Netball Super League | Kyra Jones announces Superleague retirement

Kyra Jones, Celtic Dragons centre, has announced that she will be retiring from Vitality Superleague netball as of the end of the season.

Jones has been a Celtic Dragons player since the 2009/10 season, spending her whole Superleague career with the Welsh franchise, with the exception of 2015 when she spent a season over the bridge at Team Bath. She started her career with Celtic Dragons as an ‘import player’ before qualifying to represent her adopted nation of Wales in the 2011/12 season. In her time with Dragons, Kyra has played in excess of 150 Superleague matches and has over 50 Wales caps to her name.

As well as representing Wales in numerous Netball Europe tournaments, international tours, the 2015 Netball World Cup and 2014 & 2018 Commonwealth Games, she also played a leading role in Celtic Dragons’ grand final season in 2013.

Announcing her imminent retirement, Kyra wrote: “It is with heavy heart that I announce my retirement from the Celtic Dragons and the Superleague.

“It is amazing to think that had I not started as an import player, I would have never had come over, met my husband and stayed to play in this netball league! It has been a whirlwind of a journey and one I am very proud to say I have thoroughly enjoyed.

“From the highs and lows of each season: injuries, selection, non-selection, meeting new people and making friends for life, it has been a pleasure to be a part of and I can’t thank Celtic Dragons enough for their continued support over the past 10 years.

“I have been toying with the idea for some time now and feel this is the right time to step away. My heart and mind would continue until I am old and grey, however my body says otherwise

“For now though, it is time to continue what I started and finish this season on a high.”

Reflecting on Kyra’s announcement, Tania Hoffman, Celtic Dragons head coach said: “Kyra has been a vital member of the Celtic Dragons franchise for many years. Her desire to continually challenge herself is one of the aspects I admire her for and is something that younger players can learn from her.

“Kyra is and will continue to be a great role model for the netball community. She will be missed next season and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”

Kyra’s final home game (subject to selection) will be Saturday 27 April against Surrey Storm and her final Superleague match (again, subject to selection) will be Saturday 4 May at Loughborough Lightning.

Although stepping down from Superleague netball, Kyra remains a member of the Wales senior long squad.

Fans have two final opportunities to see Kyra in action at home. Tickets for our remaining home games against Strathclyde Sirens (13 April) and Surrey Storm (27 April) can be purchased via celticdragonsnetball.ticketline.co.uk

A copy of Kyra’s full retirement announcement can be found here: http://www.celticdragonsnetball.com/2019/04/05/kyra-jones-retirement-announcement/

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Image credit: Sporting Wales