Jane has also coached the national men’s netball team, all part of the personal challenge and diversity of life that she seeks.
Jane Woodlands-Thompson is a seeker. Leading people is a passion.
Yes, she has mentored the Thunderbirds to the mountain peak in the most demanding netball league in the world, but growing her understanding of successful leadership remains a lifelong search.
She is curious about people and successful programs.
She seeks out human, technical and sports science innovation to keep herself “from getting bored.” She considers that if she isn’t stimulated by new ideas and challenges, then her players would not be either, leading to less than optimum output.
Woodlands-Thompson was appointed head coach of the Thunderbirds in 2008 and led them to two ANZ Championships – 2010 and 2013.
The media took notice, and the Thunderbirds became a household brand in SA and beyond.
Other sporting codes noted the coach’s expertise and sought her wisdom, she helping to appoint for example, the first two Adelaide Football Club’s AFLW coaches, Bec Godden and Matthew Clarke.
She has also coached the national men’s netball team, all part of the diversity and challenge she seeks.
Jane resigned after a nine-year stint as Thunderbirds coach and Netball SA’s general manager of high performance at the end of 2016.
She was appointed to a unique position as head of the Collingwood AFL Women’s and Super League Netball teams.
“Collingwood is ahead of its time, in terms of going back to that iconic netball-footy club partnership and bringing it to the professional level,” she said at the time.
While at Collingwood, she was invited to work alongside Noeline Taurua as an assistant with the NZ Ferns in a four Test Match series against Australia. Her acceptance raised eyebrows in Australia, but it was all part of the famous JWT search for new ideas and insights.
Woodlands-Thompson has also expanded her repertoire by writing a booklet called ‘The Netball Handbook – Winning Essentials for Players and Coaches’.
