Gina Crampton, a Silver Ferns midcourter and Netball World Cup winner, has announced her retirement from professional netball. Her decision comes after her final ANZ Premiership game, where she played for the Tactix against her former team, the Southern Steel, in the elimination final. Crampton’s career spanned a decade and a half, marked by significant achievements in both domestic and international netball.
Crampton reflected on her journey, stating she found peace looking back on her time in netball with a “biggest smile.” She highlighted the “unbelievable experiences,” the challenging training with teammates, the friendships forged, and the opportunity to share it all with her family. She expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to her career, acknowledging the profound impact netball had on her life.
Career highlights and achievements
Originally from Wellington, Crampton began her professional career with the Southern Steel in 2012, remaining with the franchise until 2020. During her tenure with the Steel, she secured consecutive ANZ Premiership titles in 2017 and 2018. She also captained the team and was named ANZ Premiership Player of the Year in 2019. Earlier in 2016, she received recognition as the New Zealand ANZ Championship Player of the Year in the former transtasman competition.
Internationally, Crampton debuted for the Silver Ferns in 2016 and earned 70 caps for New Zealand. She was a key member of the squad that won the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool. Her leadership extended to captaining her country, including at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Her accolades also include a Constellation Cup win.
Following her time with the Steel, Crampton joined the Northern Stars from 2021 to 2023. She later took a break from netball to join her partner, former Otago back Fa’asui Fuatai, overseas. Her return to the sport saw her join the Giants in Sydney, though she was ruled out due to pregnancy. She then served as injury cover for the Swifts this season before concluding her career with the Tactix.
Tributes from coaches
Silver Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua congratulated Crampton on her “outstanding” netball career. Taurua described Crampton as a “real student of the game,” possessing a unique ability to place the ball into space and the technical understanding of when to maintain possession. She also noted Crampton’s leadership within the team, serving as both captain and vice-captain, and her consistent positive energy and fun attitude.
Crampton’s final professional game was for the Tactix in the ANZ Premiership elimination final against the Southern Steel in Invercargill. She had been called upon by the Tactix midway through the season to provide cover after captain Erikana Pedersen sustained an injury. During her last game, Crampton had to leave the court in the second quarter, with coach Donna Wilkins later indicating she had been unwell before the match.
Crampton started the year with the NSW Swifts in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition, making several appearances before her temporary contract concluded.
Her career concludes with significant achievements, including two ANZ Premiership titles with the Southern Steel.
Source: odt.co.nz
