Netball: Captain's retirement takes all by surprise

By JULIE ASH

Silver Ferns captain Bernice Mene quit as captain yesterday.

The 27 year-old's decision suprised fans and officials.

"I had been thinking about it for a couple of months," Mene said in Auckland.

"I needed to find the right time, and this is it. I just had that gut feeling.

"I've had 10 years in the New Zealand team.

"There are other challenges I want to go on to.

"I want to focus on my career at Sport Auckland."

Mene will still play for the Southern Sting in the Coca-Cola Cup after signing a year-long contract with them last year.

Mene said the dumping of former coach Yvonne Willering had no influence on her decision.

"I had to remove myself from that and think about what I wanted to do," she said.

"It was a decision I really kept to myself and my family."

With this year's Commonwealth Games and next year's world championships on the horizon, Mene said the decision to retire was not an easy one.

"It was a huge decision to make, but the international calendar has become a lot more hectic."

Mene made her first appearance for New Zealand in 1992 when she was 17.

New Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said last night that she had been unaware of Mene's decision to retire.

"It was a big shock. I haven't been able to speak to Bernice yet, but obviously she leaves big shoes to fill.

"She's had a huge part in New Zealand netball and I was really looking forward to working with her."

With the Silver Ferns' making a three-test tour of Jamaica next month, Aitken said Mene's retirement had left a big gap in the defence end and a question-mark over the leadership.

She said: "Next weekend at the trials we'll evaluate, but it is an opportunity for someone else."