Special accolade for former Silver Ferns great
December 16, 2016
As Silver Fern No 75, mercurial midcourter Sandra Edge left an indelible imprint which was recently honoured at Netball New Zealand HQ with the unveiling of the Sandra Edge Room.
From the young girl who played a number of sports simply because she loved to compete, Netball soon became her sport of choice, Edge going on to inspire a generation of players with her free-spirited approach to the game and dazzling array of skills.
Humble and modest on the sidelines, Edge changed the way the game was played, lighting up arenas around the world with her exploits while cementing her position as a national treasure with both the purist and the uninitiated alike.
Twenty years after hanging up her bib, Edge is still deeply involved in the sport which has played such a significant role in her life. She has had a long and varied coaching career, her role as Coach Development Officer with Netball Central creating further opportunities, including her recent appointment as Central Pulse assistant coach for 2017.
“I was blown away and just really honoured,” Edge said. “Netball has been a huge part of my life, I’ve always loved the game and its people… I still do and that’s why I’m still involved.
“It makes you think about all the people who are involved and how cool they are. They think the same way as you do, about what the sport does for people and how it can enrich the lives of others.
“There’s a fabulous sense of humour within the sport, incredible capability, diversity and is full of forward thinkers who work collaboratively… it’s just a real people sport.”
Edge said the occasion was made more special when she was joined by a group of other coach leaders from around the country.
“They’re just the most fabulous group of women, so it was neat to share it with them,” she said.
Edge captained the NZU21 team in 1982, making her debut for the Silver Ferns in 1985.
Nine years after making her international debut, Edge became the Silver Ferns 17th captain, leading a new generation of players in the twilight of her career.
From the young girl who played a number of sports simply because she loved to compete, Netball soon became her sport of choice, Edge going on to inspire a generation of players with her free-spirited approach to the game and dazzling array of skills.
Humble and modest on the sidelines, Edge changed the way the game was played, lighting up arenas around the world with her exploits while cementing her position as a national treasure with both the purist and the uninitiated alike.
Twenty years after hanging up her bib, Edge is still deeply involved in the sport which has played such a significant role in her life. She has had a long and varied coaching career, her role as Coach Development Officer with Netball Central creating further opportunities, including her recent appointment as Central Pulse assistant coach for 2017.
“I was blown away and just really honoured,” Edge said. “Netball has been a huge part of my life, I’ve always loved the game and its people… I still do and that’s why I’m still involved.
“It makes you think about all the people who are involved and how cool they are. They think the same way as you do, about what the sport does for people and how it can enrich the lives of others.
“There’s a fabulous sense of humour within the sport, incredible capability, diversity and is full of forward thinkers who work collaboratively… it’s just a real people sport.”
Edge said the occasion was made more special when she was joined by a group of other coach leaders from around the country.
“They’re just the most fabulous group of women, so it was neat to share it with them,” she said.
Edge captained the NZU21 team in 1982, making her debut for the Silver Ferns in 1985.
Nine years after making her international debut, Edge became the Silver Ferns 17th captain, leading a new generation of players in the twilight of her career.