Guthrie, who is one of GIANTS Netball’s most beloved players – both for her sheer athleticism on court and her affable nature away from the game – says that it hasn’t been an easy decision for her, but it’s one that has always been a part of her overall plan.
“It’s a big decision. It’s been an extremely difficult decision to make. Sometimes you know there’s never any easy option, but it’s the right one.
“I think for me, going home in 2019 is something that’s always kind of been in my head a little bit, even as a younger player. It’s part of my life plan and achieving the things I want to try and do in life and the other boxes I want to tick as a person.
“I knew I wanted to play internationally until 2019 if I could. As much as I love being over here, the main challenge as an import (player) remains just trying to build the other areas of my life, which is one of the reasons why I really want to go home – to start looking at the things around the game and the other parts that I identify with that I want to start building on now that I’m a little bit older,” Guthrie says.
The move is a difficult one, but Guthrie knows that it’s ultimately the only one for her.
“It’s just something that kind of feels right for me as a person, as a whole.
“It’s a big decision to make and a very tough one and one that I’ve gone back and forth on over the last couple of months, but all in all it feels right, even though I will absolutely miss the fans, the people in the organisation, even the small things like playing with Jo Harten – one of my best friends and English teammate – and being a member of the Terror Squad (the self-appointed name given to GIANTS housemates Guthrie, Harten, Jamie-Lee Price and Kristiana Manu’a), although I’m guessing my membership will be revoked after this,” she says with a laugh.
Her experience with GIANTS Netball, a Club which she joined in its inaugural season and played her 50th elite game with, is one that Guthrie believes she will look back on with no regrets and one that has had a huge impact on her as a player and a person.
“Making the decision to come and be a GIANT was the best decision I ever made in my career. I loved it in New Zealand and it was almost like stepping into the unknown again and it’s a huge change deciding to play in Suncorp (Super Netball), for a team that was completely brand new as well.
“It’s a decision that I’m extremely happy that I made and I think I’ve made the most of all my opportunities that Julie’s (Fitzgerald) been kind enough to give me over the last couple years. It really has helped me take my game to the next level and really cement my strengths as a netballer and as a defensive midcourt player. I’ve been able to add a few more strings to my bow now in the attack end with my feeding, and the way that I attack the game now is completely different to when I first moved here two years ago.
“It’s definitely the best club I think I will ever be lucky enough to have been around, so from that point it’s been an absolute privilege to be able to experience it.
“You never quite know where your potential lies and I think putting myself in a new environment has also helped me make this decision – being brave and making a change – but it’s also taught me that when you put yourself in a new environment to just go for it and give 100 percent. Then there can’t be a bad decision, because you’ve put yourself in the best possible place every single day to get the best out of yourself. That’s something that the GIANTS have definitely taught me and something I think I can continue to take forward on and off the court,” Guthrie shares.
Beyond what she’s learnt from her time with the Club, Guthrie will be taking away special friendships and connections that she has built over the last couple of years.
“I don’t know how else to say it, but they’re just the nicest group of girls I think that I’ve actually ever been around,” Guthrie says of her GIANTS teammates.
“I think the things that make you play for each other are definitely the way that you treat each other within the team environment. Even how you talk to each other, how you back each other up. All those really small things that don’t seem like a lot are things that we really focus on within the Club.
“That’s also a credit to Julie and Tania (Obst) and the environment that they try and create with us. Julie is hands down the best coach that I’ve ever had and she’s enabled me to develop in my own weird and wonderful way,” she says.
Guthrie may no longer be playing for GIANTS or in the Suncorp Super Netball league after the completion of the 2018 season, but this won’t be a total departure from netball for the superstar, as she will sign to a team in England in the near future and continue to remain available for the English International team.
Still, while she returns home and begins to build her life there, GIANTS Netball will always hold a special place in her heart.
“My heart will always be bright orange I think.
“We have the best fans. I think the orange army is incredible. I think what they bring and the energy that they’ve brought to the club is incredible. And I’m looking forward to joining the orange army from overseas and cheering hard for the GIANTS in 2019,” she concludes.
Guthrie will continue with GIANTS Netball through to the end of their 2018 Finals campaign.
