Stars defender Storm Purvis retires
Robinhood Northern Stars defender Storm Purvis has confirmed her retirement after a decade on court.
The Stars were keeping their fingers crossed that Storm could be given a fitting send off as she would have been celebrating 100 combined national league games against the Northern Mystics in the third place playoff, but sadly this game will not go ahead due to both Auckland teams being in COVID-19 Alert Level 3.
As a student at Auckland’s Diocesan School for Girls, she was an all-round sports star representing her school in both netball and athletics.
Her career kicked off at the tender age of 17 as a Northern Mystics training partner before she made the move down to Dunedin for University and picked up a contract with the Southern Steel. She made an impact from the first moment she made the court and after five solid seasons with the Steel she became Silver Fern 162.
Purvis moved back to Auckland where she played for the Mystics from 2017-2018. After a successful season with the Silver Ferns in 2016/17, Purvis took almost two seasons off due to knee injuries and made the decision in 2019 to focus her efforts on a return to enjoying her netball at national level playing for the Stars.
Purvis was a key member of the Stars 2019 ANZ Premiership runner up team and has again been instrumental in the side’s fresh 2020 team as one of the more experienced players.
Another knee surgery at the beginning of the year meant that Storm’s return to the court was delayed in 2020 however with COVID-19 delaying play of the ANZ Premiership she was able to focus on her recovery to take the court for Round 2 of the revised season.
Robinhood Northern Stars CEO Dianne Lasenby said Storm is renowned for her strong work ethic both on and off the court.
Purvis, who juggles her fulltime job in media with a jam-packed training and playing schedule, committed to coming back this season at full strength with a rigorous rehabilitation programme.
“This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but it has gotten to the stage where I’m confident I have made the right one. I cannot thank Kiri and the Stars enough for the past two years and helping me get to (nearly) 100 games,” Purvis said.
“Something not so long ago I honestly did not think I’d achieve in the sport. I will miss netball and it’s people more than anything, but it’s now time to put my future and wellbeing first.”