After a seven-year pursuit, Ugandan netball sensation Mary Cholhok has finally landed in Australia to compete in the prestigious Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League with the Queensland Firebirds. The 201cm goal shooter, a multiple-time English Super League champion, previously turned down two opportunities to play under coach Kiri Wills in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership due to university commitments. However, fate has now aligned their paths, with Wills securing Cholhok as a key recruit for her inaugural season at the Firebirds’ helm.
Wills, who was appointed Firebirds coach in July 2024, wasted no time in assembling her squad, bringing in Cholhok alongside English midcourter Imogen Allison. The former Northern Stars coach expressed her excitement at finally securing the towering shooter, praising her evolution into a world-class player. “Mary’s height is an obvious asset, but her athleticism, precision, and scoring volume make her an elite competitor,” Wills stated. With her dominant presence in the shooting circle, Cholhok is expected to pose a formidable challenge for SSN defenders.
Adjusting to the Queensland heat after years in England’s cold climate, Cholhok is eager to prove herself on one of netball’s biggest stages. “It’s the big league – the big dogs play here. I’m excited to push my limits and grow alongside my teammates,” she remarked. The journey to this point, however, has been anything but easy. Cholhok fled war-torn South Sudan as a child before rising through the ranks in Ugandan netball, where her talent earned her a place in England’s Netball Super League (NSL).
Her success has come with personal sacrifices, including a painful decision to leave her young son behind in Uganda while pursuing her professional career. Now, with her family finally joining her in Australia, she sees this new chapter as a chance to inspire African netballers dreaming of global success. “I represent both South Sudan and Uganda, and I want to show young girls that if you dream it, you can achieve it—but you have to put in the work,” she declared.
With her first Firebirds appearance just days away, Cholhok is ready to shine on Australian soil. Her arrival signals not only the culmination of a seven-year journey but also the dawn of an electrifying SSN season, where she aims to cement her legacy and elevate African netball talent on the world stage.
