MARIA FOLAU: A LOOK AT NZ NETBALL LEGEND CAREER AND LIFE
Maria Folau has become a well-known name in netball due to her exceptional skills on the court. She has made a name for herself and become a role model for aspiring netball players worldwide.
Maria Folau’s talent and dedication have made her a force to be reckoned with in netball. Her achievements have not only brought her success but have also significantly impacted the game of netball.
EARLY LIFE AND CAREER
Maria Folau was born on February 18, 1987, in Tonga. Her family migrated to New Zealand when she was young, where she discovered her passion for netball. At 11, Folau began playing netball and quickly rose through the ranks.
In 2005, she made her debut for the Silver Ferns, showcasing her versatility by playing in multiple positions on the court. Folau’s height of 188cm gives her an advantage on the court, and she has played both as a shooter and a defender, making her a valuable asset to any team.
SENIOR CAREER
In her senior international career, Maria Folau secured gold medals at the 2010 and 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2009 World Netball Series. She also earned a silver medal at the 2007 World Netball Championships.
Famous for clutch goals, Maria Folau notably scored in the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medal match against Australia and during the 2011 ANZ Championship, securing a last-second victory against the Magic.
In 2014, she entered the Mt. Albert Grammar School Hall of Fame.
After a nine-season stint with the Northern Mystics, Folau joined the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2018 for the Suncorp Super Netball 2019 season. She excelled as the Thunderbirds’ top goal scorer, winning the club’s best and fairest award before leaving at the season’s end.
Folau represented New Zealand in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 Netball World Cup.
In December 2019, Netball New Zealand announced her retirement from domestic and international netball. Following Laura Langman, she concluded her career with 150 caps for the Silver Ferns, ranking as her nation’s second-most capped player.
MARIA FOLAU HUSBAND
Maria Folau is married to the Tongan Australian rugby player Israel Folau. They tied the knot on November 15, 2017, in Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales. The wedding took place in an intimate outdoor ceremony. Following the marriage, she changed her surname from Tuta’ia to Folau.
MARIA FOLAU -ACHIEVEMENTS
International Achievements
Maria Folau has enjoyed a successful international netball career, representing New Zealand in various tournaments.
| Tournament | Year | Team | Result |
| Commonwealth Games | 2006 | New Zealand | Gold |
| World Netball Championships | 2007 | New Zealand | Silver |
| Commonwealth Games | 2010 | New Zealand | Silver |
| World Netball Championships | 2011 | New Zealand | Gold |
| Commonwealth Games | 2014 | New Zealand | Gold |
| Netball World Cup | 2015 | New Zealand | Runners-up |
| Fast5 Netball World Series | 2016 | New Zealand | Gold |
| Quad Series | 2017 | New Zealand | Winners |
| Commonwealth Games | 2018 | New Zealand | Silver |
Domestic Achievements
Maria Folau has also had a successful domestic netball career.
| Tournament | Year | Team | Result |
| ANZ Championship | 2008 | Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic | Winners |
| ANZ Championship | 2012 | Northern Mystics | Runners-up |
| ANZ Championship | 2013 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | Runners-up |
| ANZ Championship | 2014 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | Winners |
Individual Achievements
Maria Folau has won several individual awards throughout her career. Her awards list includes some of the most precious netball awards.
| Award | Year |
| ANZ Championship Player of the Year | 2014 |
| ANZ Championship All-Star Team | 2014 |
| Netball New Zealand Player of the Year | 2015 |
| Netball New Zealand People’s Choice Award | 2017 |
| Fast5 Netball World Series Most Valuable Player | 2018 |
Moreover, she has scored over 5,000 goals in her career, showcasing her consistency and accuracy on the court.
MARIA FOLAU -INFLUENCE ON THE GAME
Maria Folau’s impact on netball extends beyond her achievements. She has inspired countless netball players around the world, particularly those from the Pacific Islands, and helped raise the profile of netball in these regions. Her success has encouraged more young people to take up the sport.
Folau has also been a strong advocate for diversity in netball. In 2019, she spoke out against Netball New Zealand’s decision to force players to wear skirts instead of shorts during the ANZ Premiership, arguing that the policy was discriminatory and did not consider some players’ cultural and religious beliefs.
Her stance sparked a national conversation about the issue, and Netball New Zealand eventually changed its policy to allow players to wear shorts.
Maria Folau’s impact on the netball world is undeniable. Her impressive career and numerous achievements have made her a role model for aspiring netball players worldwide. Beyond her individual success, Folau has also been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the sport.
Her retirement from international netball marks the end of an era, but her influence on the game will continue to be felt for years. As she transitions into the next phase of her life, it is clear that Folau will continue to be a positive force within and beyond the netball community. Her legacy will inspire generations of netball players to come.
CONCLUSION
Maria Folau’s impact on netball cannot be overstated. She has achieved numerous accolades throughout her career, including being named the Silver Ferns’ all-time leading scorer and winning multiple ANZ Premiership titles. Her retirement from international netball in 2019 marked the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to inspire future netball players.
FAQS
Maria Folau retired from netball in 2019, citing a desire to focus on her family and personal life. She had also been dealing with controversy about her husband’s public statements.
Maria Folau was 32 years old when she retired from netball in 2019.
Maria Folau had many accomplishments in netball, including winning multiple World Cup and Commonwealth Games medals with the Silver Ferns and multiple ANZ Premiership titles with the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the Northern Mystics.
Maria Folau significantly impacted the sport of netball both as a player and as a role model for young athletes. She helped raise the sport’s profile and inspired many young girls to take up netball.
