Netball star Chelsea Pitman has announced her retirement from international netball, just six weeks after helping England secure silver at the World Cup.
Pitman, a dual international representative who played 17 games for the Australian Diamonds before pledging her allegiance to the Roses, said it was an “extremely tough decision” to walk away from the biggest stage.
The 35-year-old revealed the massive role her desire to become a mum played on her decision.
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“I never thought I’d be someone who chose to retire from the international stage, but it’s the right time for me,” Pitman revealed on Monday.
“I look at my time as a Rose, and every other opportunity I’ve had to step out on the international stage as a netballer, and it has been the best time of my life. What an epic journey. What a rollercoaster and I wouldn’t change a single thing.
“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be able to call myself a Rose, for saying ‘yes, put me up for selection!’ because if I didn’t do that, how boring my life would have been. Because I have made the best of friends, and I have made and created history.
“We achieved things that people thought were impossible for us.
“I am incredibly grateful, thankful and absolutely honoured to call myself a Rose and to have been able to have the opportunity to be part of the squad for the year coming up but, I haven’t been secretive with saying that I’ve tried to become a mum in the past and that I’ve had issues, and I think it’s time that I delve a bit deeper into why my body failed me when it comes to that.
“As a female, at some point age sadly means that dreaded ‘fertility clock’ is ticking. It’s time I do everything in my power at this present time to safe guard any opportunity to be a mum in the future (still have a season to play next year though, so you’ll still see me doing my thing next year).
“It’ll give me peace of mind knowing I’m setting myself up for a future I want after I retire from all levels of netball.
“I will always miss this.
“I will forever be grateful.”
After walking away from the Diamonds set up in 2012, Pitman went on to more than 50 appearances for England – with her final game the 2023 World Cup final against Australia.
“Chelsea wears her heart on her sleeve and her passion for the Roses and commitment to pull on the red dress is unquestionable,” England coach Jess Thirlby said.
“It not only means a lot to her, but we have been richer for having her as a Rose. Whilst it’s sad to lose Chelsea, she is so deserving of our full support as she looks to the future and we wish her all the very best.”
Pitman finishes her international career as a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and a two-time World Cup representative.
She’s a former Queensland Firebirds and West Coast Fever player, and an ex-captain of the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Pitman has also represented the Tactix and Pulse in New Zealand’s netball competition, and most recently the London Pulse in the UK in a remarkable career that has spanned across three countries.
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