The unlikely sports stars who convinced former Diamonds star Gretel Bueta to snub Super Netball return
Updated . First published at
Former Diamonds star Gretel Bueta has revealed she had preliminary discussions with both Queensland Super Netball clubs before a pair of unlikely sporting superstars convinced her to join the Malaysian team, the Johor Jewels.
Last week, Bueta announced she had signed with the Malaysian Netball Super League side for next year's competition.
The campaign is a three-month commitment for Bueta, encompassing pre-season training and the six-week competition.
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Gretel Bueta of Australia warms up ahead of the semi-final match at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Mark Kolbe via Getty Images
Committing to Super Netball would have positioned Bueta for a Diamonds comeback and a shot at defending the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow. However, the mother-of-three admitted the shortened Malaysian season was more manageable than committing to the demands of the world's best league.
After holding preliminary talks with Firebirds coach Kiri Wills regarding a possible return to her former club, Bueta ultimately chose the Malaysian league, revealing that the Jewels' successful recruitment was heavily influenced by global sporting figures Tim Cahill and Sonny Bill Williams.
Cahill, who has a link to Bueta through the recruitment agency Talentlockr, also serves as a Special Advisor to the Prince of Johor, Tunku Ismail. Meanwhile, Williams works closely with teams in the southern Malaysian state in his role as Johor Sports Ambassador.
"We sat down with Sonny Bill Williams and his family," Bueta told Fox Netball.
"He's running the rugby program over there, and Tim's the football adviser over there.
"It was really appealing, and we kind of grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Gretel Bueta in action for the Queensland Firebirds. Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images
"It's been ticking along in the background for a while, but it's finally come to fruition."
Following the birth of her first son, Bobby, Bueta made a stellar return to Australian netball, culminating in her starring role for the Diamonds' 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal win. She then took a break from the sport after the 2022 Super Netball season, welcoming her second son, Toby, in August 2023.
The 32-year-old and former Silver Ferns star Maria Folau are co-founders of the Fire5 netball tournament, a Fast5 competition set to take place on the Gold Coast later this month.
"Super Netball is obviously the best league in the world, and it's an honour to be a part of the league, but this really intrigued us," Bueta said.
"It's something different, and I think with netball, we're beating hard to get it in the Olympics, and you want netball all around the world to grow.
"And that's, that's what excites me the most."
Speculation over Bueta's return to elite netball reached a frenzy earlier this year after a video surfaced showing her doing ball work with Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich.
The Aussie mentor added fuel to the fire by refusing to rule out a comeback for Bueta, who had just welcomed her third child, daughter Lacy, in January.
Bueta confirmed she was "well and truly on the comeback train", actively working with Marinkovich and planning a Super Netball return before the opportunity to play in Malaysia unexpectedly arose.
"She's got so much faith in me, that woman, that's why she brings out the best in everyone, because she just instils this belief," Bueta said of Marinkovich.
"We had some great chats, actually, after [the birth of] Lacy.
"I think I did about 12 sessions with her, so I was well and truly on the comeback train, and then, this opportunity came up.
"Going back to Super Netball was definitely a thought of ours, and I started training with Stacey, but with three kids, it's really hard.
"[The Jewels], for our family, was the perfect decision."
Last week, Bueta participated in her first training camp with the Jewels in Malaysia, meeting both the playing group and the team owner, Her Highness Che' Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor.
The Malaysian Netball Super League typically runs early in the year.
