

Continuing to drive forward Jenner’s eyes are on the ultimate prize.  

“I would love to be in a grand final with the Melbourne Mavericks,” she said.  

“We've got a very exciting group there and the goal is to win the championship.  

“I also love playing for the country, to be able to get back into the Diamonds environment is another goal.”  

READY FOR FAST5   

While not in the Diamonds current squad the defender still gets to pull on the green and gold this year with a call up to the Australian Fast5 Netball World Series team.  

The 26-year-old, is a veteran in the Fast5 team, this year marking the third time she’s been selected.   

"It's always such an honour to be able to wear green and gold,” she said.   

“It’s something you always dream of doing, when an opportunity comes up it’s really exciting.”  

Jenner thrives in the Fast5 environment, adapting to the challenges the non-traditional version of netball brings.   

“I love the fast pace, it's riskier you have to take more risks to get rewards,” she said.   

"As a defender, you have to change your game when they can take two and three-point shots and then they get doubled, it's super important to always play opposite to what you normally would to push the shooters closer to the ring.”    

Adding to the challenge this year is the addition of a new rule where once the ball has progressed out of a third towards the attacking team’s goal the side cannot pass the ball back into the third.   

"It is always good to have that back up option, particularly when you don’t see the weakness in the opposition’s defence so not being able to have that option will definitely challenge the teams and create new tactics,” she said.    

With years of experience at the tournament, Jenner is prepared to expect the unexpected.   

“New Zealand and Jamaica always have very strong teams,” she said.   

“But Fast5 really comes down to your performance on the day and time, those three and two-point shots really make a difference.   

“Every game is tight and hard.”  

SELECTION WOES  

Although she’s bounced around from state to state and will represent Australia again this year, Jenner’s biggest challenge has been her personal struggle to deal with the disappointment of missing out on selections throughout her career.  

“Missing out on being selected for teams is always challenging,” she said.  

“Trying to get back up to your peak performance and striving to make those teams is hard.” 

The 26-year-old's advice for netballers coming through the pathways now is to not beat themselves up about missing out on a team.  

"There's so many different pathways you can take to get to the top level and missing out on one team doesn't mean it's all over,” she said.  
 
“There's always different ways to come back, trust the process, ensure you still love the game and put 100 per cent into every session you do to get the most out of what you’ve got.”