One of the longest-serving Australian Diamond players, Caitlin is an extraordinary athlete having represented Australia in both volleyball and netball.
An enduring athlete and much-loved member of the Australian netball community, Caitlin began her professional netball career at the age of 15-years-old in 2002 in a career that spanned an incredible 18 years.
At a national league level, Caitlin retired in 2020 and finished her career as one of the most capped athletes of all time, taking to the court 230 times – becoming only the fifth person to do so.
In 2019, Caitlin retired from international level having played a total of 55 games for the Australian Diamonds over 13 years, scoring 1106 goals at 92%.
In the green and gold, Caitlin won gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2015 Netball World Cup, silvers at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2019 Netball World Cup and seven Constellation Cup titles.
Beginning her career with the Melbourne Kestrels in 2002 at 15-years-of-age, Caitlin stayed with the side as they transitioned to Melbourne Vixens in 2008, going on to win a premiership with them in 2009. In 2004, Caitlin represented Australia in women’s volleyball at the 2004 Olympics qualification stage.
Caitlin made her way to New Zealand in 2011 to play three seasons with the Central Pulse in the ANZ Championship, winning the team’s MVP in her first season.
In 2014, Thwaites returned home to Australia to join the NSW Swifts for three years, winning the club’s MVP in 2015.
With the launch of the Suncorp Super Netball league in 2017, Caitlin became one of the inaugural players for the Collingwood Magpies and won the club’s MVP in their first year.
After playing two seasons with the Magpies, Caitlin made her way back to the Melbourne Vixens where she played out the final two seasons of her career, ending on the ultimate high by helping the Vixens to a historic premiership in 2020.
An accomplished netball player who showed nothing but class on and off the court, Caitlin has been able to assist many in sharing her story as she overcame her own battle with mental health.
Caitlin’s ability to educate and connect with those around her has seen her become a much-admired role model, mentor and speaker at the community level.
