Ferns legend bows out
If it was up to Maria Folau, she would have ‘‘slipped off into the sunset’’ without even a statement from Netball New Zealand.
But Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua was pleased they were able to publicly acknowledge the star shooter’s retirement, given her contribution to the black dress over the past 14 years.
Folau’s retirement was confirmed yesterday – the same day next month’s Nations Cup squad was announced – the 32-year-old bowing out with little fuss, Netball NZ’s press release containing not a single quote from the player herself. Instead it was up to Taurua to acknowledge the career of one of the sport’s greats.
‘‘She’s a very private person and I’m really happy, even though it contradicts everybody’s thinking, that we were able to . . . at least pay a little bit of a tribute to her,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘I’d love to be able to do it in a better way . . . actually acknowledge and celebrate her involvement in netball.
‘‘But if she had it her own way she would’ve just slipped off into the sunset and not said anything. She just wanted to finish netball and do it quietly.’’
While there were hints that Folau would be calling it quits, visibly emotional in her final game on home court during October’s Constellation Cup, Taurua said it was only on Monday that Folau made a final decision to end her professional career.
‘‘I knew the end was near,’’ she said. ‘‘It was just about waiting for Maria to make that final decision that she was retiring.
‘‘Usually you know when players are ready to finish, whether that’s performancebased, but there was never any doubt about her ability to be playing at an elite level.
‘‘But she’s been involved in the sport for so long, since she was 18, and done 150 tests and has been a consistent player for a long period of time, so like always there comes a time when people are keen to take on a different part of their lives.
‘‘You get to a time when you’re ready and you need to look at other things and what other areas
■ Silver Ferns debut: v Jamaica in 2005
■ Played 150 tests for New Zealand
Major honours:
■ World Cup winner in
2019
■ Commonwealth Games gold medallist 2006,
2010
Maria Folau wanted to bow out quietly but made a huge impact as one of the greatest Silver Ferns.
you want to either improve or go into because netball is such a massive commitment.’’
Taurua did not believe Folau’s husband, Israel Folau’s, highprofile lawsuit against Rugby Australia was the catalyst for her decision. In fact, she said it was a testament to her professionalism that Folau was able to play such a crucial role in New Zealand’s
Netball World Cup triumph despite her husband’s legal battle occurring in the public eye.
‘‘I don’t believe so, I believe it’s just that the time is right,’’ she said. ‘‘Any time she was with us, and leading into the World Cup and the Constellation Cup, she was 100 per cent committed and focused to do what she needed to.’’
‘‘Even though there was a lot of
Maria Folau finished her Silver Ferns career in the best possible way, as a world champion.