England Netball legend Geva Mentor CBE has announced that she will retire from playing at the end of the 2025 Netball Super League season after an incredible 24-year career.
The Bournemouth-born player has played at elite level in the Netball Super League, ANZ Championship and Suncorp Super Netball as well as winning 175 caps for her country and is regarded as one of the game’s best ever players, twice being named the World’s Best Netballer.
The goalkeeper, began her career with Team Bath, before moving to Australia for the first time with Adelaide Thunderbirds where she played for three seasons. She came back to the UK to play for Surrey Storm, but in 2010 she returned to Australia to play for the Melbourne Vixens for six seasons. She was named in the All-Star team three times and became the first import to make 100 appearances and won the ANZ Championship in 2014.
In 2017, she joined new franchise Sunshine Coast Lightning, where she was named captain and led them to two Suncorp Super Netball titles. She then joined Collingwood Magpies and continued to receive acclaim with a place in the Team of the Year for the third time in 2020.
In 2024, she signed for NIC Rhinos Netball, captaining the club in her first season and being an ever-present in the team for the last two seasons.
On the international scene, she enjoyed a 21-year career, making her Vitality Roses debut in 2000 against New Zealand, aged just 16. She went on to represent her country in six World Cups and made history as the first England Netball player to play in six Commonwealth Games.
She won Commonwealth bronze in 2006 and 2010 and two world championship bronze medals, before winning Gold in 2018 after beating Australia in an unforgettable Commonwealth Games Final. In 2018, Mentor was awarded a CBE for her distinguished contribution to international netball.
Speaking about the decision to call time on her career, Mentor said: “The time has come to bring my playing career to an end. 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 teammates, coaches, supporters, sponsors, franchises, leagues and sport THANK YOU for challenging me, believing in me and allowing me to stay true to myself.
“May this sport, that has been renowned to be poor in finance ,yet rich in community, continue to evolve and bring joy to all those involved through the passion and dedication of the good people.
“I’m so ready and extremely excited to be retiring; the time is very right. I know not all athletes necessarily have the opportunity to choose when, so I am super grateful to my family and NIC Leeds Rhinos in allowing me to conclude this huge chapter of my life on my terms.
“I can certainly say I’ve grown through this sport, I’ve found my identity, I’ve strengthened my values, and I’ve had a lot of fun along the way.
“It may be the end of an era for me, and as one chapter closes, here’s to another…and at least another book!”
Fran Connolly, England Netball CEO, added: “It’s definitely the end of an era as one of the stalwarts of English netball announces her retirement from the NSL.
“Her extraordinary career over more than two decades has inspired generations and on behalf of the entire netball family, I’d like to thank Geva for her unwavering dedication, her leadership and the legacy she leaves behind.
“She was such an incredible force for the Vitality Roses, and we were so fortunate to have her return to the NSL for her final couple of domestic seasons. We wish her all the very best for this next chapter.”
Dan Busfield, NIC Leeds Rhinos Franchise Director, said: “Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Geva Mentor on her outstanding career. For over twenty years, she has competed at the highest level and has been one of the game’s biggest superstars and an icon in British sport.
“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, and we are proud she has represented the Rhinos.
“I wish her all the best for the future and hope she remains involved in our sport, where her knowledge and passion will be a huge asset.”
