After an illustrious career at the top level, former Australian Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett has called time on her netball career.
Bassett first debuted for Australia back in 2008 against England and has represented the country on 102 occasions.
There are many highlights for Diamonds #150 which include two Netball World Cup victories (2011 and 2015) and a Commonwealth Games gold medal (2014).
Although, one moment that stands out was her winning goal that gave the Australian Diamonds the gold medal in a 58-57 victory against the New Zealand Silver Ferns at the 2011 World Cup.
In 2015, the former Diamonds captain made history being the first goaler to take out netballs highest honour in the Liz Ellis Diamond award after a standout season both in the ANZ Championship and on the international stage.
Bassett is the fifth Diamond to notch up 100 international caps in the green and gold and was a prolific goaler on the international stage having scored 2863 goals for Australia at 90 per cent accuracy.
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Bassett's career started in her home state of Western Australia playing for the Perth Orioles and West Coast Fever from 2005 to 2016
In 2017, Bassett made the move to the Sunshine Coast when she joined the Lightning in the clubs inaugural season.
She played a key role in the clubs early success, helping the team win back-to-back premierships in 2017 and 2018. Her performance in the 2018 Grand Final saw her get Player of the Match against her former club in the West Coast Fever.
In 2019, she made the move to Giants Netball where she spent two seasons before making the move across the ditch to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic for the 2021 ANZ Premiership season.
While it wasn't the farewell to the sport that she would of liked, the prolific goal shooter said that she gets the chills thinking about her career.
“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.”
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich, who also coached Bassett at the Fever, said that she's 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.”