The Proteas star made an immediate impact in Australia, finishing as the league’s leading scorer and helping the Adelaide Thunderbirds secure the championship title.
Australia (03 November 2026) – South African netball star Elmeré van der Berg has enjoyed a debut season to remember in Australia, adding the Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year award to an already impressive list of achievements.
The 25-year-old Proteas shooter made an immediate impression after joining the Adelaide Thunderbirds, playing a crucial role in their successful 2026 campaign.
The league summed up Van der Berg’s impact in their Player of the Year announcement video, describing her as “cool, composed, clinical” and declaring: “Elmeré van der Berg doesn’t miss.”
Van der Berg finished the season as the competition’s leading scorer, finding the net 810 times at an impressive 91% accuracy. Her consistency in the shooting circle also saw her collect several Player of the Match honours, while she was named in the league’s Team of the Year.
Her contribution was particularly evident in the grand final, where she scored 51 goals from 52 attempts as the Thunderbirds defeated the Melbourne Vixens 61-40 to claim the championship.
The organisation also highlighted her technical ability and composure under pressure, with the video praising her “smooth footwork, clean hands” before adding: “The pressure’s on and she lifts every single time.”
The award, announced at the Netball Australia awards on 30 October, provides further recognition of what has been a remarkable first season in the competition for the South African international.
Watch the video here.
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