Latest news with #Fretwell
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Diamonds and Lightning star ends golden career
Two-time premiership-winning shooter and Diamonds star Steph Fretwell has called time on a glittering 11-year career. The 33-year-old has won just about everything, collecting World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold medals with the Diamonds as well as two Suncorp Super Netball titles with the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Fretwell is known for her iconic 'step-back shot', which she executed to perfection most recently against the Swifts to snatch the game. The Lightning captain said after thinking about her future options, she knew it was the right time to close this chapter of her life. "After a decade playing at the top level, I'm taking a step back from playing elite netball, feeling both content and beyond grateful for the opportunities netball has given me," Fretwell said. "I took the time to really think about my future and all the options in front of me, and I just knew in my heart the timing was right. "I'm ready to close this chapter as a player and step into new opportunities that will let me give back to the game in different ways, through mentoring, development and advocacy for the sport I love. "Netball has been such a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and while I'm sad it's come to an end, I'm feeling excited for what's ahead." Fretwell began her professional career at the NSW Swifts, where she made two appearances in the ANZ Premiership final. From there, she went from strength to strength, becoming the Sunshine Coast's first signing in 2016 before reaching three consecutive Super Netball finals. The premierships in 2017 and 2018 made the Lightning the most successful start-up sporting franchise in Australian history. She made her debut performance for the Diamonds in 2017 and went on to make 56 appearances for the national team. One of her most notable displays was in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against Jamaica where she shot 29 goals and provided 14 assists, guiding the Diamonds to the grand final. Sunshine Coast coach Belinda Reynolds described her as a "fierce competitor" on the court. "Players like Steph don't come around very often," Reynolds said. "She's not only been a world-class athlete but an incredible leader and role model. "Her impact will be felt across the Sunshine Coast, the country and the global netball community for years to come." Two-time premiership-winning shooter and Diamonds star Steph Fretwell has called time on a glittering 11-year career. The 33-year-old has won just about everything, collecting World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold medals with the Diamonds as well as two Suncorp Super Netball titles with the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Fretwell is known for her iconic 'step-back shot', which she executed to perfection most recently against the Swifts to snatch the game. The Lightning captain said after thinking about her future options, she knew it was the right time to close this chapter of her life. "After a decade playing at the top level, I'm taking a step back from playing elite netball, feeling both content and beyond grateful for the opportunities netball has given me," Fretwell said. "I took the time to really think about my future and all the options in front of me, and I just knew in my heart the timing was right. "I'm ready to close this chapter as a player and step into new opportunities that will let me give back to the game in different ways, through mentoring, development and advocacy for the sport I love. "Netball has been such a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and while I'm sad it's come to an end, I'm feeling excited for what's ahead." Fretwell began her professional career at the NSW Swifts, where she made two appearances in the ANZ Premiership final. From there, she went from strength to strength, becoming the Sunshine Coast's first signing in 2016 before reaching three consecutive Super Netball finals. The premierships in 2017 and 2018 made the Lightning the most successful start-up sporting franchise in Australian history. She made her debut performance for the Diamonds in 2017 and went on to make 56 appearances for the national team. One of her most notable displays was in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against Jamaica where she shot 29 goals and provided 14 assists, guiding the Diamonds to the grand final. Sunshine Coast coach Belinda Reynolds described her as a "fierce competitor" on the court. "Players like Steph don't come around very often," Reynolds said. "She's not only been a world-class athlete but an incredible leader and role model. "Her impact will be felt across the Sunshine Coast, the country and the global netball community for years to come." Two-time premiership-winning shooter and Diamonds star Steph Fretwell has called time on a glittering 11-year career. The 33-year-old has won just about everything, collecting World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold medals with the Diamonds as well as two Suncorp Super Netball titles with the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Fretwell is known for her iconic 'step-back shot', which she executed to perfection most recently against the Swifts to snatch the game. The Lightning captain said after thinking about her future options, she knew it was the right time to close this chapter of her life. "After a decade playing at the top level, I'm taking a step back from playing elite netball, feeling both content and beyond grateful for the opportunities netball has given me," Fretwell said. "I took the time to really think about my future and all the options in front of me, and I just knew in my heart the timing was right. "I'm ready to close this chapter as a player and step into new opportunities that will let me give back to the game in different ways, through mentoring, development and advocacy for the sport I love. "Netball has been such a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and while I'm sad it's come to an end, I'm feeling excited for what's ahead." Fretwell began her professional career at the NSW Swifts, where she made two appearances in the ANZ Premiership final. From there, she went from strength to strength, becoming the Sunshine Coast's first signing in 2016 before reaching three consecutive Super Netball finals. The premierships in 2017 and 2018 made the Lightning the most successful start-up sporting franchise in Australian history. She made her debut performance for the Diamonds in 2017 and went on to make 56 appearances for the national team. One of her most notable displays was in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against Jamaica where she shot 29 goals and provided 14 assists, guiding the Diamonds to the grand final. Sunshine Coast coach Belinda Reynolds described her as a "fierce competitor" on the court. "Players like Steph don't come around very often," Reynolds said. "She's not only been a world-class athlete but an incredible leader and role model. "Her impact will be felt across the Sunshine Coast, the country and the global netball community for years to come."
