10 GREATEST NETBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME:

A Comprehensive List of Legendary Netball Icons. The list of the greatest netball players of all time is dominated by Australian legends, followed by Silver Ferns greats, in no particular order.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the most remarkable netball players ever. We will discuss their accomplishments, their profound impact on the game, and the qualities that make them stand among the best. If you believe someone needs to be added to this list, please comment below; we would love to hear from you.

ANNE SARGEANT

Anne Sargeant is one of the greatest netball players and a living legend of Australian netball. Anne began playing the sport at the age of eight and went on to represent Australia for 11 years, captaining the team for 6 of those years. During her career, she won three World Championships, including one as captain.

She also led Australia to victory in the Johnson & Johnson International Series and on an undefeated tour of England. In addition to her international success, Sargeant was a dominant force at the state level, captaining Manly-Warringah to six straight state titles and leading NSW to victory in four national titles.

After retiring from playing, Sargeant contributed to netball as a coach and selector. She is currently the National Selector for the Australian Diamonds. Sargeant is also a respected netball media commentator. Her knowledge of the game and her passion for netball make her a valuable asset to the sport.

BIANCA CHATFIELD

Bianca Chatfield is a true netball legend. She made her Test debut as an 18-year-old and went on to represent Australia for 13 years, winning gold medals at the 2007 Netball World Cup and the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Bianca Chatfield holds the distinction of being one of the youngest ever to represent the Australian netball team.

Chatfield was also a dominant force at the domestic level, winning four titles with the Melbourne Phoenix and two with the Melbourne Vixens, which she captained to victory in 2009 and 2014.

Chatfield’s career is full of highlights, but one that stands out is her 100th game for the Vixens. She became the team’s first player to reach that milestone, and she celebrated in style by leading them to victory.

Chatfield’s leadership skills were also evident when she co-captained the Australian team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She was a key part of the team’s success, and her contributions were recognized when she was named joint vice-captain.

Chatfield retired from netball in 2015, but her legacy will live on for many years. She is a role model for young netballers everywhere, and her achievements will inspire them to reach their full potential.

CATHERINE COX

Catherine Cox is a netball legend. Born in New Zealand but raised in Sydney, she spent 16 years as part of the Australian squad, making her debut against South Africa in 1997. Although she was overlooked for the 1998 Commonwealth Games and 1999 Netball World Cup, she soon reestablished herself as a key team member.

Cox went on to play at three Netball World Cups (2003, 2007, and 2011) and three Commonwealth Games (2002, 2006, and 2010). She was vice-captain of Australia’s triumphant 2011 world title side and also captained her country on seven occasions. Cox averaged more than 21 goals a game in her 108 Test appearances for Australia.

At the domestic level, Cox played more than 250 national league matches in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy and ANZ Championship. Fittingly, her final match was part of the Melbourne Vixens’ 2014 premiership team.

Cox’s achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including Australian Player of the Year in 2004 and Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019. She was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2022.

IRENE VAN DYK

Irene van Dyk is a netball legend, and the greatest netball player Silver Ferns has ever had. She is the world’s most capped netballer and has played at the highest level for over 20 years. She is a crowd favorite, known for her sure hands, perfect positioning, and uncanny accuracy.

Van Dyk was born in South Africa but moved to New Zealand in 2000. She quickly became a star for the Silver Ferns, and she helped them win the 2003 Netball World Cup and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. She was also the flag bearer for New Zealand at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Van Dyk is a true pioneer in netball. She redefined the position of goal shooters, and she helped to make the game more popular around the world. She is a role model for young netballers everywhere, and her achievements will be remembered for many years.

LIZ ELLIS

Liz Ellis is regarded by many as one of the greatest defenders ever to play the game. She is the most capped player in Australian netball history, with 122 Test appearances. She won three World Championships, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, four national league titles, and MVP awards with the Sydney Swifts.

Ellis retired from the sport at age 34, capping off a remarkable comeback from a knee reconstruction to captain Australia to the World Championship in 2007.

She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2009 and inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2011.

In 2008, Netball Australia introduced the `Liz Ellis Diamond,’ awarded annually to Australia’s most outstanding netballer of the year. This is a fitting honor to Ellis, a true legend of the sport.

MARIA FOLAU

Maria Folau is a naturally gifted shooter who has been a mainstay of the Silver Ferns for over a decade. She is one of the most feared shooters in world netball, with her uncanny ability to convert shots from all points of the circle.

Tutaia made her debut for the Silver Ferns in 2005, the same year she was part of the World Youth Championship-winning NZ U21 team. She quickly established herself as a key member of the team, and she has gone on to represent New Zealand at three Netball World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015) and three Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010, 2014).

In a significant personal milestone, Tutaia became the fourth Silver Fern to achieve 100 Test Caps at Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015. She is a true legend of the game, and her legacy will continue to inspire netballers for many years.

MO’ONIA GERRARD

Mo’onia Gerrard is a versatile defender and one of the greatest netball players of all-time who has had a successful career at both the international and domestic levels. She made her international debut in 2004 and quickly established herself as a key part of the Australian defensive end. She was a member of Australia’s victorious teams at the 2007 and 2011 Netball World Cups.

Gerrard was a tough and athletic defender who was also a skilled ball-handler. She was able to read the game well and make timely interceptions. She was also a good communicator and could organize her defensive teammates.

In addition to her international success, Gerrard has been a key player for several domestic teams. She won the ANZ Championship title with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2010. She also won the Liz Ellis Diamond in 2008 and was named the Holden Australian International Player of the Year in 2010.

SHARELLE MCMAHON

Sharelle McMahon is a legend of Australian netball. She is one of the most decorated players in the sport’s history, having won almost every accolade.

McMahon represented Australia 118 times, including three Netball World Cups and four Commonwealth Games. She was also captain of the Australian team for 12 of those matches.

In 1999, McMahon scored the match-winning goal to deliver Australia the Netball World Cup title. She finished her international career with 2520 goals at an average of just over 21 per Test.

After taking a year away from the sport in 2012 for the birth of her first child, McMahon returned to the court in the ANZ Championship with the Melbourne Vixens. She led the Vixens to the 2009 title and was named the ANZ Championship Player of the Year in 2010.

McMahon retired from netball at the end of 2013, but she continues to be involved in the sport as a commentator and coach.

TEMEPARA BAILEY

Temepara Bailey is a netball legend in her own right; although she was a late bloomer in netball, she quickly made up for lost time. She was an explosive midcourter with a dazzling array of skills, and she became one of the most influential players of her era.

Despite being one of the shortest players in international netball, Bailey’s lack of height was never a hindrance. She was an exceptional athlete with a natural talent for the game. She was also a feisty competitor who never gave up.

Bailey was a key member of the Silver Ferns for over a decade. She was a vice-captain of the team, and she played a pivotal role in many of their most memorable wins. She was also a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist.

Bailey retired from netball in 2012, but her legacy of being the greatest netball player will continue to inspire players worldwide. She was a true champion of the game and will be remembered as one of the greatest netballers of all time.

VICKI WILSON

Vicki Wilson is one of the greatest netball players and an icon of Australian netball. She was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2004 for her outstanding contribution to the sport.

Wilson represented Australia for 15 years and was arguably the world’s best goal-shooter for most of her career. She was a member of the Australian team that won three World Championships and one Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Wilson was a natural goal shooter and had a devastatingly accurate shot. She was also a strong leader and captained the Australian team for four years.

After her playing career, Wilson has continued to be involved in netball in various roles. She served as a coach, administrator, commentator, and mentor to young players. She is also a passionate advocate for the sport and its development.