Silver Ferns goal shooting sensation Maria Folau has announced her retirement from all netball, having played her final match against the Australian Diamonds in the Constellation Cup series at RAC Arena in October.
Folau, who has played as goal attack and goal shooter during a decorated career, achieved 150 caps for the Silver Ferns since her debut in 2005.
The New Zealand great leaves behind a legacy filled with triumph and silverware with success at the Netball World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Netball World Youth Cup and the Fast5 Netball World Series.
Spending much of her domestic career with the Northern Mystics in New Zealand, Folau made the move across the ditch and joined the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2019.
An addition that was very much welcomed by the fans and the club, who had finished on the bottom of the ladder in 2018 and were facing a 27-game losing streak.
With Folau and Glasgow teaming up in the circle, the struggling side were able to grab a win in the opening round against the West Coast Fever.
Having scored 331 goals and 94 assists, it was Folau’s pinpoint accuracy at the post that kept the side competitive across the year.
The 32-year-old also took overall honours at the Adelaide Thunderbirds Awards Night earlier this year, being crowned the Priceline Pharmacy Club Champion.
Folau will bow out as one of the sport’s greatest shooters and the second most capped Silver Fern, behind Laura Langman.
Known for her ability to convert from anywhere within the circle, it will be her long-range prowess that will be sorely missed.