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Diamonds and Lightning star ends golden career
Two-time premiership-winning shooter and Diamonds star Steph Fretwell has called time on a glittering 11-year career. The 33-year-old has won just about everything, collecting World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold medals with the Diamonds as well as two Suncorp Super Netball titles with the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Fretwell is known for her iconic 'step-back shot', which she executed to perfection most recently against the Swifts to snatch the game. The Lightning captain said after thinking about her future options, she knew it was the right time to close this chapter of her life. "After a decade playing at the top level, I'm taking a step back from playing elite netball, feeling both content and beyond grateful for the opportunities netball has given me," Fretwell said. "I took the time to really think about my future and all the options in front of me, and I just knew in my heart the timing was right. "I'm ready to close this chapter as a player and step into new opportunities that will let me give back to the game in different ways, through mentoring, development and advocacy for the sport I love. "Netball has been such a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and while I'm sad it's come to an end, I'm feeling excited for what's ahead." Fretwell began her professional career at the NSW Swifts, where she made two appearances in the ANZ Premiership final. From there, she went from strength to strength, becoming the Sunshine Coast's first signing in 2016 before reaching three consecutive Super Netball finals. The premierships in 2017 and 2018 made the Lightning the most successful start-up sporting franchise in Australian history. She made her debut performance for the Diamonds in 2017 and went on to make 56 appearances for the national team. One of her most notable displays was in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against Jamaica where she shot 29 goals and provided 14 assists, guiding the Diamonds to the grand final. Sunshine Coast coach Belinda Reynolds described her as a "fierce competitor" on the court. "Players like Steph don't come around very often," Reynolds said. "She's not only been a world-class athlete but an incredible leader and role model. "Her impact will be felt across the Sunshine Coast, the country and the global netball community for years to come."
USA Today
26-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama flips 2026 offensive line commit from ACC program
Only days after landing their second quarterback of the cycle, the Alabama Crimson Tide have now added another commitment to their 2026 recruiting class, this time via a flip. That is because, on Friday afternoon, offensive line prospect Bear Fretwell officially announced that he was flipping his commitment to the Crimson Tide from Georgia Tech. Fretwell, an in-state prospect for the Yellow Jackets, had previously been committed to Georgia Tech since June. According to the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings, Fretwell is currently considered as the nation's No. 702 overall prospect in the 2026 class, as well as the No. 61 offensive tackle nationally. A three-star prospect, Fretwell also ranks as the No. 78 player in the state of Georgia where he attends Southeast Bulloch High School. Following the flip of Fretwell to Alabama, the Crimson Tide's class now sits at No. 4 nationally, per 247Sports, with 21 total commitments. Of those 21, five come from the state of Georgia. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Emperor penguin populations declining faster than expected due to climate change
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Emperor penguins number about a quarter of a million breeding pairs, all in Antarctica, according to a 2020 study. – Emperor penguin populations in Antarctica have shrunk by almost a quarter as global warming transforms their icy habitat, according to new research on June 10 that warned the losses were far worse than previously imagined. Scientists monitoring the world's largest penguin species used satellites to assess 16 colonies in the Antarctic peninsula, Weddell Sea and Bellingshausen Sea, representing nearly a third of the global emperor penguin population. What they found was 'probably about 50 per cent worse' than even the most pessimistic estimate of current populations using computer modelling, said Dr Peter Fretwell, who tracks wildlife from space at the British Antarctic Survey. Researchers know that climate change is driving the losses, but the speed of the declines is a particular cause for alarm. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications: Earth & Environment, found that numbers declined 22 per cent in the 15 years to 2024 for the colonies monitored. This compares with an earlier estimate of a 9.5 per cent reduction across Antarctica as a whole between 2009 and 2018. Warming is thinning and destabilising the ice under the penguins' feet in their breeding grounds. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore Anjani Sinha has a rough day at Senate hearing Asia Dr Mahathir at 100: Still haunted by the Malay Dilemma Singapore What's next for PSP following its post-GE leadership shake-up? Singapore 'Give a positive review': Hidden AI prompt found in academic paper by NUS researchers Multimedia 60 objects to mark SG60: Which is your favourite? Singapore Apex court upholds SMC's conviction of doctor who gave patients unapproved hormones Singapore Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand for suspected drug trafficking and handed over to CNB World Trump issues tariff notices to 7 minor trading partners, hits Brazil with 50% tariff In recent years, some colonies have lost all their chicks because the ice has given way beneath them, plunging hatchlings into the sea before they were old enough to cope with the freezing ocean. Dr Fretwell said the new research suggests penguin numbers have been declining since the monitoring began in 2009. That is even before global warming was having a major impact on the sea ice, which forms over open water adjacent to land in the region. But he said the culprit is still likely to be climate change, with warming driving other challenges for the penguins, such as higher rainfall or increasing encroachment from predators. 'Emperor penguins are probably the most clear-cut example of where climate change is really showing its effect,' Dr Fretwell said. 