Monday 19 November, 2007

Press Release - Netball champion Liz Ellis retires on a high 

Australian netball captain and legendary player, Liz Ellis has bowed out on a high after leading the national team to World Championship glory in Auckland on Saturday night.

After a brilliant 18-year career at the top, Ellis announced her retirement, flanked by her Australian team mates, at a welcome home function hosted by major sponsor, GM Holden in Melbourne today.

Revered as a fearless, tenacious and inspirational defender, Ellis leaves the court having achieved every personal and team accolade possible, including World titles, Commonwealth Games gold, national league MVP awards and national league titles with her beloved Sydney TAB Swifts.

The 34-year-old, who is Australia’s most capped player of all time, says the timing feels right.

“Winning the World Championship proved a fairy-tale ending, and at the end of the game I just knew the time was right to finish,” Ellis said.

“I am really privileged for the career I have had and to top it off with a win like this with this great team is the perfect ending.”

Netball Australia President, Noeleen Dix paid tribute to Ellis’ outstanding contribution to the game.

“Liz will be remembered as one of the most brilliant and talented players ever to wear the green and gold. Her thrilling duels, in particular with New Zealand shooter, Irene van Dyk, are legendary,” Dix said.

“She has been an inspirational leader for Australia and the Sydney TAB Swifts and a wonderful role model for so many aspiring players. Loved by the fans, Liz is also highly respected around the world for her outstanding commitment, dedication and passion for the sport throughout an illustrious career.

“The netball community salutes this great athlete and Australian captain on her stellar career.” Dix said.

The Australian captain said her teammates and the camaraderie they shared is what she will miss the most.

“While there are things that I won’t miss – like pre-season, ice baths and fitness testing – I will miss my team-mates and the camaraderie that comes with being involved in great teams like the Swifts and the Australian side.  I look forward to starting my post-netball career and to exploring many avenues off court that will utilise the skills I have acquired as a player and a leader in some great sporting teams,” Ellis said.

Amongst the career-highs, Ellis also faced adversity when in November 2005 she injured a knee during a Test match against New Zealand and underwent a knee reconstruction, sidelining her for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

In an amazing sporting comeback, Ellis defied the odds at 33-years-of-age and steered the Sydney TAB Swifts to an historic undefeated season in 2006, won a third Commonwealth Bank Trophy title and claimed the league’s Most Valuable Player Award.

At today’s announcement, Ellis thanked her Australian and Swifts team mates and coaching staff, the fans and the people and organisations that had supported her over the years. Among the organisations acknowledged were her personal sponsors and commercial partners; Dunlop Sport, Nestle, Reliance Gripper Netballs. Whilst thanking Macquarie Bank Sports Foundation and AVON, Ellis indicated she will continue to be involved with these two companies to coach young Australians in the game she loves.

Future:

Beyond netball, Ellis wants to concentrate on her business activities, a soon-to-be-launched charitable foundation and to spend more time with her husband, Matthew.

Having chosen a sport which required the commitment of a professional athlete, but without professional salaries, Ellis was always active outside netball: completing her law degree and working as a solicitor, writing two books, sitting on numerous industry boards, running successful businesses, meeting the needs of sponsors, coaching, guest speaking and working in the media…all while performing at an elite level in her sport.

Liz Ellis heads off shortly for a well-earned break and will holiday overseas before starting the new chapter in her life: beyond netball.