Latest news with #GevaMentor
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'I feel happy and content'
England netball legend Geva Mentor has said that she is "happy and content" having announced her retirement from the game. With two matches remaining in the current Super League season, the 40-year-old Leeds Rhinos defender will play in the final games of the campaign before ending her playing career."I'm very happy and content with my decision, the time is very right to retire," Mentor told BBC South Today."Last year I wasn't sure if I was ready but after a couple of games this season I knew it was right."I've been able to play the season and be competitive but I'm ready for the next chapter so I can stay at home a lot more and have less travelling."I'm ready for the next realm and to change my goals and perspectives on things. It won't be easy and I still don't know what is exactly next but I'm really looking forward to it," she added. Mentor, who is originally from Bournemouth, is now based in France with her family and since moving to the Rhinos in 2024 has had to regularly commute between her home and club. She spent 16 seasons playing in New Zealand and Australia and has appeared in more than 310 games at club was twice named the World's Best Netballer during a 24-year career. "This year I took a step back from the leadership roles to enjoy my netball," she added."When I step away from the sport I'll be able to say yes to more things I'm passionate about away from the court and that is exciting for me."I'm doing a lot of work with netball France and I could potentially continue to do that as well as coaching. I'm a big advocate for our sport and want to help push it forward."The sport has given me so much which I'm super grateful for and I want others to have a similar or better experience than I have." In their remaining Super League matches, Leeds Rhinos will face Cardiff Dragons in Sheffield on Sunday before their final game of the campaign against Nottingham Forest on 15 team have struggled this season in the league, winning just two games to leave them sitting second from bottom in the standings. "We have two more games to go and I'm excited for them," Mentor said."I just want to take to the court and perform and give my all in those final games, I want to end strong."I'm feeling very grateful at the moment, it's been crazy to think where I've come from and the journey along the way."I've stayed true to my roots and remembered where I have come from and that has kept me grounded and given me a sense of perspective all the way through."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
England legend Mentor to retire at end of season
Geva Mentor, regarded as the greatest netballer England has produced, will retire at the end of the Netball Super League 40-year-old Leeds Rhinos defender played 175 times for her country, the highlight of which was winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth played more than 310 games at club level and was twice named the World's Best Netballer during a 24-year made her Vitality Roses debut in 2000 against New Zealand aged 16 and represented her country in six World made history by becoming the first England Netball player to compete in six Commonwealth claimed bronze in the Commonwealth Games of 2006 and 2010 then won gold in 2018 when England beat Australia in the final. During her club career she has played in the ANZ Championship and Suncorp Super Netball - winning four championship titles - as well as the Super League. In 2018, Mentor was awarded a CBE for her outstanding contribution to international netball."The time has come to bring my playing career to an end," said Mentor, who also won two World Championship bronze medals with England."I am grateful to the people I've met along the way, the opportunities I've been able to experience and the memories I'll treasure forever."To my team-mates, coaches, supporters, sponsors, franchises, leagues and sport - thank you for challenging me, believing in me and allowing me to stay true to myself.""For over 20 years, she has competed at the highest level and has been one of the game's biggest superstars and an icon in British sport," said Rhinos franchise director Dan Busfield."For a young franchise like ours to have someone with the experience and professionalism of Geva playing for our club and working with our staff and young players has been game-changing."The Super League season ends on 6 July.
