Robinson will lead the Magpies for a third consecutive season but with company in 2019, as English-born defender and former Sunshine Coast Lightning captain, Mentor, brings her internationally renowned game to the Collingwood defensive arc.
Robinson, the inaugural captain of Magpies Netball, boasts an incredible resume. She played 61 tests for Australia in mid-court and made history in 2014 by becoming the first two-time winner of netball’s highest individual honour, the Liz Ellis Diamond.
Mentor’s formidable game and authority have made her a natural leader through the course of an incredible career. The Lightning won the first two SSN championships with Mentor as captain.
Completing the leadership team, energetic mid-courter, Kelsey Browne, will be supporting the pair as vice-captain.
Browne joined Collingwood following of the conclusion 2018 season after two seasons with Lightning’s dual premiership side. Browne’s hard work on-court was recently rewarded with Australian Diamonds selection. The 27 year-old wore the green and gold in both the 2018 Quad Series and Constellation Cup.
“The club has great confidence in Madi, Geva and Kelsey to place the Pies in a position of success for the 2019 season.”
General Manager of Women’s Sport, Jane Woodlands-Thompson, said with a busy schedule including World Championships mid-year and a lengthened season, a co-captaincy model will help share the responsibility across the group.
“The club felt that for this year, due to having two world-class candidates with differing leadership specialisations, a model of co-captains was the best fit for our team,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
“Madi Robinson has been part of the Magpies Netball journey since its inception and is extremely connected to our Collingwood values and expectations.
“Alongside Madi, we look forward to the new perspective that Geva can bring to the team with her extensive national and international experience. Knowing her ability to step up in the big moments and bring the team along with her, we’re excited to see what 2019 holds with her on our side.
“The club has great confidence in Madi, Geva and Kelsey to place the Pies in a position of success for the 2019 season.”
The appointment of co-captains Robinson and Mentor completes Collingwood’s leadership structure for 2019. Earlier today Scott Pendlebury was re-appointed captain of Collingwood’s AFL team for a sixth season, with Steph Chiocci captaining the Collingwood AFLW team for a third year.
