By Sophie Taylor and Elizabeth Winter
"Looking for a contract to a Super Netball team is the main goal.”
South Australian talent Tabitha Packer was clear in her ambitions back in July, speaking during the Ocean of Power Tour to Samoa as part of the Australian Pathways team.
"I want to give myself an opportunity to really show what I've been working on, and that I can perform and fit into Super Netball,” she said.
Cut to a Monday in late August, and the Queensland Firebirds were announcing Packer as their latest signing for the 2027 Super Netball season.
The Samoa Ocean of Power Tour was not Packer's first foray into international netball. The green and gold dress has become a staple for the young star, with a variety of Pacific caps under her belt in the past few years.
Packer was also a Fast5 Netball gold medalist at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games and backed it up with a gold medal at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup.
“It's always such a privilege to put on the green and gold dress," Packer said.
"Being able to represent not just Australia but also the people that have gone into helping me along my journey."
Packer said bonds within the Australian pathways squad continue to grow despite having little time together away from tours.
Packer has been elevated to the Queensland Firebirds following another successful Australian pathways stint.
"Every time these opportunities come up, one of the best parts is getting to see the girls from other states. We really look forward to seeing each other," she said.
"We've created such strong connections. That's one of the most exciting things, representing your country and getting to spend that time together and play alongside each other."
Packer said the recent Ocean of Power tour was a true showcase of Samoan pride, welcomed at the airport by the Netball Samoa team and immediately immersed in Samoa’s rich culture.
“Getting to immerse ourselves in their ceremonies and listening to them sing, you can see they're all so proud of their culture,” Packer explained.
“Putting on the Puletasi, it was so special to be a part of it, instead of just watching it. It is something we'll now keep forever and always look back on.
“It's just so amazing to see how much the community and their culture means to them and how proud they are.”
Alongside recognising, learning and participating in Samoan customs, Packer and the Australian pathways team played three invitational matches against an open level team.
A different style of matchplay offered valuable insight and opportunity to the young group of Australian athletes.
Traditionally a defender by trade, Packer continues to develop her game further up the court.
“My biggest takeaway and success from this year was taking on that centre role and just how far I've come in that position,” Packer said.
“In the past I'd touched on it a little bit, but this is the first year that I was able to fully immerse in and continue there throughout the whole year.
“Getting to put that into action when we went away to Samoa, was one of the most positive things I took from this year.”
Packer has had a successful junior career through the South Australian pathway.
Packer said she enjoyed the challenge of adapting how she played her role on court.
"Netball the Australian way is quite different to other countries, so getting to play alongside a different style makes you adapt how you usually play," Packer explained.
"Being able to perform at your best in situations that are unfamiliar and without being very prepared for it... they were an open age team so very experienced and very strong bodies."
That adaptation went for her Australian teammates, too.
With fresh faces in the group and little opportunity to train together prior to the tour, Packer and her peers were challenged to step up in unfamiliar territory.
"It's really exciting getting to change how you play and having to adapt to each other, especially when you're going into environments where you don't really get that much time on court," she said.
"Getting put under that pressure and having to adapt in such a short amount of time really makes you improve as a player both on and off the court."
During the tour, and unaware of the contract to come, Packer was asked about her goals for the future and reflected on what she’s learned from her netball journey so far.
Discipline, balance, opportunity.
“Netball has given me so many friendships along the way, but it's also given me a lot of discipline and taught me that having balance is really important,” Packer said.
“Because at the end of the day, netball isn't your whole world. Even if it sometimes feels like it.”
Now, the young star has a new title to add to her repertoire: Queensland Firebirds recruit.
Her versatility will be a welcome addition to a new-look Firebirds side under head coach Kiri Wills.
Cara Koenen, Kimiora Poi and Lily Graham also join the squad for 2027.
Plus, having Firebirds MVP Kelly Jackson in the back-end will provide a great learning opportunity for Packer.
“I want to be in a team and be able to work alongside amazing players to keep progressing and learning, refining and becoming more confident,” she said.
So, what’s next for Tabitha Packer?
The sky’s the limit.
Read the full Ocean of Power Tour wrap HERE.
