Australian champion Caitlin Bassett has announced her retirement from the sport, following an illustrious career in the green and gold.
Bassett, 33, represented her country as Diamond #150 on 102 occasions, debuting against England in Newcastle in 2008.
The former Australian captain’s career highlights include two Netball World Cup victories (2011 and 2015) and a Commonwealth Games gold medal (2014).
A prolific goal shooter, Bassett scored the winning goal in the 2011 Netball World Cup final to secure victory 58-57 against the New Zealand Silver Ferns.
In 2015, Bassett became the first shooter to win netball’s highest honour, the prestigious Liz Ellis Diamond, after stand-out domestic and international seasons.
Bassett is just the fifth Diamond to have played over 100 tests in the green and gold and has scored 2863 goals for the nation at 90 per cent accuracy.
Bassett began her professional career in her home state of Western Australia with the Perth Orioles then the West Coast Fever from 2005 to 2016.
She joined the Sunshine Coast Lightning in 2017, where she was a critical attacking player in a successful era, winning consecutive premierships and capping off the 2018 title with an MVP performance in the Grand Final against her former club the Fever.
From 2019 to 2020 Bassett signed with Sydney-based GIANTS Netball, before crossing the Tasman to play for the Waikato Bay Plenty of Magic for the 2021 ANZ Premiership season.
“Netball has been such a huge part of my life and I still pinch myself looking back at the incredible experiences I’ve had both on and off the court,” Bassett said.
“While it isn’t the fairy tale ending I wanted and I am disappointed, the support I have received over the last 18 months, in particular, has been amazing.
“This sport has given me so much and I still plan on being involved. I want to give back and help others navigate the challenges I have overcome and continue to grow the game.”
Origin Australian Diamonds Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich, who also coached Bassett at West Coast Fever, said she is a champion of the game.
“Throughout Caitlin’s incredible career, she has inspired many young Australians both on and off the court and she is as a champion of our game,” Marinkovich said.
“Caitlin’s accuracy under extreme pressure, her ability to position under the most physical pressure and her passion for the game made her a major asset to the Diamonds and a threat to all opposition teams.”
Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan thanked Bassett for her contribution to the sport.
“It has been a privilege for netball fans right across the world to witness Caitlin’s dominance in the goal circle,” Ryan said.
“Caitlin has made an enormous contribution to netball, and we congratulate her on an incredible career.”
World Netball wish Bassett all the very best for the future and thank her for her significant contribution to the sport.