Australia's Elite Netballers Score with Fertility Checks

New partnership between the Australian Netball Players’ Association and IVFAustralia, Melbourne IVF, Queensland Fertility Group and TasIVF help athletes plan for their future fertility health.

Australia’s elite netballers will have access to free fertility health checks under a new partnership between the Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA) and IVFAustralia, Melbourne IVF, Queensland Fertility Group and TasIVF - the first fertility care partnership of its kind in elite women’s netball, putting fertility health on the agenda for professional players.

The partnership goes beyond education, it provides players with a fertility assessment, including a pelvic ultrasound and an AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) blood test. Empowering players to identify and manage reproductive health challenges and focus on their future fertility.

Jo Weston, Australian Diamond/Melbourne Vixens and ANPA President, said the initiative reflects how far women’s sport has come. “We spend so much time focusing on our physical and mental wellbeing - it’s fantastic to see fertility health now recognised as part of that. Having access to trusted medical advice and key fertility tests gives players peace of mind and knowledge to plan for the future.”

Dr Kath Whitton, Fertility Specialist at IVFAustralia, said understanding fertility early empowers athletes to take control with confidence. “An AMH test and ultrasound give a clear picture of a woman’s ovarian reserve and reproductive health. For athletes, this knowledge is invaluable - it helps them make informed choices about timing, family planning and long-term wellbeing.”

Supporting players’ wellbeing – on and off the court

The partnership responds to findings from ANPA’s annual Wellbeing Survey, which revealed that more than half of players reported a fertility or reproductive health concern, and almost 90% said they would undertake a fertility check.

As players compete at elite levels and stay in the game longer thanks to advances in sports science, reproductive health is now a key part of holistic athlete wellbeing.

Former ANPA President and Diamond Nat Medhurst, now a mother of two, was 36 years old when she stepped away from the elite game. She has spoken openly about her own fertility health challenges. She added, “As players are playing for longer, it’s more important than ever to help athletes look after their fertility."

Female athletes face unique pressures - from demanding training schedules to the overlap between peak performance years and peak fertility - and this partnership helps players confidently include fertility health in their long-term life and career planning.

Sharyn Donaghy, ANPA General Manager of Athlete Wellbeing, said, “When athletes have confidence in their fertility health, it lifts a huge mental load. They can focus fully on performance knowing they’re looking after their future selves. This partnership reflects a whole-person approach to wellbeing.”

Kathryn Harby-Williams AM, CEO ANPA and former Diamonds Captain, says, “Fertility wasn’t something we talked about in my playing days - but this partnership enables us to have those conversations openly now. It strengthens the support and information we’re providing players, giving them the confidence to make informed choices about their health and their future. It’s an important piece of work that was long overdue, and one that puts athlete wellbeing at the centre.

From awareness to action

The partnership provides players with clear insights into reproductive health, with ongoing care and support options such as family planning, egg freezing or treatment.

Empowering athletes through education

Alongside the fertility checks, the partnership includes workshops, webinars, podcasts and online education to make fertility knowledge practical and accessible for athletes.

Beyond netball, the program aims to raise awareness among women in their 20s and 30s about fertility and age related fertility decline - using women’s sport as a powerful platform for education and empowerment. Women seeking advice about their fertility health are encouraged to book a consultation with a fertility specialist at one of the partner clinics - IVFAustralia, Melbourne IVF, Queensland Fertility Group and TasIVF.

Interview opportunities

•  Dr Kath Whitton, Fertility Specialist, IVFAustralia
• Dr Raelia Lew and Dr Mel Cameron, Fertility Specialists, Melbourne IVF
• Dr Manuela Toledo, Fertility Specialist, TasIVF
•  Netball players Jo Weston (Diamond/Melbourne Vixens), Tayla Williams (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Lauren Parkinson (nee Moore) (recently retired), Tara Hinchliffe (Melbourne Mavericks) and Nat Medhurst (Former ANPA President and Diamond)
• Kathryn Harby-Williams AM, CEO, ANPA and former Diamonds Captain
•  Sharyn Donaghy, General Manager of Athlete Wellbeing, ANPA

About the organisations

The Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA) represents Australia’s elite netballers, supporting their wellbeing, professional development and advocacy across all levels of the game.

IVFAustralia, Melbourne IVF, Queensland Fertility Group and TasIVF are leading fertility care provider helping individuals and couples understand and take control of their reproductive health through world-class science, personalised care and education.

ENDS
For further information contact:
Angela Read, Group PR & Media Manager, Virtus Health
M:+61 428 448 719
E: [email protected]