De Bruin announces retirement from international Netball
August 17, 2016
Silver Ferns defender Leana de Bruin has announced her retirement from international Netball.
She leaves the international arena having played 138 Test Matches - 104 for New Zealand and 34 for her country of birth, South Africa, and in the World 7 team in 2000 - in a career that has spanned nearly twenty years at the elite level.
A world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, de Bruin played at three Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010, 2014) and a record five Netball World Cups (1999 – RSA, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015).
After a strong season with the Cold Power Magic in the ANZ Championship, which saw her lead her team to back-to-back New Zealand Conference titles, de Bruin said she felt the time was right.
“I have had a fantastic season with the Magic and an incredible career with the Silver Ferns. I came into trials ready to give it my best, but my body was telling me it was time,” de Bruin said.
“When I first pulled on the Black Dress in 2003 against England I never would have thought I’d go on to play 100 Test Matches for the Silver Ferns. The support that I have received along this journey is something that I will forever be grateful for.
“This is the end of one very long and memorable chapter, but for now I’m looking forward to further ways I can give back to Netball and of course being a rugby mum and spending more time with my son Caleb. We’re both excited about the adventures we have in front of us.”
Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby says de Bruin has been an incredible servant to the game and an outstanding contributor to the Silver Ferns.
De Bruin has had a remarkable Netball career and has been a cornerstone of the Silver Ferns defensive end for over a decade. Her passion for the game and the Black Dress is an example to all, as is her work ethic, leadership and determination to be the best.
She leaves the international arena having played 138 Test Matches - 104 for New Zealand and 34 for her country of birth, South Africa, and in the World 7 team in 2000 - in a career that has spanned nearly twenty years at the elite level.
A world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, de Bruin played at three Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010, 2014) and a record five Netball World Cups (1999 – RSA, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015).
After a strong season with the Cold Power Magic in the ANZ Championship, which saw her lead her team to back-to-back New Zealand Conference titles, de Bruin said she felt the time was right.
“I have had a fantastic season with the Magic and an incredible career with the Silver Ferns. I came into trials ready to give it my best, but my body was telling me it was time,” de Bruin said.
“When I first pulled on the Black Dress in 2003 against England I never would have thought I’d go on to play 100 Test Matches for the Silver Ferns. The support that I have received along this journey is something that I will forever be grateful for.
“This is the end of one very long and memorable chapter, but for now I’m looking forward to further ways I can give back to Netball and of course being a rugby mum and spending more time with my son Caleb. We’re both excited about the adventures we have in front of us.”
Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby says de Bruin has been an incredible servant to the game and an outstanding contributor to the Silver Ferns.
De Bruin has had a remarkable Netball career and has been a cornerstone of the Silver Ferns defensive end for over a decade. Her passion for the game and the Black Dress is an example to all, as is her work ethic, leadership and determination to be the best.