Chelsea Pitman will join the GIANTS’ list for the 2024 season as a temporary replacement player.
The recently retired English Rose will join the GIANTS as a replacement player for midcourter Maddie Hay.
Hay underwent hip surgery in the off-season and is expected to miss the entirety of pre-season as well as the first part of the season as she completes her extensive rehabilitation.
Pitman is the perfect replacement for Hay, with the experienced campaigner expected to make a seamless transition into the GIANTS’ line up.
With 67 international games and 19 seasons at the National League level, Pitman is another recruit that will bolster the GIANTS’ young list.
The 35-year-old Randwick junior has represented both Australia and England on the international stage – including at the most recent Netball World Cup in South Africa – as well as national league teams in Australia, New Zealand and most recently the United Kingdom.
However, 2024 won’t be the first time Pitman has donned the orange and charcoal, with the then-West Coast Fever training partner joining the GIANTS’ game day squad in round two of season 2022 under the league’s COVID-19 contingency framework.
Pitman said she is excited by the opportunity to don the GIANTS’ colours in season 2024.
“I’m technically already in the history books as GIANT #27 from my brief stint in 2022, but the opportunity just to be here and be back under Julie (Fitzgerald), with whom I started my career with here in Sydney, is awesome,” Pitman said.
“I’ve always been someone to take any opportunity with two hands and gone where I'm wanted or somewhere I see environment to push myself and make myself a better netballer.
“So, to take this opportunity with the GIANTS is amazing because the SSN is definitely the number one netball competition in the world and for me to have that opportunity to step foot on that court again, I cannot wait.”
GIANTS head coach Julie Fitzgerald echoed Pitman’s excitement to reunite as she welcomed her to the club
“We’re extremely lucky to have someone of her experience and calibre join our line up given the circumstances,” Fitzgerald said.
“She’s a crafty, clever player with great vision that will complement our attacking end.
“As we share our excitement in welcoming Chelsea into our squad, I'd also like to acknowledge Maddie Hay for the hard work and determination she has showed in her early stages of rehabilitation from her hip surgery.
“Maddie will remain an integral part of our team as she completes her rehab, and we look forward to hopefully seeing her back on the court in the not-to-distant future.”
The GIANTS are in full pre-season mode for the upcoming Super Netball Season, with the GIANTS to open the new season on Saturday, April 13 when they take on the West Coast Fever at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Join Chelsea and Be Part of Something Greater in 2024 by becoming a GIANTS Netball member.
