Origin Diamonds superstar and reigning Liz Ellis Diamond winner Gretel Bueta will step away from all netball after announcing that she is expecting the birth of her first child with husband Niko in January.
The brilliant news comes after a huge year for Bueta, who played in her first Netball World Cup in July, was named the Liz Ellis Diamond in November and got married in March.
“Niko and I are so excited there is a new addition coming to our family and really grateful for the way in which the club has embraced our news,” Bueta said.
Bueta is coming off a career defining year on the international stage, making 13 appearances for the Diamonds during the Northern Quad Series, Netball World Cup and Constellation Cup scoring 267 goals from 280 attempts.
She also starred for the Firebirds in the Suncorp Super Netball league where she shot 394 goals from 411 attempts at an incredible 96% accuracy.
Bueta’s brilliance at both the international and domestic levels was celebrated at the Australian Netball Awards in November where she was awarded the Liz Ellis Diamond, Netball Australia’s highest honour.
A much beloved athlete, the brilliant news has warmed the hearts of many in the Australian Netball community, including Netball Australia Executive General Manager of Performance Stacey West and Queensland Firebirds Head Coach Rosalee Jencke.
“We congratulate Gretel and Niko on this incredible news and wish them all the best during this exciting time,” said an ecstatic West.
“We look forward to welcoming Gretel back into the Origin Diamonds program when she feels she’s ready to make herself ready for selection again.”
“The Queensland Firebirds is a family club to its very core, and we are thrilled for Gretel and Niko as they embark on this special journey together,” Jencke said.
“Gretel will have a seat next to me on the bench and continue to have the full support of our club throughout the year before we all welcome baby Bueta with open arms.”
