‘An icon of British sport’ – England netball great Mentor to retire

At the conclusion of the Netball Super League season, Geva Mentor, regarded as England’s greatest netball player, will retire.

The 40-year-old Leeds Rhinos defender won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games with 175 caps representing her country.

In her 24-year career, she won two awards for her contributions to the world’s best netball team, including more than 310 games at the club level.

Mentor, a 16-year-old woman who has represented her country at six World Cups, made her Vitality Roses debut in 2000 against New Zealand.

She became the first person to play netball at six Commonwealth Games and become the first English player to do so.

She has won four championships with her club, the ANZ Championship, and the Super League.

For her outstanding contribution to international netball, Mentor received a CBE in 2018.

Mentor, who also won two World Championship bronze medals with England, said, “The time has come to end my playing career.”

“I’m grateful for the people I’ve met along the way, the opportunities I’ve had the chance to travel, and the memories I’ll cherish forever,” she said.

Thank you for challenging me, allowing me to remain true to myself, and thanking my team-mates, coaches, supporters, sponsors, franchises, leagues, and sports.

She has been one of the game’s biggest superstars and an icon in British sport for more than 20 years, according to franchise director Dan Busfield.

It has changed the game for a young franchise like ours to have someone with the skill and professionalism of Geva playing for our club and working with our staff and young players.