Ellis leaves netball on top

[The InnFORCEr]

David Lowden10:00 AEST Mon Nov 19 2007Text size

Australia's netball captain Liz Ellis has just announced she is retiring from all forms of the game.

Ellis leaves the game having been instrumental in Australia's ninth world championship title.

While some of her team-mates were struggling under pressure, Ellis who many rate as the world's best defender, held her nerve to lead the Aussies to a 42-38 victory over New Zealand on Saturday night in Auckland.

Ellis started playing netball at the age of eight and first played for Australia in 1993. The 34 year old has been captain since 2004 and is the most capped Australian netballer of all time with 122.

After the win on Saturday, Ellis wasn't sure about how long she could play on for. "If I could choose today, I'd play netball till I was 50, and have this moment for ever and ever and ever and ever," Ellis said.

Today Ellis revealed she had decided to quit weeks ago. "I wanted a fairytale finish and I got it, that was enough for me," Ellis said. She said her aging body was "starting to fall apart".

Australia's coach, Norma Plummer, knows there will be a massive hole to fill with Ellis deciding to go out on top.

"She's the most dogged player I've ever had the opportunity to coach, she never gives in."

Ellis is known for her motivational speeches on court and her tactical nous and it's a fair bet she will one day coach Australia. For now, she says it's time to work on her golf game.

[Skiza]

Well done to her, she was a good player

[Evie]

Today was sad with two of my favourite sportspeople, Lizzie and Darren Lehmann both announcing their retirements
Liz was an amazing player, fantastic captain and tried very hard to raise the profile of netball and I think to an extent succeeded.

[tragic]

Excellent way to go out, Liz - on top and playing like a champ. Well done