‘Top 25 of the Last 25’ leave a lasting imprint
In celebrating 25 years of elite netball leagues in New Zealand, the cream has risen to the top with the naming of the top 25 players of the past quarter century (1998 – 2022).
Selected by a panel of former coaches and players, the top 25 players represent a dazzling array of talent that has left a telling impression on netball with their contribution through their personal qualities and special brand of play.
All went on to become Silver Ferns while many became entwined as the face of their national league teams through the endeavour, spirit and unbridled joy that came with representing their province, region or franchise.
Former Silver Ferns captains Lesley Rumball and Adine Wilson were at the forefront 25 years ago, both starting out in 1998 as they went on to forge stunning records at national league level.
Both started their careers with the title-winning Rebels in 1998 before moving south to the all-conquering Southern Sting where the midcourt duo pocketed multiple titles. Rumball secured successive titles with the rampaging Sting between 2000 – 2004 while Wilson followed a similar path between 2001 – 2004 and 2007.
They were trumped by hard-nosed and passionate Sting shooter Donna Wilkins, who amassed a record seven titles with the southerners while also turning out for the Tactix and Pulse during a long an illustrious career.
During the former trans-Tasman league, it was the names of Irene van Dyk, Laura Langman and Casey Kopua who often featured in the highlights reel during a dominant period for Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
With her volume, accuracy and consistency, the ever-reliable van Dyk became the poster girl for aspiring young shooters. Defensive diva Kopua was widely admired for not just her athletic ability and quality of play but her humility and wholeheartedness. In the engine room, little midcourt maestro Langman was the bundle of relentless, energetic determination that just never gave up.
The trio were three-time champions with the Magic in 2005, 2006 and 2012. The latter title was of special significance when the Magic became the first and only New Zealand team to win the ANZ Championship.
Quintessential southern girl Wendy Frew epitomised all that was good about playing for her national league team and was loved in the south while universally admired for her team ethos during her lengthy career in the deep south.
Frew won four titles (2002 – 2004 and 2006) with the Sting while also steering the Steel to back-to-back titles in 2017 and 18. In a fitting finale, and the 176th game of her stellar 16-year career at the elite level, the popular stalwart went out a winner.
On a circuitous journey, much-travelled defender Sulu Fitzpatrick finally found her niche to deliver on her early promise to become a title winner across two teams, twice with the Pulse (2019 and 2020) before returning home and repeating the dose with the Mystics in 2021.
Crafty Steel defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit has shown her durability and longevity to amass 189 games (and still counting) across the National Bank Cup, ANZ Championship and ANZ Premiership in a remarkable career, exemplifying the spirit of playing netball at its finest.
‘Top 25 of the Last 25’ Expert Picks
Listed in alphabetical order
Temepara Bailey
Belinda Colling
Vilimaina Davu
Leana de Bruin
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Maria Folau
Wendy Frew
Anna Harrison
Joline Johansson
Casey Kopua
Laura Langman
Bernice Mene
Katrina Rore
Lesley Rumball
Sheryl Scanlan
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit
Julie Seymour
Anna Stanley
Cathrine Tuivaiti
Linda Vagana
Irene van Dyk
Jane Watson
Donna Wilkins
Adine Wilson