Why Wallam chooses fear over comfort

By Stephanie Smarrelli

Donnell Wallam has learned to trust the decisions that scare her.

Every major turning point in the Sunshine Coast Lightning shooter’s career has started with uncertainty. From boarding a flight to England, to rebuilding herself in New Zealand after one of the toughest periods of her career.

Looking back now, Wallam can see how those uncomfortable moments have shaped her.

The 32-year-old’s rise to netball superstar status may have seemed sudden to outsiders, but Wallam has built her career on a series of life-changing decisions and a willingness to say ‘yes’ to the unknown. 

Originally pursuing pathways towards a basketball career, the Lightning goaler only played netball socially at first. 

That shift from social to elite began in 2018 when she was invited to play in Western Australia’s state league competition.

From there, her rise through the netball ranks accelerated quickly. Representing the West Coast Warriors in the WA state league helped her realise a new ambition to play netball professionally. 

In pursuit of that ambition, Wallam took a leap of faith in 2021, moving to the UK to play with the Leeds Rhinos under then coach Dan Ryan.

“It was quite scary,” Wallam confessed. 
 

“I hadn't been out of Australia before, I remember landing in Manchester and thinking ‘what am I doing here?’  

“It literally seemed like a whole different world, but everybody was so welcoming, I even spent Christmas Day with Dan and his partner over there.” 

Wallam credits her Rhinos teammates for making her feel at home despite being on the other side of the world. 

“I lived with five teammates in what we called the ‘netball house’ and that was really fun,” she said. 

“Living with them brought me out of my shell a bit off the court, which then translated into playing on the court better because I had that strong connection with them.” 

Her time in England wasn’t without its challenges though, the goaler breaking her arm in Round 2. 

"That was my biggest challenge overseas, I needed to have an operation, and I was out for about seven weeks,” Wallam said. 

“Luckily it was a long season, so I got to play the second half which I really loved. 

The side made finals, but Wallam had to make a tough decision to return home to be with her family. 
 

“My nanna had passed away so I decided to come back home and didn't play in the final,” Wallam explained.  

“It was a really difficult decision to make because I really enjoyed playing over in the UK. 

“I loved my teammates, but I wasn't in a great place. 

“I was grieving, I was really close with my nanna and knew I wouldn't give 100 per cent if I did go back to the UK.”  

Wallam was well supported in her decision to return home by her family and state league coach Lorraine Ward.  

Wallam and Ward had discussed her returning to state league netball in WA before a big opportunity came knocking.  

“When the contract with the Queensland Firebirds came up, I'd been home for a few months and was in a better headspace to make another move away,” Wallam said. 

Wallam made her SSN debut at 27-years-old, replacing a pregnant Romelda Aiken-George in the Firebirds side. 

“It was quite a weird feeling,” Wallam recalled. 
 

“I won Rookie of the Year which felt weird because those normally go to a teenager or young  20-year-olds.  

“I remember every team I faced; I was a little bit starstruck because I'd been watching these teams and players on the TV for so long.” 

Wallam went on to make her Australian Diamonds debut in the same year. There was a lot playing out in the media at the time, but she was able to rise above the noise and make her mark. 

“It was crazy, I was not expecting to make the squad in my first year,” Wallam said. 

“Coming into the sport so late at the age I did, I didn't think the Diamonds was ever going to be an opportunity for me.” 

Wallam still remembers the feeling of making her debut for the Australian team, slotting a buzzer-beating goal against England. 

"It was just incredible, it's one of the proudest moments of my sporting career," she said. 

"With everything that was going on in the media, it was a very hard time especially having to perform with all that pressure. 

“It's something I'd never experienced and as soon as that goal went in, I felt a weight off my shoulders.   
 

“I haven't fully reflected on that moment, and I don't think I will until my career is over, but every time I speak about it the one thing I do remember is the support from my teammates, they really carried me through that tour.” 

That unwavering support is a big part of why Wallam treasures the bond she shares with her Diamonds teammates.

"I love going into that environment," she said. 

“It's always nerve-wracking going into a camp or a tour but then once you get in there, you're just like ‘this is why I love being a Diamond’.  

“Everyone gets around each other, we really live those ‘sisters in arms’ values. 

"We're always challenging each other, I get the best out of myself when I’m coming out of those camps and tours. 

“The coaching staff and Stacey [Marinkovich] bring the best out of me, I’m challenged in a different way to the SSN environment.” 

After a breakout few years, the Queensland Firebirds made the decision not to re-sign Wallam for 2025. 

It was difficult at the time, but the shooter was fortunate to have a few options ahead of her. 

The one she pursued? 

A move across the ditch to New Zealand’s Northern Mystics. 

“I met with two New Zealand teams and the Mystics felt like the right fit after speaking with Tia [Winikerei].  

“Initially I was so scared but that's what pushed me into going – I knew if it scared me, it must be the right decision.” 

What followed confirmed she had made the right call for herself.

“I grew as a person,” she said. 

“I loved every moment over there and how much the Mystics embed the Māori culture into everything they do.”

A proud Noongar woman, Wallam’s First Nations background is an important part of who she is, and the way the Mystics embraced culture made the transition from Australia to New Zealand much easier.  

“They have a real human approach to absolutely everything they do,” Wallam explained.  
 

"The language they speak, down to the simple terms of calling each other ‘sis’, was so relatable. 

“Being around like-minded people who share a similar culture and values made it easy to fit in over there.” 

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the goaler though, her season hampered by injury. 

“It seems to be a pattern, I go overseas and I break my arm,” Wallam joked. 

“But having had that experience in England, I knew what I needed to do while off the court. 

“That experience really helped my mindset to overcome the injury and focus on what I could do; getting fitter, running or working harder in the gym. 

“I also had good medical staff around me, including the Diamonds’ doctors and club checking in, so I was in a great space mentally to overcome that.”

With a strong season at the Mystics under her belt once she returned from injury, Wallam had planned to stay with the club. 

But one phone call changed that. 

“When I got the call from Belinda [Reynolds], it made me stop and think,” Wallam said. 

“I do want to try and get back into the Diamonds and tour again so that was a big driving force behind coming back. 

“I also wanted to re-write my experience in SSN. 

"I'm so glad I made that decision because I'm absolutely loving it.” 

Wallam acknowledged the Lightning side hasn’t performed to their full potential during this season. 

“We're not getting the amount of wins we would like, but I'm being challenged at Lightning and am stepping out of my shell up here,” she said. 

“We've got such a high calibre of players, we challenge each other at training and we're trying to bring the best out of each other.  

“We've got such a good team on paper, we're finally seeing it come together.” 

Away from the court, Wallam is soaking up the Sunny Coast lifestyle.
 

“I’m loving the lifestyle,” she said. 

“It’s very chill, it’s nice having a coffee and then going down to the beach.”

But while she’s embraced the slower pace off the court, looking back over the past few years has given her a strong appreciation of how far she’s come.

“It's really taught me how resilient I am,” she said. 

“When I think of everything that I have been through, and I think of how great the netball community can be, it's my resilience to bounce back that I'm really proud of. 

“I'll keep showing up for my team and keep showing up for my community and being an example to young First Nations kids.” 

This article has been brought to you by Suncorp. Suncorp’s mission is to help more women and girls stay in sport, while encouraging more Australians to back them every step of the way. Because Suncorp knows this takes more than just the players. It takes a team.