Netball Super League | Eboni Usoro-Brown retires from netball

Eboni Usoro-Brown has announced that she will be retiring from playing netball at both an elite domestic and international level after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

The 34-year-old had a stellar career for both the Vitality Roses and in the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) with Team Bath Netball, with whom she enjoyed two spells with.

Usoro-Brown enjoyed tremendous success with her only VNSL club. The defender is one of the most decorated players in the league’s history as she claimed four titles in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010.

The England international also captained the Blue & Gold for six seasons between 2016-2021 after she returned from Australia with spells with West Coast Fever and Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Usoro-Brown had a year out of the sport after giving birth to her daughter Savannah but returned to the league with a vengeance in 2021, helping lead the club to the Grand Final.

This turned out to be her last game with the club as, with the 2022 Commonwealth Games on the horizon, she represented Suncorp Super Netball side Queensland Firebirds during the 2022 campaign.

On an international front, Usoro-Brown made her senior international debut against Malawi in 2008 and has recorded 116 caps to date.

She has played an integral role in England winning medals at two Commonwealth Games (2010; 2018) and three Netball World Cups (2011, 2015 and 2019) – most notably, securing gold at the Gold Coast in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

Usoro-Brown will make her final appearance in netball against New Zealand at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the bronze-medal match. The experienced GK/GD won five medals during her England career including three bronzes at Netball World Cups.

Discussing her decision, Usoro-Brown said: “It’s been one of my greatest honours to represent England Netball in a career that has spanned over 17 years.

“As a young girl it was my dream to play for England, and I proudly stand here today having amassed 116 caps, having represented the Roses in 7 major tournaments highlighted by being part of the team that created history by winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the honour of being inducted into England Netball’s Hall of Fame.

“To be a Rose is an immense privilege that I have never taken for granted. Each time that I have appeared in the red dress, I have never wanted it to be my last.

“After giving birth to Savannah in 2020, one of my goals was to make the Commonwealth Games team. It has been incredibly special over the last ten days to have my daughter sit in the crowd watching her mum continue to achieve her dreams on the world stage.

“However, it is also for this reason, on my own terms, that I have decided to retire to afford myself more time to fully focus on my young family and legal career.

“My hope is that my journey will inspire future Roses, girls and women to know that with steely determination, a support network and an unwavering belief in your own ability, absolutely anything is possible, even successful dual careers whilst being a mum.

“I’d like to thank England Netball, the England coaches and support staff that I have been fortunate to work with and the Roses squads past and present whom I have had the pleasure to play with, for believing, trusting and supporting me over the years. You’ve all become a part of my extended family and I’m grateful for the memories that will last a lifetime.

“I would also like to thank the fans who have supported me over the last 17 years. I have been extremely humbled by all of your support and well wishes that I have received.”

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