Irene van Dyk is ending one of international sport's most glittering careers; the Herald reports:
Veteran Silver Ferns shooter Irene van Dyk has is stepping down from international netball.
The world's most capped shooter made the shock announcement today after informing Silver Ferns management she did not feel she was playing at the level required for selection for the Commonwealth Games.
The former South African international, who made her debut for New Zealand in 2001, has had a quiet transtasman league season with the Pulse, averaging just 27 goals per game - well down on her volume in previous seasons.
"I needed to be true to myself, I have always said I would step down when I felt the timing was right. This year (Commonwealth Games) and next year (Netball World Cup) are the most significant Netball events on our calendar, and if I can't be better than the best for the Silver Ferns, then it's my time to finish now," van Dyk said.
"I have really high expectations of myself and my match statistics over the past few months in the ANZ Championship are simply not good enough to justify taking my game to the international level."
Van Dyk's declaration comes seven weeks out from the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where the Silver Ferns are the reigning gold medallists.
"I have full confidence in Wai and the girls and there's no doubt in my mind they can win the gold medals. The Silver Ferns group has so much amazing talent and I know they will do the job!"
Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu says she understands and respects van Dyk's decision.
"Playing at the elite level for 20 years is unheard of in the game of Netball, Irene is one of the truly greats of the international game, she is the most capped player in the world and an incredible role model to all aspiring Netballers."
Van Dyk also concedes that her career wouldn't have reached the heights it has without the unwavering support of husband Christie and daughter Bianca.
Irene van Dyk first entered the New Zealand sporting consciousness when she was a crucial part of a South African side which broke New Zealand hearts at the 1995 World Championships in England. She moved to New Zealand in 2000, and quickly became a regular in the Silver Ferns. She was part of a World Championship winning side in 2003, and has two Commonwealth Games gold medals; Melbourne (2006) and Delhi (2010).
Mrs van Dyk will turn 42 in a couple of weeks, and it is remarkable that she has been able to continue playing at an elite level well beyond 40. She has always been a fierce competitor on the court, but when we met her and other Silver Ferns in Brisbane in 2006 (and got tickets to see them beat Australia!), she was exceedingly pleasant and unassuming.
We congratulate Irene van Dyk on a magnificent international netball career. Her decision to retire before the Commonwealth Games can not have been easy, but it is a testament to her integrity and her dedication to the team. She has been a giant on and off the court, and will take all sorts of replacing.