'There's no fishing. There's no habitat destruction. There's no pollution that is causing their populations to decline,' he added. 'It's just the temperatures in the ice on which they breed and live, and that's really climate change.' A study found that Emperor penguin populations in Antarctica declined 22 per cent in the 15 years to 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS 'Worrying result' Emperor penguins, aka Aptenodytes forsteri, number about a quarter of a million breeding pairs, all in Antarctica, according to a 2020 study. A baby emperor penguin emerges from an egg kept warm in winter by a male, while the female in a breeding pair embarks on a two-month fishing expedition. When she returns to the colony, she feeds the hatchling by regurgitating. To survive on their own, chicks must develop waterproof feathers, a process that typically starts in mid-December. Dr Fretwell said there is hope that the penguins may go further south in the future but added that it is not clear 'how long they're going to last out there'. Computer models have projected that the species will be near extinction by the end of the century if humans do not slash their planet-heating emissions. The latest study suggests the picture could be even worse. 'We may have to rethink those models now with this new data,' Dr Fretwell said. 'We really do need to look at the rest of the population to see if this worrying result transfers around the continent.' But he stressed there was still time to reduce the threat to the penguins. 'We've got this really depressing picture of climate change and falling populations even faster than we thought, but it's not too late,' he said. 'We're probably going to lose a lot of emperor penguins along the way, but if people do change, and if we do reduce or turn around our climate emissions, then we will save the emperor penguin.' AFP
The Star
14-06-2025
- Science
- The Star
Emperor penguin populations declining faster than expected
Scientists monitoring the world's largest penguin species used satellites to assess 16 colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea and Bellingshausen Sea. — Photos: AFP Emperor penguin populations in Antarctica have shrunk by almost a quarter as global warming transforms their icy habitat, according to new research released June 10 that warned the losses were far worse than previously imagined. Scientists monitoring the world's largest penguin species used satellites to assess 16 colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea and Bellingshausen Sea, representing nearly a third of the global emperor penguin population. What they found was "probably about 50% worse" than even the most pessimistic estimate of current populations using computer modelling, said Peter Fretwell, who tracks wildlife from space at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Researchers know that climate change is driving the losses but the speed of the declines is a particular cause for alarm. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications: Earth & Environment, found that numbers declined 22% in the 15 years to 2024 for the colonies monitored. This compares with an earlier estimate of a 9.5% reduction across Antarctica as a whole between 2009 and 2018. Warming is thinning and destabilising the ice under the penguins' feet in their breeding grounds. In recent years, some colonies have lost all their chicks because the ice has given way beneath them, plunging hatchlings into the sea before they were old enough to cope with the freezing ocean. Fretwell said the new research suggests penguin numbers have been declining since the monitoring began in 2009. That is even before global warming was having a major impact on the sea ice, which forms over open water adjacent to land in the region. But he said the culprit is still likely to be climate change, with warming driving other challenges for the penguins, such as higher rainfall or increasing encroachment from predators. "Emperor penguins are probably the most clear-cut example of where climate change is really showing its effect," Fretwell said. "There's no fishing. There's no habitat destruction. There's no pollution which is causing their populations to decline. "It's just the temperatures in the ice on which they breed and live, and that's really climate change." Scientists monitoring the world's largest penguin species used satellites to assess 16 colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea and Bellingshausen Sea. — Photos: AFP Worrying result Emperor penguins, aka Aptenodytes forsteri, number about a quarter of a million breeding pairs, all in Antarctica, according to a 2020 study. A baby emperor penguin emerges from an egg kept warm in winter by a male, while the female in a breeding pair embarks on a two-month fishing expedition. When she returns to the colony, she feeds the hatchling by regurgitating and then both parents take turns to forage. To survive on their own, chicks must develop waterproof feathers, a process that typically starts in mid-December. The new research uses high resolution satellite imagery during the months of October and November, before the region is plunged into winter darkness. Fretwell said future research could use other types of satellite monitoring, like radar or thermal imaging, to capture populations in the darker months, as well as expand to the other colonies. "We really do need to look at the rest of the population to see if this worrying result transfers around the continent," he said, adding however that the colonies studied were considered representative. He said there is hope that the penguins may go further south to colder regions in the future but added that it is not clear "how long they're going to last out there". Computer models have projected that the species will be near extinction by the end of the century if humans do not slash their planet-heating emissions. The latest study suggests the picture could be even worse. "We may have to rethink those models now with this new data," said Fretwell. But he stressed there was still time to reduce the threat to the penguins. "We've got this really depressing picture of climate change and falling populations even faster than we thought but it's not too late," he said. "We're probably going to lose a lot of emperor penguins along the way but if people do change, and if we do reduce or turn around our climate emissions, then then will we save the emperor penguin." – AFP
