Chanel’s connection to West Australian netball began more than a decade ago, when she was affiliated with Rangers while playing with West Coast Fever in 2012.
After her time with Fever, she returned home to Queensland, before eventually making her way back to Perth and joining the Demons, a club that would become a constant in the later stages of her career.
Over six years with the club, Chanel became an important figure in the Demons environment, serving as captain across multiple seasons and helping guide the team through a significant period of growth.
“I think for us as a club, just to see where we’ve come from has been amazing,” Chanel said.
“When I first started, the girls hadn’t won a game in a couple of years. The first few years we were pretty much sitting at the bottom, and then as each year went on, we got more and more successful.”
That progression culminated in four consecutive finals appearances and, in Chanel’s final season, a minor premiership, an achievement she said reflected the determination and connection within the group.
Although Chanel had hoped to finish her career with a grand final appearance, she said the season still stood out as one of the great highlights of her time in the game.
“I never played in a grand final, so I never got that dream come true, but minor premiers is pretty amazing,” she said.
“Just to see how far the club has come is something I’m really proud of.”
Chanel’s career has also been shaped by resilience. After suffering a serious hip injury while playing at elite level, she stepped away from professional netball, returned to Queensland and underwent major surgery.
Her road back to the court was long, but she eventually returned to the sport a rarity, resuming playing netball after a total hip replacement.
That experience changed the way she approached the game. Having come from an elite environment, Chanel said she tried to bring high standards, professionalism and care into the Demons program.
“I’ve always had that high expectation of elite sport, and I really tried to bring that into the environment for the club,” she said.
When Chanel moved back to Perth, Demons coach Josie Janz-Dawson gave her the opportunity to return to the GIG WANL netball scene. Chanel said Janz-Dawson's belief in her, despite the challenges she had faced physically, was something she would always value.
“I am so honestly grateful to Josie,” Chanel said.
“She gave me that opportunity, and I’m really grateful to Demons as a club, but even more to my coach, who is also a dear friend of mine.”
Chanel also credited the wider Demons community, including president Helen Robinson, for helping make the club feel like home. For an athlete living away from family, she said that support made a lasting difference.
Her decision to retire comes as she prepares for another hip replacement in November. While Chanel said she would have loved to keep playing, her body has told her it is time.
“I honestly would love to keep playing. I just love being in the environment, but physically, I just can’t do it anymore,” she said.
Chanel said the response from her teammates and the wider netball community had made the farewell easier to accept.
“I have been showered with the kindest support throughout this process,” she said.
“It made it really hard to say goodbye, but also comfortable as well. I have no regrets because of the support I’ve received.”
Away from netball, Chanel works as a school teacher supporting students with disability. She said retirement would allow her to focus on her wellbeing and step back from the demands of balancing work with high-level netball.
While she does not yet know exactly what her next role in netball will look like, Chanel plans to remain connected to the Demons community and continue supporting the team from the sidelines.
Looking ahead, she believes the Demons have the foundation to keep building, provided the group stays committed and connected.
“The girls need to continue to commit to each other,” Chanel said.
“You can have amazing players in your team, but if they don’t connect with each other, then you’re not going to be as successful. It’s important for them to keep growing together.”
As Chanel closes this chapter, she does so with pride in what she helped build, gratitude for those who supported her and confidence that the Demons’ best years are still ahead.
